Shrewsbury Town’s right-wing-back, Elliott Bennett, discussed yesterday’s 3-0 win over Rotherham United at the ASSEAL New York Stadium.
Bennett netted his first league goal of the season and Shrewsbury’s second on the day yesterday afternoon.
A central midfielder by trade, Bennett has had to adapt to playing as a right-wing-back this season but is relishing the challenge.
Speaking after the game, Bennett discussed his goal, George Nurse, the fans, and the game as a whole.
On the game:
“I think you have to look forward to these challenges; obviously they’re top of the league and they’ve won a lot of games this season so they’re up there for a reason. I heard the gaffer saying you have to show every team in the league respect and prepare properly – we did that – and we’ve thankfully come away with all three points which is a fantastic result against the top of the league.”
On his goal:
“It is about time! Everyone has to chip in with goals and I think a lot gets made of strikers scoring goals, but thankfully Ryan [Bowman] and Dan [Udoh] have been brilliant this season and get themselves on the scoresheet a lot. Luke Leahy from midfield as well and then as a group of defenders, I think we’ve got a good clean sheet record now and that’s not just the back three or Marko [Marosi] or back five if you like, that starts from Ryan Bowman up top, defending from the top – that’s the important thing. We can share the goals around, and we’ve got to do that as a team, just like we share the defending as well.”
On the red card:
“We get a bit more of the ball obviously but Rotherham are going to do what Rotherham are going to do, especially at home with this crowd. You could see in the second half for five or ten minutes, the crowd were egging them to get onto us and they did it, they responded to it, and I think it was key that we got the second goal to take away their spirit because there’s always a chance when it’s 1-0.”
On George Nurse:
“Nursey’s got an assist in the last game and one here as well, you know, if you’re not scoring then can you create? If you’re not doing that then be solid and stop the opposition coming down your side too often. If you can’t do the two things in the attacking sense then do the defensive one and everyone’s happy. As a wing-back, you’ve got to try and help the team with going forward and defending – it’s a difficult role. George has spent a lot of time this season as a left centre-half and he’s now relishing going forward a bit more.”
On the fans:
“Sun’s shining, you watch your team get three points at top of the league; it doesn’t get much better than that! We thank them for their support and long may that continue and, hopefully, we’ve sent them home happy.”
