Boss Graham Turner today called on Shrewsbury Town’s “characters” to rise to the fore as they attempt to recover from a slow start to 2011 this weekend.

Back-to-back home defeats have seen Town slip to seventh place in League Two ahead of Saturday’s trip to Barnet.

And Turner is eyeing a big response as his side aim to bring an end to their recent stutter.

“Having got a good draw at Burton (on New Year’s Day), we were looking forward to two home matches,” said the Town boss.

“I would not have envisaged that we wouldn’t take any points from those two games – but these things happen during the course of a season.

“It’s at times like this that you find out about characters in the team and those that can stand up and face the extra pressure that comes with the recent results.

“We have to hold it together now and make sure the characters in the side take charge – and make sure we perform at Barnet.

“It’s not an easy place to go to in the circumstances, but it is a key test in the season.”

Turner, continuing to chase up to three new recruits, believes his side’s return to a full training schedule will be of major benefit.

“When things go wrong, you have to look for reasons – not excuses,” he added.

“We had a period with the weather where we couldn’t get on grass and we couldn’t do the team shape and team work.

“This week, we will have had a full week on grass and we can do some fitness work and shape work for the team.

“It has been the same for every side but certainly the weather has disrupted our schedule and, I think, disrupted our play.”

As planned, midfielder Craig Disley came through just over an hour of yesterday’s 3-1 reserve team defeat at Preston.