Gaffer's thoughts after Rochdale defeat
It was a great game but that won’t be much of a conciliation:“The disappointing thing was the start. Rochdale were prepared to run harder for the first 20 minutes. Also basic defensive errors in the box cost us goals and that’s what lost us the game.”
“We usually make good starts to games but today we just couldn’t get going. We spoke before the game about how Rochdale play and we felt prepared. At half time we had our tails up as we got back into the game but we couldn’t capitalise on that momentum.”
Did half time come at the wrong time for Shrewsbury?
“I think so. The whistle came too early for us. It makes it even more frustrating that we had the whole of the second half and still couldn’t find a goal. If someone came to me before the game and said we would score twice in the first half against Rochdale then I would be expecting to win the game but it didn’t happen for us.”
You caused Rochdale lots of problems
“We don’t get any points for the amount of attacks we had against Rochdale. The disappointing thing is one or two lapses in concentration has gone against us and the poor defending has caused us the defeat. The forwards and keeper for us today were faultless but we have been punished for one or two errors which is disappointing.”
You seem to play attacking football wherever you go
“I like to set my team up to attack. But there are two sides to football and defending is also key. If you run forward then you have to run back, it is a basic rule of football. The team I pick has to be able to do both of those.”
Moving in right direction overall recently?
“When you look at the performance overall and take out the rare moments where we lacked focus then we have been playing extremely well. To have to come here and score four to win the game is giving yourself and awful amount to do so we have to switch on at moments and do the basics well. We need to give the magicians we have upfront a chance by doing the basics well first.”