Midfielder's thoughts after the draw at the Ricoh Arena
Gary Deegan has fitted into the Town side well since joining over the Summer and put in another good performance in the draw away to Coventry City.
Deegan feels Shrewsbury did well to earn a point at the Ricoh Arena and was particularly pleased with their transformation in the second half:
“Coming here you expect a tough game because they are a big club. They gave us that in the first half and if I am honest I think we were lucky to go in 0-0 but we came out second half and changed a few things and we looked better. The manager switched a few things and gave a few of us a rocket and it worked and we came out the second half a different team. I think we maybe showed them a bit too much respect in the first half but we came out in the second half and got closer and robbed them and created chances, we matched them up and it worked. We will look back at this game over the course of the season and a draw at the Ricoh, we will take that.”
The 28-year-old believes they can improve on the performance and praised the defence for shutting out the opposition:
“I think we were unlucky not to nick it right at the end. We had chances all through the game and it a good platform now for us to kick on. The clean sheet gives us confidence, when you know you have four people willing to put their body on the line and a keeper behind then it gives us massive confidence and we showed good character. We are definitely heading in the right direction. Mid-week we did well as well against a Championship team so it is all building blocks.”
Shrewsbury have an abundance of young players amongst their ranks and the midfielder picked out Ethan Jones and Ivan Toney for their maturity against the former Premier League team:
“Ethan is a bright spark. He is a bit rough on the edges but the gaffer and Jacko will work on him and it shows great confidence from the manager to put him in at such a big place away from home so fair play to the kid. I worked with Ivan when he was at Northampton and I saw what he had there. It is no surprise Newcastle took him on. He is big and strong and has ability and hopefully he can get goals for us this year.”
Shrewsbury Town is the tenth club in Deegan’s twelve year senior career but the Irishman has settled in well since joining the club earlier in the summer:
“I am enjoying my time here. The gaffer embraces what I am about and it is nice to be at a club where you feel appreciated and valued. I go about my business and let other people do what they have to do. All the players have to be going in the right direction and I feel that is the case here. It is a good dressing room and there is good spirit so long may that continue.”
The former Southend man was looking ahead to the trip to Charlton on Tuesday night and he thinks Shrewsbury can put in a good performance:
“Charlton is another big club to go to and all we can do is build on today and put in good preparation on Monday and go again on Tuesday. There are massive clubs in this league and you cannot underestimate any team up and down the league. We have to concentrate on what we have to do and we will be alright.”