Shrewsbury Town verdict: Seven points from nine a fine return as Sam Ricketts shows taste for rotation

You’d have been hard-pushed to have found a Town fan who felt it would be against the latter that their team would not take maximum points.

The points haul has not been in the order expected, but they are on the board and they have Shrewsbury in a much better position than they looked two Saturdays ago.

Town did not hit the heights of their displays against Posh and Donny as they welcomed rock-bottom Wimbledon to Montgomery Waters Meadow.

They missed the attacking zest from the midweek success against Doncaster and there wasn’t the purposeful or clinical approach from the previous weekend at London Road.

It felt like a clash where Sam Ricketts’ men could come unstuck. On paper Town fans were expectant of three points, no question, particularly after the back-to-back wins.

That can be a danger. Shrewsbury had no right to roll AFC Wimbledon over just because they prop up the league table. As Ricketts warned, Wimbledon’s recent form has been better than their position suggests.

It quickly became apparent, despite the visitors forcing three early corners, that Town would monopolise the ball and be forced to break their visitors down.

This did not prove easy. Wally Downes’ men defended resolutely and Shrewsbury were lacking that invention in the final third.

Town often worked themselves into good positions, many in the first half and most through Tyrese Campbell, but the final shot or pass lacked conviction. Even a first Shrewsbury start in 12 years for Dave Edwards could not inspire Town to the three points, but the Welshman got a vital 70 minutes under his belt on return to fitness.

The best chance came and went for Josh Laurent shortly before the break and Shrewsbury were unable to cut Wimbledon open as easily in the second period.

The Dons had a little go late on in a couple of forays forward, Ricketts was against the idea that the bottom club came to Shropshire in search of a point, but they looked pretty pleased with it at full-time and were happy to eat up time earlier on.

The fixture was not as crucial as it looked a fortnight ago. Six points from the previous two had given Salop breathing space in their quest to avoid trouble.

Despite that, a win would have lifted Shrewsbury up to 13th come the final whistle. That is what a goal was worth to Ricketts’ men and that is a snapshot of how tight the wrong end of League One has become.

The Shrews boss was, not for the first time, left berating officials after the game as they – somehow – managed to miss the most blatant handball of the season as a Wimbledon defender made a stunning save in the box to block Greg Docherty’s volley.

Yes, there is a strong argument Shrewsbury didn’t do enough on the day and the result is no fault of the referee’s, but that incident late on should have been seen – and we would then be talking about mid-table Shrewsbury.

Boos rang out at full-time, all directed at the officials who trudged off to x-rated chants at their displays.

Then questions began to gather pace on Ricketts’ team selection. He made four changes from the impressive win over Doncaster four days earlier.

One, Anthony Grant, was enforced. But Docherty and Fejiri Okenabirhie dropped to the bench while Ryan Haynes missed out all together.

All three of those have had injury concerns recently, but Ricketts revealed afterwards they were all rotated out with Edwards, Aaron Amadi-Holloway and Scott Golbourne having their turn in the XI.

Ricketts made it clear after the game that, with the options he now possesses in his Town squad – where he has two players for every position – he sees rotation as imperative.

The Town boss was stung earlier in his reign after using the same XI at Bradford on a Tuesday night that went toe-to-toe with Wolves four days earlier. His players were tired and they lost 4-3.

Now Ricketts is happy to leave out Haynes and play Golbourne. He is happy for the influential Docherty to sit out with plenty of midfield options, same in attack.

Some supporters felt the introduction of Docherty and Okenabirhie, in the 67th minute, arrived too late. Ricketts admitted it is tough leaving the duo out.

Others felt the withdrawal of Stoke loanee Campbell was unwise. But the Potters whizzkid is yet to complete 90 minutes for Town and Ricketts has said that his fitness is not yet ready to see him through a whole game.

Rotation is the name of the game under Ricketts. It is clear the boss sees that is a crucial factor in his side’s performance, so supporters will become familiar with alternating line-ups.

Flack aimed at the boss after a frustrating stalemate against the basement boys should be tempered as those dishing it out recall the previous two victories.

AFC Wimbledon were barely a threat and didn’t register a shot on target, though Steve Arnold’s contribution was brave and crucial late on. Another clean sheet was big for Town. That is two on the spin and keeping shutouts become a good habit.

Shrewsbury are now unbeaten in five games, taking nine points from a possible 15 and it has eased lingering relegation fears.

They go on to away trips to drop zone rivals Rochdale and Plymouth, 22nd and 15th respectively, next Saturday and Tuesday week.

Town have found an unbeaten groove that will see them clear of trouble. Saturday’s attack needs fine-tuning, but they’re on their way.