Caldwell: We should have beaten Shrews

The Chesterfield manager said players needed to do more in attack and stop gifting the opposition chances.

Statistics showed the Spireites finished the game with just one shot on target - that an Ian Evatt goal - whereas the Shrews had 11 on target and 21 shots overall.

The result leaves Town eight points from safety with nine games left in the League One season.

“I just felt it was a game we could and should have won,” he said.

“They didn’t really attack us, every opportunity we gave them and in the second half when it opened up they were only a threat on the counter.

“There’s effort and then there’s effort.

“At this moment in time we have to be giving more.”

Caldwell admitted his side were lacking in quality when they reached the final third.

“In the second half we had opportunities and the quality wasn’t there at times, the desire to run forward and get up the pitch,” he said.

“We caused our own problems, from our goal kicks they were getting shots at our goal, that has to improve.”

A big blow for Town was the sight of captain Evatt being stretchered off with a serious looking knee injury.

During Caldwell’s post game injuries the central defender was spotted on crutches with his right leg in a brace.

The manager said: “It looks a bad one, he’s getting put in a brace as a precaution and we’ll see how he is tomorrow and Monday.

“It’s his knee, we don’t know the full extent but it doesn’t look great.”

Supporters called into question Caldwell’s fondness for the 3-5-2 formation Chesterfield have used recently but the Scot disagreed it was the problem.

“I don’t think formation has a lot to do with it,” he said.

“Football is about players and the desire to go and do things.”

And with another huge game at the Proact on Tuesday against Peterborough, Caldwell wouldn’t single it out as a must-win encounter, instead saying the target was three points every time Chesterfield step over the white line.

“We try and win every game.

“Every game is a must win whether it’s at the start of the season or the end of the season, a pre-season game, a small sided game in training, if you’re playing cards on the bus, you must win.

“That’s what you’re here for.”