Chey Dunkley chatted to the media ahead of tomorrow's game against Portsmouth.
Town welcome John Mousinho's side to Montgomery Waters Meadow on the back of putting in a battling display at Barnsley on Easter Monday.
Dunkley has been an ever-present for a Shrewsbury side that has impressed in the top half of League One for the vast majortiy of the 2022/23 campaign.
In recent weeks, though, injuries have hit us hard with Tom Bayliss, Christian Saydee and Rekeil Pyke all picking up knocks.
And those injuries follow Dan Udoh and George Nurse rupturing their anterior cruciate ligaments back in August.
Speaking to the assembled media, Chey discussed Town's recent form and how injuries have impacted the squad. And he also gave his thoughts on tomorrow's game against Pompey.
ON THE RECENT RUN OF FORM:
"We’ve got to stay positive. For us, it’s just a case of getting that win.
"Winning or losing can become a habit. We were a bit unfortunate at Barnsley, I thought we could’ve got something at Barnsley and they are a top side by the way.
"We were away from home and I felt like we did well in that game.
"For the lads at this moment in time, it’s just about staying together and continuing to work hard - which is what we have done all season.
"We can’t be too gloomy about ourselves. We just have to go into the next game and see if we can get those three points at home."
ON INJURIES IN THE SQUAD:
"I think you just have to focus on yourself as a player.
"If you’re starting (games) you’ve just got to do the best for yourself.
"Yes, it can affect you - but that’s why we have a squad.
"We have young lads and it's an opportunity for them if you are looking on the positive side.
"It's an opportunity for them when you do have injuries or you have a loss of form - it's an opportunity for them.
"For myself, it's just a case of making sure I've got my house in order so that I can do the best I can do individually and then hopefully that helps collectively for the team.
"I think when you start thinking about other people and you start being gloomy - then it can affect your performance and then you're not doing your best for the team.
"All teams have their challenges. We have certainly had our challenges this season. But on the brighter side, we want to finish as strongly as possible.
"There are six games to do that and that is our full focus."
REFLECTIONS ON BARNSLEY:
"I felt we gave a good account of ourselves at Barnsley, we could have at least got a draw out of that game.
"There was a chance that fell to Ryan Bowman at 2-1 and nine times out of 10 if that falls to Bowman he puts that in the back of the net.
"I think we did show fight. And that is what has given us success this year, being together.
"We did well against Barnsley but it’s just about keeping that consistency and bringing that to this weekend against another tough opponent in Portsmouth."
FACING PROMOTION-CHASING TEAMS:
"We’ve been trying to be a part of that, we spoke about that earlier this season - can we push ourselves to the max?
"It's obviously going to be tough because there are big names in this division.
"But for the most part, we’ve been in that 10th position and I think there are probably 12 or 14 massive clubs that are all trying to go for the same goal and get in the play-offs.
"For us, we can only do the best we can do. It is tough but we have to accept we will come across teams like Plymouth, Portsmouth - and having that hard run on paper.
"But we know when we play to the top of our level we can mix it with them. We have got a few results against those so-called big sides.
"Obviously, when you haven't got a fully fit squad, that can take it's toll on you. But we have to stay strong. Mentally strong and physically strong for these last six games because we want to end on a positive.
"That starts, hopefully, against Portsmouth. It's not going to be easy, we know it's not going to be easy. But if we can show that same spirit we showed against Barnsley - we will give ourselves a chance."
ON THE RUN-IN:
"We’ve just got to take it game by game - we’ve got some big games ahead of us.
"But the next hurdle is Portsmouth so we have to study them and see where their strengths are and where we can exploit them.
"We have to take it step-by-step and literally focus on that team because they’re in and around us.
"No game's easy in this division. They’re a good side and that’s why they are where they are.
"We need to prepare, give them a bit of respect but not too much in the sense that we need to impose ourselves on them."
ON PLAYING EVERY MINUTE THIS SEASON:
"I’ve just got to make sure I do my recovery well, eat well, nutrition, and give myself the best chance to play as many games as possible - that's all part of being a professional.
"That’s not just me, it’s every player in this building. I've been fortunate to do so.
"Hopefully, it will continue. I've just got to keep doing what I’ve been doing and try and give the best account of myself which will hopefully help the team."
