Gaffer declares his side “ready” after warm-up victory
By Matt Johnson
Town signed off the pre-season campaign in style with a hard-fought 3-2 triumph over Patrick Vieira’s Manchester City EDS leaving boss Graham Turner in optimistic mood ahead of the League One curtain raiser next weekend.
Birthday boy Tom Bradshaw netted a brace after Aaron Wildig put Town ahead with the visitors’ two goals not enough to prevent back-to-back pre-season victories for Turner’s troops at the Greenhous Meadow.
“It’s been another good workout,” said Turner.
“Manchester City were very sharp, played out from the back and had a number of good players in their side, which you would expect. But I thought we handled most things well.
“We were good going forward on occasions and we played good longer balls at times, just picking people out with the forward runs and it was encouraging with the number of chances we created.
“I’m disappointed the way we conceded a goal immediately after we scored and that’s unforgivable. The culprits know who they are, they’ve accepted the blame and we’ve got to make sure we don’t do it again.”
With MK Dons making the trip to the Meadow for the inaugural tie of the season next Saturday, Turner is adamant that is squad is now fully prepared and ready for the challenge, but admits that the size does need addressing.
“I think we look in good shape. I think we’ve worked tremendously hard in all aspects of our pre-season. It’s been very hot on some of the days and the players have worked hard, the attitude in the dressing room is first class, so I think it’s a squad that is prepared as well as it could’ve been and they are ready.
“The size of the squad is of concern. The quality and spirit is there, but it’s just with the games coming thick and fast early season, we need the numbers increasing. We’ve got to make sure that whoever we bring in comes in with the right sort of character that’s required in the dressing room, because it’s very good at the moment, and also have the ability to improve the team.”
Trialist Michael Santana was an unused substitute against Man City and is someone Turner is keen to look at further having impressed in training.
“He’s a Spanish lad that’s had a few days training with us. Somebody recommended him and brought him down. I didn’t think it was an opportune moment to put him on today, so we’ll see how he continues to go in training before making a decision.
“He’s showed a degree of ability in training and we might have to wait for the first reserve match for him to see some action.
An agent has recommended this boy, who’s from the Canary Islands, and in the first few days he’s trained with us he’s shown a fair amount of ability, so it’s worth persevering until we have a look at him in a game.”
Watch the full interview with GT on SHREWS PLAYER