Strikers thoughts after the Scunthorpe win
Stefan Payne has hailed Shrewsbury Town’s team spirit as we went four points clear at the top of SkyBet League One with an excellent 2-0 with over Scunthorpe at the Montgomery Waters Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Payne gave Town the lead midway through the first period with a smart finish, before second-half substitute Carlton Morris slotted home to make the three points safe three minutes from time.
Payne has been in fine form in front of goal this term, and the former Barnsley man was keen to praise his side’s work ethic after the win.
“It’s great – it’s totally different from last year,” he told the assembled press. “When I came in [last season] we were fighting relegation, but this year we’re on a high – we’re unbeaten in the league – we’ve just got to keep working hard.
“Everybody out there works for each other, from the goalkeeper to the forwards, there’s a great team spirit about us at the moment.”
Payne currently sits on five goals from nine league games, and the Salop hitman admitted it’s hard not to keep an eye on the top scorer charts.
“You’d be lying as a centre-forward if you said you didn’t look at the charts,” he revealed. “But from my point of view, I’m just working towards my own personal targets.
“As a striker you always want to get 20 goals – at least. But for me I just want to get as many goals as I can and help the team to win games.
“I’m always going to get plenty of chances in this team,” he added. “It’s just my job to finish them.”
Payne was also keen to praise his strike-partner Morris, who replaced Shaun Whalley in the 75th minute, and made an almost immediate impact.
“Carlton came on and did very well for us,” he enthused. “We needed something like that.
“When he came on we were a bit down, and I was blowing a bit if I’m honest. But Carlton came on, and changed the game for us – he’s a great player – there’s massive potential there.”
Next up for Town in the SkyBet League One is a trip to the Bescot Stadium to face 16th-placed Walsall, and Payne revealed the positive impact manager Paul Hurst and assistant Chris Doig have had on the team.
“Their results speak for themselves really,” Payne said. “They came in last year, and the team wasn’t really their own, but they’ve had the whole summer to build their own team, and now, we’re top of league and unbeaten – so like I say – their results speak for themselves.
“We’re all level headed, but we all want to do well and play higher,” he added. “The gaffer and Doigy play their part in keeping us on the ground.”