It’s just not going our way – Johnson

SHEER DESPAIR: manager Lee Johnson can’t believe it as Athletic give Shrewsbury their second goal yesterday. Picture by VINCENT BROWN.

LEE Johnson blamed bad luck and a lack of quality as Athletic fell to a 2-1 defeat by Shrewsbury.

The result — if not the performance — meant Johnson was left to reflect on his toughest period in management as Athletic were pulled into the relegation picture.

“You can talk about performances until you are blue in the face,” said Johnson. “But I didn’t think this was that bad. We had some very good chances, some serious waves of attack, the lion’s share of possession — and none of the luck.

“We had some really good opportunities and had you watched the highlights you would wonder how we had lost and they had won. That is the luck we are getting at the moment.

“It’s a disappointing result. What can you do now but try to bounce back — after two very good performances?”

Both goals conceded were as a result of defensive mistakes and though Athletic came close to scoring several times, individual errors were the crucial factor.

“I don’t know why we keep making these silly mistakes,” Johnson added. “It is not even tactical. It is individual errors and very disappointing for me, because it’s something you can’t legislate for.”

Athletic now concentrate on the big trip to Anfield. Around 5,755 Athletic fans will make the journey on Sunday.

Understandably, Johnson wasn’t in the mood to focus on the game given that the Shrews loss made it six league matches without a win for Athletic.

He said: “We have got a lot to look forward to, but our bread and butter is the league.”