Pre-season has finished and the new season is upon us as Town hopefully look forward to having a successful season, writes Shrews Blogger James Pugh.
Its been a period of change during the last couple of months - naming of the new stadium and players coming and going. But with the new season just days away what can fans expect over the next nine months?
If pre-season is anything to go buy then we have a lot to look forward to. Eight new signings, including those with the ‘wow’ factor, that have impressed me in what I have seen of them in the friendlies.
There have been some encouraging displays in the friendlies against some good opposition, although it is easy to take these type of performances for granted in pre-season.
It has been nice though to see proper football being played in these games, rather than the direct approach which we have been accustomed to.
We have now got the best strike force and defence in the league by a long way, and our midfield looks solid, if not spectacular. The recent acquisition of Coughlan is another impressive one and we certainly won’t be short of defenders this season.
There will also be no excuses when it comes to conceding goals. If I was being picky then I think we are two creative midfielders short, but with the rest of the squad we have got then we should be alright.
The goalkeeping position has become interesting. Who do fans want as their number one? In my opinion I would take a gamble on Daniels.
He impressed me against Stoke and I have been worried by the form of Garner during pre-season, which hasn’t appeared to have improved from last season. I still have my doubts over Bevan and feel he is prone to some big mistakes.
My starting line-up for Town’s match against Macclesfield is as follows: Daniels, Herd, Langmead, Jackson, Tierney, Davies (right midfield), Murray, McIntyre, Sherriff (left midfield), Walker, Holt.
Plus an excellent choice of subs from: Garner, Moss, Ashton, Coughlan, Pugh, Hibbert
It may come as a surprise to have Sherriff starting on the left, but I know he played a lot there for Tranmere and did a good job. I don’t think Leslie is ready yet to start and McIntyre is more effective in the centre.
What first XI would fans choose for the start of the season? Have your say in the comment box below.
So here’s to an exciting new season for Shrewsbury Town and let’s hope in 12 months time we will be preparing for life in League One.
My predictions for the new season are as follows:
- A chance of winning of the league
- Predict automatic promotion if I was a betting man
- Minimum achievement would be reaching the play-offs (but we won’t want to go through that again)
- Anything else would be regarded as a failure
My final message is for us to get behind the players and the manager and stick by the team no matter what!
12 Comments
Spot on as ever! I am one of a group of fans who travel regularly from Worcester to follow the town. The open day, the mananger, quality new signings and the pre season friendlies all contribute to give the impression of a very slick and professional set up. We are still short of a quality midfielder but i really believe that we will have the most successful season ever. Come on you Shrews!
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garner
tierney, sherriff, jackson, herd
leslie, macintyre, murray davies
holt, walker
subs, daniels,langmead,hunt, hibbert,moss
I think daniels will struggle at the start of the season with confidence, but if we can get him on a longer term he will grow in stature.
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must say I have been impressed with McIntyre in the two matches at the New Meadow, sorry, Prostar. When he first came under GP, didn’t rate him much and expected him to be one of the ones to go this summer. good luck to him!
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Dave Shrew - Do you have any spaces when you trave from Worcester please?
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Daniels
Herd Jackson Coughlan Tierney
Davies Sheriff Hunt Mcintyre
Holt Walker
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Bevan
Sherriff Jackson Langmead Herd
Hunt McIntyre Murray Davies
Walker Holt
Subs: Daniels, Hibbert, Humpreys, Tierney, Ashton
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pugh was a class act at the end of last season and we all seem to have forgotten about him
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what i have seen this summer has been one of the most intriging off seasons in a long time.It makes for a good upcoming season,and hopefully a league championship.I for one will be cheering on the shrews from this side of the atlantic as hard as ever.
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not having seen any pre season matches my team for saturday is
BEVAN,HERD LANGMEAD JACKSON TEARNEY DAVIES MURRAY HUNT SHERIFF HOLT WALKER SUBS DANIELS ASHTON COUGHLAN MACINTYRE HUMPHREY HIBBERD
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good luck to all on saturday at the prostar meadow, yes meadow, a hearty floreat salopia to you all. a reminder that away to exeter on 16/8 will be a major test for the squad. they have just beaten millwall 1-0, and drawn 1-1 at home to portsmouth
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What a job for our manager to pick a winning combination with the players at his disposal but its great to have a confident outlook, can’t wait for the first results to come in.
UP THE TOWN.
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League2, Johnstone Paints Trophy, Carling Cup and FA Cup here we come!! They’re all gonna be our’s!!!!!
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