Boss Paul Simpson insists he will not be “disrespectful” to other teams or the Shrewsbury Town supporters by experimenting with his team for Saturday’s trip to Mansfield.Last weekend’s 3-0 victory over Wrexham has all-but secured Town’s League Two future, and that has led to suggestions that Simpson might take the opportunity to assess some of the fringe members of his squad.
But the new Shrewsbury chief says his full focus is on winning games, and has dropped a broad hint that he may in fact go with a completely unchanged line-up.
“I’m in two minds as to whether to change the team at all,” he said.”If I can get the opportunity to look at some of them in the first team then I will take that opportunity.
“But it would be disrespectful of me as a manager to be putting teams out that are not our strongest side.
“It would be disrespectful to the teams at the bottom like Dagenham and Notts County who are fighting for their lives, if we fielded a weakened team at Mansfield, and to our own fans who are coming to watch us win.
“The only home game we have left is another local derby (against Chester), so our fans will want us to win that one and I will as well.
“Our last game is at Rochdale, and with them being my old club I would love to win that one, of course.”
Meanwhile, Simpson has felt able to start putting some pre-season plans in place following Sunday’s much-needed victory.
He has spoken to several managers with the intention of lining up one or two high-profile friendlies for the Town in the build up to the new season, and has also not ruled out the prospect of a summer tour.
“I’ve already made some phone calls to managers to see if we can get one, and preferably two, decent games here, as well as a few local games,” he revealed.
“I’d like to get the lads away for four or five days but I haven’t looked into that yet, these things cost money.
“If it’s money that would be taken away from the pot for strengthening the squad then we wouldn’t do that. It’s jut a case of speak to Rob Bickerton (the managing director) and the chairman to see what we can sort out,” he added
* Spaces remain on the coaches for Saturday’s trip to Mansfield on the coaches from the the Official Supporters’ Club (Ian Venables on 07981-593437) or the Away Supporters Club (01952 604742).
By Chris Hudson
2 Comments
our new young manager is learning fast,
I don’t know if he is learning, I’m hoping all the experience he has will enable him to handle the remainder of this season and empower him to cope with the massive job in front of him in the off season and have the talents to be a successful manager next season. Go for it Paul.