Skipper looks back at Charlton
Adam El-Abd was deflated after Shrewsbury were beaten 3-0 by Charlton which made it their third consecutive league game without getting on the scoresheet.The defender was disappointed with the way the side conceded the goals.
“We are really disappointed,” said Adam.
“I thought we started the game well and then we had a 15 minute spell of madness really. We gave the first goal away, their left winger has probably done well on their part but for us it was avoidable and they have punished us with a great finish.
“For the second goal apparently it was hand ball, I haven’t seen it but that what’s the boys were saying and we were unlucky not to get the decision. Then the third goal obviously is in minutes and that is avoidable too.
“From then on you are chasing the game so it was a disappointing evening and we have to put it to bed because the games are coming thick and fast. If you give silly goals away against anyone you are going to have problems and we have to defend better and be harder to score against.”
The 31-year-old was confident of his side putting in a solid display after their past two results but he did acknowledge the strength of Shrewsbury’s opponents as a possible cause of their slow start to the campaign.
“We came here full of confidence on the back of last week having won and drawn and put in good performances,” admitted Adam.
“We came here thinking we would do the same again but it wasn’t to be and that is football sometimes. If we can get the win on Saturday we can put this to bed.
“It has been a tough start obviously with Huddersfield in the cup as well. They are all big clubs but even so we thought we could come here and get a result and we are very disappointed that we weren’t able to.”
El Abd was impressed with new recruits George Waring and Mohamed el Ouariachi Choulay who have both joined on loan from Stoke and he feels the squad will improve with time.
“The boys that have come in have only had one session before the game today so they did really well,” said the Skipper.
“The gaffer has lots of options which will bode well for the squad and hopefully we can put it right on Saturday and get a win on the board.
“There is a good group and the gaffer has recruited 10 new players so the squad is still gelling. It is back to the drawing board now.”
The former Brighton player believes the squad’s focus has to be on tightening up at the back before they entertain Chesterfield at the New Meadow on Saturday.
“Every game is difficult but if we can do the basics and defend properly and don’t give goals away we will have a chance of winning the game, it is simple really,” said Adam.
“I think it goes without saying that after nights like tonight we have to go back to basics and focus on being solid in defence. It doesn’t matter if it is Charlton or anyone we have to defend better.”