Manager's Thoughts On Friendly Loss To Blues
“We wanted to come out of this week learning,” added Micky.“We had chances and had a lot of stuff flashing across the face of the goal that maybe at another time we knock in but like we said it’s pre-season. We got all or most of the players more time under their belts. We wanted a tough week this week and we’re certainly getting that and we wanted to learn about the group. We didn’t want to be winning games comfortably not learning anything so we believe we’re doing that."
This was Town’s second pre-season game out of three against Championship sides – all within one week and Micky feels this testing week will benefit his side.
"Jayson played 90 minutes on Saturday and we wanted to give Callum some experience and he’s got a game under his belt,” said Micky.
“It’s great because we want to try and bring the youngsters through and bring them on and he absolutely wasn’t at fault for any of the goals. It was just some sloppiness that you get at this time of the season, but we’re glad that we are getting it at this time of the season and not when the real stuff starts.”
Micky decided to surprise a few with his goalkeeping selection with first-team regular Jayson Leutwiler replaced by former Academy graduate Callum Burton, with Shaun Rowley taking the place of the injured Mark Halstead on the bench, something Micky was pleased to be able to do. “I think we had most or all of the possession but we gave away a crazy goal after two minutes. You just can’t do that at any level.
“We kept passing and moving it about well and keeping good possession but they were always a threat on the counter attack, I think that’s the way Birmingham play now but I’m standing there feeling shocked as most of the players must have felt.
“You look at the scoreboard and its two-nil and we haven’t really done a great deal wrong. But when you play against teams at this level you can’t give goals away like that and at two-nil down that really shaped the game and shaped Birmingham’s attitude that they didn’t need to come and get a third goal.
“I don’t remember our goalkeeper having to make any saves after that or us being cut apart. They looked dangerous on the break and have some pace up there but I thought we dealt with it reasonably well.
“The game didn’t have any real thrust or anything to it so it’s a difficult one to try and gage and I think the story of the night is you can’t give away cheap and sloppy goals like that and expect to get anything from games against Championship teams."
“I’m standing here after about 25 minutes thinking ‘how the hell are we two-nil down,” said Micky.
Micky admits to feeling shocked at the scoreline.
A second minute goal from City’s Wes Thomas after a short back-pass from Mark Ellis handed the Blues the lead before another defensive lapse in concentration allowed Jacques Maghoma to slide in Clayton Donaldson for the second after just 15 minutes.
Shrewsbury boss Micky Mellon admits his side conceded two sloppy goals against Championship side Birmingham City, something that will always cost you games.