I am not sure we learnt much from that tonight. The club clearly decided to give this competition a 'bye', and the throw-together side we put out was never going to be much competition for a League One side featuring more regulars than our own.
I missed the first goal, but defensively we were terrible in the first half, not just the back five but as a team. There was no communication or pressure on the ball whatsoever and we did not really have any midfield play at all until about thirty minutes in. The second half was a bit better. When Gilmour came on we had more possession and got higher up the pitch, without looking like scoring. Shrewsbury picked us off on the counter attack for the final three goals.
Individually, the game just confirmed what I thought already. Tollitt was pretty hopeless, his decision making consistently poor and it was no surprise he was subbed; DMH was completely anonymous, and I think he avoided the hook purely because he was the only player we had who could operate as an emergency left wing back. Sutton was very rusty and Williams barely moved in ninety minutes and was woefully short of match fitness. You can't judge him on that game. Akammadu worked hard up front but was too isolated. We played a 532 with Franklin supported by Cole, who had a few bright moments, but the forward line was too lightweight to make an impression. Gilmour did well when he came on, but gave the ball away for the fourth goal, and I thought Buxton was our best player.
I think tonight's game was the biggest Rovers defeat I have seen in a (supposedly) competitive fixture.
Hoping for much better on Friday.