Michael Appleton has admitted he may need to rethink his tactical approach after Shrewsbury Town slipped to their sixth League Two defeat of the season.
Salop were beaten 2-0 at Harrogate Town in dreadful conditions at the Exercise Stadium, leaving them with just five points from their opening nine matches. The result has prompted the manager to reflect on how his side are setting up, with scoring the opening goal becoming an urgent priority.
Appleton Questions Current Setup
“We need to find a way somehow of getting that first goal,” Appleton told reporters. “Right now, we’re not giving ourselves a chance of winning games because we’re consistently allowing the opposition to do that. So, maybe our approach has to be slightly different.”
Appleton stressed that his side have already been playing in a more pragmatic style than he would typically favour. However, he acknowledged the balance has not been right.
“I’m looking at the group, I’m watching the group and seeing them play forward a lot earlier than possibly I think we need to at times to open teams up,” he added.
Selection Regret Over Marquis
One of the most significant decisions came with club captain John Marquis, who had started every league game until Saturday. Appleton left him out of the starting XI, a call he now concedes was a mistake.
“Well, it was a tough decision. And, obviously, now it looks like the wrong decision,” he admitted.
Marquis came off the bench and impressed, underlining his importance despite the defeat.
Appleton praised the striker’s professionalism and impact after coming on, adding:
“We had a good chat on Friday. He came on the pitch and he made an impact, which was good from my point of view. So, yeah, listen, that’s part and parcel of the job. I’ve got no issues with that.”
Writer’s View
Appleton’s comments suggest Shrewsbury are at a tactical crossroads. The manager’s pragmatic approach has failed to generate results, while leaving out key figures such as Marquis risks unsettling a side already struggling for confidence. With just one win in nine, Salop need a clear identity and a reliable formula if they are to climb away from the bottom end of League Two.
Whether Appleton opts for a bolder attacking style or doubles down on defensive solidity, the coming weeks could be decisive in shaping their season. Ultimately, there’s only one approach they need to change, and that’s from getting zero points, to getting some points.
