Tom Shaw

MIDFIELDER Tom Shaw says Cambridge United need to be more consistent as they push for a place in the Blue Square Bet Premier play-offs.

Shaw netted the winner as United won 2-1 at AFC Telford on Saturday, and said he and his team-mates need to show the fighting spirit which saw them claim the points at the New Buck’s Head.

“We watched the DVD of the game with the manager and rest of the players today, and in the first half we did a lot of good things, though we were perhaps fortunate to get the corner that led to the goal,” said Shaw.

“The second half we weren’t really at our best, but we dug in and got a valuable result. That’s what we were doing earlier in the season when we got a lot of wins by scrapping it out with teams.

“We need to be a bit more consistent and string a few results together, especially with a run of home games coming up.”

The 24-year-old’s goal was his fifth of the season, and he has set his sights on surpassing the seven he scored for former club Kidderminster last term.

He said: “It’s always good to score, especially with my left foot because I don’t get to use it very often!

“I just swivelled and hit it and it was nice to see it beat the keeper and nestle in the corner.

“I got seven last year, and I’d like to beat that this season. One of the reasons the manager has brought me to the club is to score goals from midfield.”

Shaw also paid tribute to the role Rossi Jarvis plays in the U’s midfield. Jarvis returned to the side for the match at Telford, and was one of United’s stand-out players in a defensive midfield role, allowing Shaw and Luke Berry to get forward in support of Michael Gash.

“Rossi has a lot of experience for his age. He’s played at a good level and he brings a bit of calmness to the midfield,” said Shaw.

“My role changes a little bit depending on who is in the team, but all the players who have come in over the last few weeks have a lot to offer.”