No Panic – Keith Alexander

Keith Alexander has spoken about the 4-0 defeat to Shrewsbury, but insists that there is no need to panic.

He has also talked of the substitution descisions he made on the day.

Speaking to the club’s official website, he said:

‘Yesterday was extremely disappointing. There’s no getting away from that. I didn’t enjoy the experience and it can’t have been easy for the fans watching from the stands.

‘But having had a night to sleep on it, I feel a lot better albeit it has highlighted the tough challenge we face. Shrewsbury have thrown money at Paul Simpson and I doubt many teams will go there this season and pick up points. So our result has to be put into context in that respect.

‘That said there should be no excuses. We were beaten by the better team and we now have to knuckle down and concentrate on the games ahead starting with the visit of Blackpool on Tuesday night.

‘Even though we didn’t really offer much up front, I thought 4-0 was a tad flattering a scoreline. I had to gamble when they scored their second and decided to take Richard Walker off. It didn’t work as we conceded two goals from corners and I have to hold my hands it to that one. I made a mistake but I felt we had to put on an extra forward to give us any chance of getting something from the afternoon.

‘Their first goal was also a bit lucky in the way it came back off the bar and I am not 100% sure about the penalty. But we made a mistake in the lead up to the latter and ultimately we have to make our own luck.

‘I can understand those who were extremely down after the result. I was and so were the players. But we have to all remember that it is just one game. It is far too early to be dismissive of our chances. If there is a positive to be had then perhaps it will focus our minds to work doubly hard and earn the right to win games of football. That was the message I gave to the lads and it’s up to them to bounce back.

‘Sean was booked early on and made a few tackles that the referee didn’t seem to like. He told Sean that anymore and he was off. So given that I decided to take him off as I didn’t want us to be playing with ten men, especially given our disciplinary record last season.’

‘Sean although disappointed understood why the decision was taken and he knows how highly I rate him as a player.’