Shrewsbury Town boss John Askey: We must be more clinical
Shrewsbury Town boss John Askey has told his attackers to lift their heads up and believe in themselves as they search for more goals.
Town have lacked a cutting edge so far in League One, scoring just seven times in nine games.
Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Scunthorpe was the fourth match in which they have failed to find the net.
“We know we’ve got to start to create more chances,” said Askey, when asked why Salop find themselves 20th, with one win to their name.
“We did have chances on the 18-yard box (at Scunthorpe) where we’ve got a shot away, and we’ve got to pick the corner.
“We’re hitting men instead of lifting our heads up and they should be goals, really.
“That comes down to individuals. In the second half, Greg (Docherty) had a shot from five yards and put it the other side of the post. It was a good chance to score.”
Askey has had the players carry out a lot of shooting practice at their Sundorne training base in an effort to sharpen their skills in front of goal.
And he has hinted that a change in formation, or at least a shift in personnel, could be on the cards for this weekend’s clash against Gillingham at Montgomery Waters Meadow.
Aaron Amadi-Holloway may be given a chance to impress from the off after mainly being used as a substitute.
Summer arrival Fejiri Okenabirhie – who was in rich scoring form during pre-season – will be hoping to have some sort of involvement after being left out of the last two matchday squads. He is yet to start in the league.
“You’re always looking to improve it,” added Askey. “If we can make a change, will it improve it?
“Coming into Scunthorpe we had a week’s rest and it was just trying to keep the continuity. We’d been playing well.
“Just because you lose a game, everything’s not wrong. There were a lot of good things to take away from it.
“But we’ve got to start making more chances.”
Four Town players have netted in the league.
Docherty and Lee Angol have each struck twice while Shaun Whalley and Lenell John-Lewis have chipped in with one each.
Salop’s other goal was an own goal by Daniel Leadbitter in the 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers a few weeks ago.
