Ollie Westbury analysis: Shrewsbury brought down to earth after early optimism

Matt Taylor’s side did well against Cheltenham on the opening day of the season, and they were promising before the break at Leeds last Wednesday as they went toe-to-toe with the Championship big-hitters, albeit they did fade in the second half.

But the early momentum and positivity came to a halt in Hertfordshire as Town put in a below-par performance against Steve Evans’ newly-promoted team.

These days do happen in football, where no matter what you do and what you try, the opposition are just too powerful and too strong for you on the day – and that was certainly the case at the Lamex Stadium.

It was always going to be a tough prospect for Shrews. They put in such a shift against Leeds on Wednesday, and the same players had to put in another performance not even 72 hours later.

Stevenage had an extra day to prepare for the game and they did not have the travelling involved either.

Matt Taylor said after the game that he and his staff will look at the data they have to see whether they felt that played a part.

There is no doubt it would have, and it is not helpful, but regardless Shrews have some good players and they should have put in a better display.