Defender Darren Moss today set Shrewsbury a minimum target of seven points from the next available nine as they prepare to begin playing Christmas catch-up in League Two.

Moss acknowledges that Town’s performances and results in the opening 19 games of the season have fallen some way short of pre-season expectations.

But he believes some displays in the last few weeks have offered encouraging signs.

And he has now urged Shrewsbury to build on that in the forthcoming home matches against Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday and Stockport on Boxing Day, which have a trip to Accrington sandwiched between them.

“We have got a decent opportunity with a lot of games over Christmas to try and get as many maximum points as we can and get right back in there,” said the former Crewe defender.

“Hopefully we can get at least seven points from the next three games and then move on from there.

“It’s been so frustrating because we seem to have been winning one and then losing one – and it’s been like that for about two months.

“We are still only six points off the play-offs so we know if we can put a run together, it can all change quickly.

“We don’t want to be sitting in ninth, 10th or 11th place – we want to get promoted.

“There was plenty of hype at the start of the season with the new stadium and a decent squad but we have to do it on the pitch.

“I thought we played better against Macclesfield and for the first hour against Notts County, so there are decent signs and hopefully now we can get some consistency and climb the table.”

Moss has moved from his regular full-back position to play in a three-man central defensive unit of late.

And the 26-year-old is pleased with the way he has adjusted to his new role.

“The manager mentioned to me a couple of weeks ago that he was going to play three at the back and persist with it for a while and he thought I could do well at centre half,” Moss added.

“I’ve felt quite comfortable in there so far and I’ve enjoyed it, so hopefully I can hold down my place there.”

By James Garrison