Mat Sadler believes new Shrewsbury Town team needs time to gel

John Askey’s men are six League One games without a win and eight in all competitions as they attempt to adapt to a new era after wholesale change at Montgomery Waters Meadow.

Sadler, 33, was twice left out by Askey last month as the new Town chief fiddled with his defence while looking to find a suitable pairing.

The stopper explained what effect 16 new signings have had on the club, but appreciates that a thirst for ‘instant’ results means Town cannot hide behind summer changes forever.

“I’d say ‘Give us time’ – it’s a new team, a new bond, new relationships,” said the centre-back.

“It’s the same building, but a completely different environment in there. That takes a little bit of time. I know a hell of a lot of supporters will know and understand that.

“But in this world we know everything is completely instant in social life now so we know we need to pick up some results.”

Togetherness and team spirit played a significant part last season as Paul Hurst’s Shrewsbury punched well above their weight while battling with the third tier big boys.

“In every dressing room you hope (to have) that,” Sadler added. “It does take a while to work out the dynamics.

“Not the pecking order, but what people like and dislike, what narks people and doesn’t.

“There’s only a few left here from last season, which completely forges a new group again.

“There has been an element of finding your feet. Last season we very much had a solid back five or six that didn’t move too often.

“We’re trying to replicate that now. Any successful back four will tell you it’s all about continuity.

“You only get that by playing together. It’s a new team, it has has taken time and showed in some results, however it has to turn and change.”

Sadler returned to Askey’s XI and helped guide Salop to consecutive league clean sheets before Shrewsbury shipped three at Luton 10 days ago and couldn’t keep out Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

The skipper admits that, despite the League One table being just exactly a month old, he hates the way it shows Town second-bottom.

“Even though it’s an early table I don’t like the way the table looks at all, that needs to change and it needs to change quickly, in my mind I want that out right now,” added Sadler.

“So I think the same as the fans in that respect, I want us to win some games because I can’t stand looking at the table as it is right now.”

When asked about feeling pressure, he responded: “We put it on ourselves with pressure anyway. We set our own bar and pressure because we need to win games.”