Boss Claims Town Got Exactly What They Wanted
Shrewsbury Town manager Micky Mellon says his side’s 4-1 victory over Tranmere Rovers provided him with everything he wanted.Two goals in the first-half from Tyrone Barnett and Liam McAlinden put Town in control and, despite Tranmere’s trialist putting them back into the game at the beginning of the re-start, Town made sure of the victory thanks to goals from substitutes James Collins and Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro.
It was Town’s second consecutive friendly against opposition from the Vanarama Conference and Micky was delighted at what his side have taken from today’s visit to Prenton Park.
“Much like the Kidderminster game we got exactly what we wanted to get out of the game,” said Micky.
“I’m happy with everything we got out of it.
“Tranmere, I thought, did really, really well especially after half-time when they asked us a lot of questions but again, it’s what we wanted and the reasons for that were what we’ve just spoken about. The reasons we come here are for those very moments that we can learn from.
“We’ll be able to come in on Monday and say ‘remember when that happened’ and make sure we do this really, really well and that all goes towards making us ready for that first game of the season.”
Town shaded a keenly contested opening 45 but were put under pressure for large periods of the second-half from a team featuring former Salop player Andy Mangan.
“We’re probably disappointed, we felt we gave the ball away needlessly at times or without the quality that we’d shown in the first-half and when you’re doing that you’re giving control of the game away, which we had in the first-half,” admitted Micky.
“But I think after that spell we made a couple of changes – we brought on Abs (Abu Ogogo) and big James Collins and I think that we got the message in that we had to start making some little passes and regain some control again.
“It’s stood us in good stead for next week and that’s the very reason why we came here and I think we finished the game in control and we’d have to be happy with the work out.”
Town’s back-line were worked extremely hard this afternoon, with stopper Jayson Leutwiler being called into action several times during the first-half. What Tranmere lacked, Town showed in abundance as their four forwards showed their ruthlessness in front of goal.
“Tranmere had their moments and Jayson’s made an unbelieveable save in the first-half from a couple of set-plays that we’ll need to get better at as well but on the whole we’re delighted,” added Micky.
“We were clinical. When you’re 2-0 up away from home it maybe gives the home team that opportunity to be that wee bit braver with us trying to protect things – something we spoke about at half-time. Again, it’s all about growing as a team and I’m really pleased that we came here today and learned a lot about the group.
“It’s always nice (when strikers score) as they want to score goals so it’ll keep them happy for now.”
Jean-Louis, who is still waiting to be signed up on a new deal along with Jermaine Grandison, was on the scoresheet again as he continued his good form, and with the new season under one-week away, Micky is determined to have the situation resolved.
“It’s a great header and he comes on and shows us exactly what he’s capable of so hopefully we can fix that over the next few days and get the boy settled in,” added Micky. “I’m hopeful we can get that sorted out. There are things happening behind the scenes that we’re hoping to get done in order to make that happen.”