Shropshire Star

Bernard McNally column: Mat Sadler can help the new-boys settle in

It has been quite surprising to see skipper Mat Sadler on the bench for the last two Shrewsbury Town games.

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I thought he would have started at Charlton last weekend and against Burton in the Carabao Cup.

By not having him in the starting line-up, you are going without a lot of experience and ability as he reads the game so well at the back.

Sadler was one of the best players in the team last year – he helped Toto Nsiala come on leaps and bounds.

He played a major role in Toto’s rise and the success of Salop under Paul Hurst – reaching the Checkatrade Trophy and League One play-off finals.

He must be very disappointed as he hasn’t really done anything to deserve to be dropped.

As a player, you know when you’ve played well and you know when you’ve played badly – and Mat was very good last season. He is a consistent performer.

His talking, his organisation, sometimes went a little bit unnoticed.

I’m sure it’s a decision John Askey will not have made lightly.

It is always a tough one when you’re taking over, with a load of new players coming in.

Although his hand has been forced a fair bit with the likes of Nsiala, Jon Nolan and Abu Ogogo leaving, keeping as much familiarity in the side as you can is important. Town have had two scorers so far this season in Lenell John-Lewis and Shaun Whalley, who were both part of last season’s set-up.

You’re always going to have to bed new players in, and it’ll take them a few games, and that’s where those who know the place well can really help.

Perhaps we’ll see Sadler return to the side for the next game.

It is about striking that balance, that’s the art of management.

He may have toyed with the idea of playing three at the back, with Sadler as the sweeper.

You have got have the personnel to play that system though and Askey may not quite have that. They may be better suited to sticking with proper wingers in Alex Gilliead and Whalley, who have been two of Salop’s better performers in these early games.

Blackpool on Saturday, that’ll be a tough game.

They’ve got to overcome all of the negative thoughts – it is a monster game for them, to get off the mark.

It’s something to sort out sooner rather than later as time is a precious commodity in football management.

Hopefully there is enough confidence in the side to get back on track over the next couple of games.