Bernard McNally column: Shrewsbury's fringe players fail to take their chance
Boss Paul Hurst was scathing in his assessment of Shrewsbury Town’s 1-0 Checkatrade Trophy loss to Walsall.
He said the performance was ‘rubbish’ and questioned the commitment of his players.
A few who have been on the fringes were handed a chance to impress, but they failed to do so.
Paul is a very honest person – he is not afraid to say it how it is.
When you are on the sidelines, you have to grasp any opportunities that come your way with both hands – whether it is in a training game, in the cup or the league.
If you have been watching on from the stands, your task is to come in and try to force your way into the regular starting XI.
The ball really is in the players’ court – they have to step up to the mark.
I doubt Paul will be dropping any of his usual line-up after that though.
He would have loved to have been given a real serious headache, someone perhaps score a hat-trick and prove their quality.
It was a disappointing night for Town, having Ben Godfrey sent off after 75 minutes and conceding in the closing stages.
The Checkatrade Trophy is not Shrewsbury’s priority, their priority is League One and the FA Cup.
With that being said, you do not want any complacency to creep in.
Ben’s sending off was unfortunate and those sorts of things happen, it is all part of a game.
Obviously, the player and the manager will be frustrated.
Paul felt Ben won the ball and, as a young lad, it is something he will learn from.
When you lunge in like that, you are always in danger of getting a card.
Of course, the loss followed on from a 5-0 thrashing of Aldershot Town in the Cup.
That was a fine performance, they did not take the Shots lightly, and it was a great response to their first league defeat the weekend prior.
Yes, it was against non-league opposition, but it was a professional showing.
Having five different scorers would have really pleased Paul as well.
Salop do not have a game tomorrow because of international call-ups, which is obviously disappointing.
You always wants games to come thick and fast, particularly after a loss – to bounce back.
I am sure they will have a hard, physical weekend and then start afresh on Monday and try to get back to winning ways.
Overall, we always knew there would be a time that Shrewsbury would lose a couple of games.
And at the start of the season, Hurst would have snatched your hand off if you offered him where they are now.
