Josh Laurent: Leaders have to step up for Shrewsbury Town

The midfielder’s first Shrewsbury goal was in vain as Town failed to haul back their two-goal deficit at Fleetwood on Saturday.

A summer signing from Wigan, 23-year-old Laurent stressed there was a lack of fight from Town in the north west, adding that Salop only started playing after a half-time rollicking, and change, from Askey.

But Laurent feels leadership could be the key to Town’s poor starts. Shrews have conceded first in six of 13 League One games – including falling behind inside 20 minutes on three occasions.

“Maybe it takes an individual, at times, to make a big tackle or a run in behind or with the ball,” said Laurent.

“I think maybe one or two of us need to step up and become a leader at the start of games to get the rest of the team going.

“You can’t quite put your finger on it but it’s something we’ve got to work on together.

“Especially at Fleetwood, we couldn’t start like that. It’s windy, raining, but there was just not enough fight.

“We’ve got to do more. We’ve got to do something to make us fight more and give us a good chance in games.

“If we do start well, for the first 10 or 20 minutes like we did against Southend, then we’ll murder teams.”

Laurent made his first start in almost a month in the win over Accrington 10 days ago. He has featured in 13 of Town’s 16 games so far.

He is determined to repay the faith the Town chief showed by spending money to bring him to Montgomery Waters Meadow.

“One hundred per cent we want to do more (for the manager). Because he gives us the freedom to play,” he said.

“He’s not one, if we make mistakes, to moan at us for making mistakes. He wants you to play and have confidence.

“But you’ve got to work hard for him. I feel like I’ve got to pay him back (with) something. He brought me here, he’s been good with all of us, individually and as a team.