Ricketts hails ‘thoroughly professional’ display as Shrews bounce back with win

Posted Sunday, October 06, 2019 by PA

Shrewsbury boss Sam Ricketts praised his side for bouncing back from defeat with a 1-0 win at 10-man Tranmere.

The Shrews suffered a tough 3-0 loss at home to Fleetwood last time out but Callum Lang’s 20th-minute goal secured all three points at Prenton Park.

Rovers forward Connor Jennings was sent off on the stroke of half-time to make matters worse for Tranmere manager Micky Mellon, whose side remain in trouble near the foot of the table.

Ricketts said: “Thoroughly professional performance today, it was a great reaction to the disappointment of last week’s second half.

“We spoke about it and were forthright about it.

“I think we could have scored more if we were more clinical, we hit the post and had some good chances.

“They needed some fine saves from their keeper.

“It was just delightful to get a goal and I don’t care how they come as long as the ball gets in the back of the net.

“We had to see the game out because we didn’t have enough shots on target because we should have won by more.

“What we saw was a team full of togetherness and not wanting to be broken down.”

Rovers battled hard to try and earn a point but Shrewsbury goalkeeper Max O’Leary pulled off a stunning save from Neil Danns in the last minute.

Ricketts added: “You still have to see the game out and I think we did it quite comfortably, but it was a great save from Max at the end.

“We deserved our win and I’m proud of the lads today.”

Rovers have won just two games in the league this season, with one of those coming against a weakened Bolton due to their financial troubles at the beginning of the season.

Mellon admitted: “I don’t think we were good enough with the ball.

“I don’t think we had any kind of rhythm, when we did have the opportunities to pass it better, we gave it away too cheaply, and turnovers, we never really executed them either, in a scrappy game.

“The sending off has obviously made it very difficult for us and in terms of effort, they had a right good go but what we lacked today was that quality with the football. When those opportunities came, it broke down and it never gave us any chance to get into dangerous areas because we kept giving it away.

“We lacked imagination in the final third which was needed against that type of defensive set-up, but in terms of effort, they wouldn’t be found wanting.

“I don’t think, apart from the goal, Scott ( Davies) only had a couple of saves to make, but all in all, I’m disappointed.”