Shaw on unique challenge presented by Sheffield Wednesday youngsters

The Tigers boss watched as his men were beaten 5-0 by the Championship Side’s Under 21 squad.

But he was far from despairing at full-time.

Shaw said it was a chance for his side to work on defending as a team and a test of their fitness.

“We are starting to become more organised as a group, and becoming more aware of what challenges will be for us - obviously Sheffield Wednesday presented us with a fitness and organisational challenge,” he said.

“They’re very good footballers, their 21s did very well last year. They move the ball very well.

“We had to be organised to stop the threat. We went 35 minutes without conceding a goal, I thought we dealt with crosses quite well other than the two they scored from.

“We won’t come up against a challenge like that for the rest of this season.”

Another aspect that pleased Shaw was the interest in the fixture, given the absence of the Owls first team.

“It was important to get 500 people through the gate,” he said.

“A lot of these games are aimed at creating a spectacle for the supporters, to see teams they’d actually like to see, Mansfield, Lincoln and Wednesday.

“The supporters can come and enjoy watching good football teams play us.

“From a footballing point of view, I’ll be more interested in what happens against a Dronfield Town or a Matlock, teams closer to us in level, to see where we are.”

There were moments in the match when Tigers got on the ball and tried to play their normal passing game.

The moves may not have been completed successfully, but the endeavour was encouraging for Shaw.

“I want to try and play, even though we’re against a top side,” he said.

“If they’re brave enough to do it tonight, they’ll be more than brave enough to do it against a NCEL Premier team who won’t be as organised or fit.

“It was a good run out, it’s a joy to have Sheffield Wednesday down because a lot of teams might not come and play us because of the level we’re at.”