Ian Black talks to the press ahead of Chesterfield
Ian Black believes it is key Shrewsbury cut out individual errors in order to get their first win on the season.Town take on second placed Chesterfield on Saturday, hoping to pick up three points.
Black was part of the team which was beaten 3-0 at Charlton on Tuesday night and he admitted that he was disappointed with the result and wasn’t afraid to demand more from his teammates.
“I just think the goals we conceded were very poor, poor standard for what we expect for each other,” Ian told the gathering press.
“So, that spell sort of killed the game, because after that I don’t think they created much, they never broke us down. I think we shot ourselves in the foot.”
“I know the quality in the squad and I demand the highest, because I want to win. If I feel that I need to tell them, or certain players, whoever it is I will tell them, because it’s 11 of us on the pitch and you can’t have both falling behind.
“I just want high standards from everybody, myself especially. I criticise myself a lot if I don’t do it right, but you need to do it right to get results. I had a couple of niggles at a few boys during the game, but it’s just because I want the best for everybody.”
Town are yet to get their first win in the league this season, but Black doesn’t think it’s far away.
“We need wins, everybody needs wins and once we get that first win I’m sure we’ll be fine,” said Ian.
“You’ve got to go into every game wanting to win, it doesn’t matter who you’re playing, and if you don’t go in with that attitude, there is no point in you playing.
“I’m certainly a winner and we’ve got winners throughout the whole squad and it’s just the goals that cost us and bad defending. But, it’s something we’ll address and the Gaffer will have us ready for Saturday.”
Ched Evans has been making the headlines for all the right reasons this season, scoring 4 goals in Chesterfield’s first 4 games and Black is very aware of his qualities.
“He’s a proven goalscorer and that’s what he does and he gets paid to do that, continued Ian.
Obviously he’s going to come here and he wants to score goals, and the ones we conceded we can’t do again. We’re going to work on it. We know their strengths and we’ll hopefully keep him quiet.”
Town have a number of options in midfield, but Ian is feeling fit and ready to keep his place.
“Fitness is great,” Black said.
“Last year I obviously never had a pre-season, so I’ve come in, had pre-season this year, missed the first game through suspension, but once I got my opportunity against Coventry I came in and grabbed it with both hands. It’s up to me now to stay in.
“You need competition, because if not the boys get into a comfort zone and that’s the last thing we need. So, there’s a lot of competition all over which is good. It keeps the boys on their toes and it gives the manager a headache every week.
“It’s who’s doing well at right the time and at this moment it’s obviously me and Deegs (Gary Deegan). The Gaffer’s happy with us and it’s up to us to keep that spot and train well and play well.”