Neil Harris: Cambridge performance in Shrewsbury defeat was ‘shambolic’

Boss Neil Harris described Cambridge’s “shambolic” performance in their 2-0 League Two defeat at Shrewsbury as one of the worst in his management career.

George Lloyd put the hosts ahead after taking advantage of a defensive mix-up after 12 minutes, while Town doubled their advantage when Will Boyle headed home a Sam Clucas corner after 36 minutes.

Lloyd had a shot well-blocked with eight minutes to go during a second half which saw neither side register a shot on target.

“The performance was shambolic in some ways, I am gutted,” said Harris. “It’s one of the worst performances I have seen from one of my teams in my 500 games of management.

“We got sucker-punched by the first goal when we were in control. The second goal was a free header which is so unlike us.

“We just found a way to turn the ball over or kick the ball off the pitch time and time again.

“We tried to find solutions and nothing worked. Nearly every player that represented the club today was poor and you can’t do that at any level.

“If you do nothing with the ball and don’t trouble their goalkeeper then you don’t deserve anything from the game.

“You come to a team that is struggling to win at home and then you give away two poor goals. You are climbing a mountain and giving them something to hold on to.

“We didn’t have enough ability to get back into the game.

“That performance is nowhere near good enough to represent our club and I can only apologise to the fans who have travelled.”

Shrewsbury boss Michael Appleton felt it was a win that had been coming, saying: “I had a good feeling about today to be honest. There was a real good feel around the place.

“The performance last week set us up a little bit. Overall we were really good and we backed that up today.

“If you get the first goal, you give yourself a massive chance of winning the game.

“What we need to do is see how good teams are under pressure. If you get the first goal you’re playing against a different team.

“We were really comfortable today, I never felt we were going to concede at any time.

“George Lloyd took his chance. It wasn’t just the goal, that was the icing on the cake. His work-rate and general play was very good.

“We should be scoring more from set-pieces with what we have got in the group so I am pleased with the second goal.

“To have the concentration levels we showed in the second half is also pleasing. We have a chance to back it up next week.”