Blog: With the new season less than four weeks away, rebuilding work is taking shape at Shrewsbury Town FC, writes blogger James Pugh.

Graham Turner has been in charge about four weeks now and in that time he has been busy shaping his backroom and playing staff ahead of this season’s push for promotion.

I must admit the signings of Ian Sharps, David Raven and Mat Sadler excite me.

Sharps is an experienced defender but he still has a lot of life left in him and he’ll be an ideal replacement for Coughlan. Raven is experienced, versatile and, at 25, should still have his best years ahead of him. Sadler is still quite young, has dropped a few divisions to play for us and will be desperate to prove he has still got the ability to play at a higher level.

That just leaves a goalkeeper, midfielder and a couple of strikers left to get. We have taken former Doncaster goalkeeper Ben Smith on trial, but whichever keeper comes in will probably have to accept playing second fiddle to Chris Neal.

The lack of a new striker is worrying me with the new season getting ever closer. It still baffles me that Turner hasn’t spent any money so far on new signings. Is he biding his time for the right player or is the money not there?

The problem we face is we need an experienced striker who will score 20+ goals – but these cost money. And the longer we leave it the less likely other clubs are going to want to part with their prize assets.

We surely can’t rely on Robinson, Bright and Elder to get us promoted. And it would be unfair to expect young Bradshaw to lead the line next season.

Which strikers would fans like to see playing in the blue and amber next season?

We have also been linked with moves for Lionel Ainsworth and Toumani Diagouraga, both of whom starred for Hereford when they got promoted from League Two under Turner. Hopefully the gaffer can persuade them to join our promotion push this season.

Turner certainly hasn’t had it easy since he became boss. The loss Kelvin Langmead, our most consistent player over the last few seasons, was a big blow. However, I hold no grudge against the player because he has given his all to the club and deserves a chance at playing higher level football.

The loss of Terry Dunfield was less of a blow.

All in all Town are not looking in bad shape with the first of our pre-season friendlies approaching. Three or four new faces should do the trick followed by a good showing pre-season.

Roll on August 7 when we start the new season with a tricky home tie against Bradford.