Steve Cotterill spoke to the media after today's win over MK Dons at Montgomery Waters Meadow.
Shrewsbury Town bounced back from a disappointing outing last weekend to win 2-1 against MK Dons on Saturday afternoon.
Tom Bayliss gave Town the lead with a sweet strike before Jordan Shipley - who missed the last fixture because his fiancée went into labour - added a second in added time at the end of the first half.
The manager was pleased with his side's performance and praised the goalscorers, goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne and under-18s defender Josh Bailey - who made the league squad for the first time.
On the game:
“It was a well-deserved victory. I think it's always difficult when they go down to 10 men as they changed their formation a couple of times. I think we could have helped ourselves if we played a little bit smarter when they did go down to 10 men but before that happened we should of put the game to bed.
“I know we were 2-0 up before half time but I definitely think there was more than a two-goal difference in the first half, but I did think we were good today and if we were anything like that last week we would have won the game but unfortunately we didn’t. We have had some setbacks as well before the game and during it. It is all a testament to the players and their character.”
On setbacks midweek and the response today:
“We did (get the win) and obviously I am pleased with it as you cannot go through 90 minutes without a few scares. I do not think they would have scored their goal from a set play if Matthew Pennington was still on the pitch, but what happens is if you lose one of your headers, everything drops down a notch, and when they get the goal as early as they did in the second half that all of a sudden makes our thinking a little bit nervous but I think we settled down fine on a few occasions.
“I actually think before their goal we could have kept the ball better than we did in the first few moments of the second half but a win is a win and we are talking about MK Dons; they are a very good team I will make no bones about that. They are just going through a tough patch at the moment but I'm sure they will come out of it.”
On Tom Bayliss' recent record:
“Yeah, we are pleased with him and with those stats, you have just drummed up (two assists and two goals in the last six games) there, but what I should be asking him is what was he doing the six games before it! Everyone can see Tom’s quality and I think he can beat a couple of people in a phone box as he has great feet but now we just have to keep on top of him to make sure he does all the mucky stuff and when he does that, I think he is a good player.”
On Harry Burgoyne:
“It’s a difficult one when you are the reserve goalkeeper because he ends up getting thrown in when he's not expecting it and people can say that’s okay because the number two goalkeeper has always got to be prepared. However, it’s very hard preparing for a match when you are the number two so yeah, I have been really pleased with Burgoyne and for him as well because it’s been a long time sat on the bench because Marosi has proved he is our number one goalkeeper and has been outstanding so in the last few weeks, Burgoyne most probably thinks he has no chance of getting a game but he’s been ready.
"Brian Jensen (the goalkeeping coach) has worked very hard with him in the last couple of weeks as he does with Marosi and all of the others as well so have the rest of the staff as well because we have had a couple of really tough weeks and I think my immediate staff have shown great character. They have been absolutely superb and I couldn’t ask anything more of any of them as they have gone over and beyond for me and preparing the players so it’s been a really good team effort.”
On Jordan Shipley:
“Yeah, it's funny because Bayliss scored so Shipley had to as they are big pals so I'm sure it will be quite good for them driving home tonight. Shipley has obviously become a father again to a lovely little girl and as I have said before, hopefully, everything has gone okay and mum and baby are fine which we did know last week.”
On Josh Bailey making the league squad:
“Well to be fair to all of them (the academy players) they conduct themselves very well when they come up and train with us and I think there is always a pathway to come up and train with the first team.
“Josh today was a substitute on merit and if there was something not quite right with Shipley at the end, he might have found himself on the pitch.
“We can look back at the Port Vale game when he ends up playing that night against a very experienced right-wing-back in [David] Worrall and competed very well so even though there is a sufferance period. In those Papa John’s games, I would have never known if I could have put him on today if I hadn’t of seen him play that evening. Even though it’s tough to sit through those defeats, you find a couple of players that you never knew you would have.
“I'm pleased for him because he is a great boy but he is really quiet so I deliberately talk to him a lot so he talks back to me. It’s not just me because he is a really quiet boy but he is quick and has really great thighs and is a lovely lad. We have to get him to be a bit more horrible but that shouldn’t take long.”
