A proud Matt Taylor spoke to the media after watching his Shrewsbury side secure a deserved win over Derby.
A goal from Tom Bayliss - who scored having missed an earlier penalty - saw Town secure a 1-0 win over Paul Warne's side at a bouncing Croud Meadow.
In truth, we should have won by a greater scoreline with Max Mata, Taylor Perry and Ryan Bowman all having good chances while goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith made an outstanding save to deny Dan Udoh.
Speaking to the assembled media, Matt discussed his team's performance, the excellent atmosphere at the Croud Meadow and a run of results that has seen us take seven points from the last three games.
On the game:
“The emotion that runs through your body when you are on the touchline is indescribable at times.
“It’s indescribable because that win there means so much to us.
“I believe Derby are one of the favourites this season with the players they have at their disposal.
“What we have done today is win a game of football against them that should have been more convening.
“We missed a penalty. We had numerous chances to put ourselves in a better position. But what an amazing feeling.
“The connection with the fans is building. It was the biggest crowd of the season. To be able to go and share that moment with them was fantastic.
“The players are the ones who carry out the instructions we give them. They were immense today.
“What a performance. What a result. I’m really, really, happy.
“Every time I come and talk to you I try and keep my disappointment or my happiness and pride in check - I don’t want to do that today.
“The players there have given everything to a man. And they have shared that performance with our supporters, at home, against one of the biggest teams in the league.
“The only disappointing thing, and I’ve said this to the players, is that they can’t celebrate tonight because we have got another massive game on Tuesday.
“But that is seven points out of three games.
“This group, and I’ve always said it, will take time. It will take time for us to get into a position where everyone has a clear and concise understanding of what is required.
“Today, what you saw was a group of men who gave everything for that Shrewsbury Town badge.
“I can’t ask anymore. Then you couple that with the quality they have.
“I’m overjoyed for Tom Bayliss that he’s scored. He’s just told me it’s gone down as an own goal. I think he is slightly aggrieved by that.
“But what a massive three points. What a win. Now we let the players enjoy it, sensibly, this evening.
“They have got a day off tomorrow and then we report Monday to get ready again because football is relentless.
“But from my perspective, I’m just really, really, pleased. It’s more than that – I'm exceedingly happy we’ve got the three points today.”
On the attractive football we played in the build-up to the goal:
“It’s always going to take time for you to get your ideas across as a coach.
“The way that I would like us to play we are getting closer to.
“The players still, I’m going to argue, need to believe in each other a bit more. They need to trust one another a bit more.
“But you see the football our lads can play. You can’t tell me they are not a good team. You can’t tell me they are not good footballers. I firmly believe in them. I have 100 per cent belief in them.
“I look at the group as it stands, we have had some injuries. We have had players away. There is not one player we haven’t sat down with and explained what is required from them.
“Some of the players on the pitch today were not on the pitch at the beginning of the season. And there were some monumental performances out there today.
“We will digest this. I hope everyone who was here today has gone home really happy.
“Hopefully there are some new supporters who have come and watched a game today. Maybe it was their first game.
“And my urge to them is to come back and support the team when we are back at home.”
On the numerous chances we created:
“It’s always in the back of your mind that Derby are a good team with exceptional attacking options.
“They will have chances in the game and Marko made some outstanding saves today. But their goalkeeper made some outstanding saves.
“The ones that stick out in my mind are when Taylor Perry had a great chance, Dan Udoh had a good chance – it was an unbelievable save from him. Ryan Bowman had a couple of chances.
“I keep saying, the narrative is changing. We are scoring goals. We are creating chances.
“I always knew it would take time. Now what we need to do is build on that.”
On the atmosphere at the Croud Meadow:
“It means a huge amount to me, it means a huge amount to all of the staff.
“To be able to share that today with a group of supporters that are loyal to their to team.
“And to understand them a bit better, but also for them to understand me.
“That’s probably the most emotional I have been on the touchline. There are five minutes to go – the ball goes out of play and I’m celebrating as if the referee has blown the whistle.
“That shows you just how much it means to me and how much it means to everyone at the football club.
“That performance today epitomizes the way we are as a football club. The hard work, the desire to want to get better every single day. We saw that in huge amounts today.”
On Brandon Fleming coming off injured:
“There is no early news. As you can imagine the dressing room is buzzing. Brandon has got an ice pack on his calf.
“What that looks like I will find out tomorrow. I think he’ll need to sleep on it and then we’ll assess.
“He has been exceptional since he came into the team. Last week he played in central midfield. This week he put in a really good performance again.
“And Mal (Benning), it’s difficult when you are in and out of the team to come on and perform, but to a man each and every member of this squad is giving everything they have got.
“And the good thing is we have still got players to come in.”
On seven points from the last nine:
“I think when you win football matches – especially against a team like Derby – when you have previously had two good performances and results, it builds momentum.
“It continues to ensure the players – and I know they do – believe in what we are doing. But I still want them to believe in each other more.
“That’s what results and performances like this can do.
“I’ve got a massive smile on my face for the first time in a long time because I thought we were outstanding today and we got exactly what we deserved.”
