Assistant Manager looks ahead to Gills test
Shrewsbury are back in league action after their 3-2 win at Coventry on Tuesday night in the Checkatrade Trophy.
So far this season Town have taken 10 out of a possible 12 points leaving them in a comfortable league position of third.
“Well I was disappointed because we didn’t play well, it’s as simple as that in the second half we were poor. The lads know we were poor and the game was made a lot harder than it should have been.
“So, something to show on Saturday, nothing to worry about but credit to the lads because we didn’t play well but we plucked the victory out of nowhere in the end.
“We’re going into the game knowing performance levels have to improve from Tuesday if we are to get anything out of the game, the lads are well aware of that so we’ll see what happens.
“I want players playing at their maximum every game, every training session and if it drops I’m not happy, it’s a simple as that.
“The lads know what we’re about, they know what they’ve got to do, they’ve set a standard in terms of performance levels.
“Again, we started okay but that doesn’t give them a chance to drop off and take it easy, far from it. If they drop from the levels they’ve set now, then they will be told.”
On rivals Gillingham, Doig expects a physical test for Salop.
“It’s a good time to play them, they had a little struggle at the start but they’ve picked up so again it’s a big test for the lads.
“Gillingham have a lot more confidence than they will have had a week ago so, it will make it a difficult task for the lads but one I’m sure they’ll answer.
“I think it will be more in kind to the first game of the season against Northampton, a strong physical team, very direct with big Eaves up front so they’re not scared to go back to front, a lot of long throw ins, set pieces.
“There’s no right or wrong way to play football, it’s just a different task for the lads but one that they’ve got to answer.
“The lads will be well aware of what they are coming up against, but like I said they’re the ones who cross that line.
“So, win or lose really, It’s the lads who take the responsibility for what’s gone on. Again, they’ve done fantastically well at the minute and they deserve the credit for what’s happening in games.”
In team news, with Dean Henderson still away with the England Under 21’s, Doig expects Craig MacGillivray to show his class on Saturday.
“It’s up to Craig to step in and show what he’s about. We’ve obviously seen him previously with Walsall where he did very well and he did very well for us in the games he’s played pre-season.
“They’re both very talented goalkeepers at different stages of their career. They’re both talented and we are delighted to have them on board.
“With the whole squad that’s what we want. We want a squad so that the gaffers got decisions to make in every position.”