Steve Cotterill thrilled as Hakeeb Adelakun’s hard work brings rewards

Steve Cotterill hailed the impact of Hakeeb Adelakun after his goal and assist in Cheltenham’s 3-1 home win over Shrewsbury.

The Robins have been in resurgent form since Cotterill’s return to the club and wide forward Adelakun has come to the fore since regaining fitness after starting the season without a club.

“I thought today that was Haks’ best game off the ball for us,” Cotterill said.

“His pressing was good today and some of his quality when he sees passes out there, I’ve known about that and it’s why we signed him.

“It was all about getting him up to speed and trying to stay patient with his pre-season. We managed to do that and he’s now, for me, up to the player I really know he is.

“His quality is undoubted; he’s done really well and he’s worked really hard as well.”

Adelakun and Jake Bickerstaff put the Robins two up at the break, with Isaac Hutchinson adding the third from the penalty spot.

John Marquis pulled one back for the Shrews but it was comfortable for Cheltenham against Cotterill’s old club.

Adelakun, who is nearing the end of a two-month contract, opened the scoring in the 14th minute, finishing Jordan Thomas’ low ball for his second goal in as many games.

Adelakun then turned provider, playing a ball over the top of the visiting backline for Bickerstaff to reach and apply a confident finish past Will Brook in the 31st minute.

Arkell Jude-Boyd was tripped in the box by Will Boyle and Hutchinson converted from the spot for the eighth goal of his loan spell from Bristol Rovers in the 54th minute.

Marquis gave the travelling fans something to celebrate in the 63rd minute, after Joe Day parried a deflected strike from Sam Clucas and Boyle delivered back into the middle, but Cheltenham had done enough to make it 10 points from their last four games.

Shrews boss Michael Appleton admitted his side’s first-half performance was a long way short of the required standard.

“It’s difficult to look beyond the first half. I’ve managed quite a lot of games but the first half was as bad as it gets for me,” he said.

“I can take players kicking the ball out of play, having a poor touch, misplacing a cross or scuffing a shot, all of the technical sides of it, but I can’t stomach a lack of intensity, application or energy.

“All of those things that you don’t really have to pay for. They should come naturally and be part of your makeup.

“We had that missing in the first half and it was quite difficult to accept actually.”