Boss Graham Turner today explained his decision to allow striker Matt Harrold to leave Shrewsbury Town, admitting: “We needed to change things around.”

Town agreed to sell Harrold to League Two rivals Bristol Rovers at the end of last week after just one season at Shrewsbury.

That was the first major transfer development of the summer at the Greenhous Meadow and Turner revealed: “Matt got nine goals for us last season but I just felt I needed to change one or two things around within the squad.”

Harrold’s departure means Turner will be looking to bring in at least one striker as he attempts to improve on last season’s automatic promotion near miss and play-off semi-final defeat.

Turner continues to be locked in talks with potential targets but has also looked ahead to the opening day clash with Plymouth on August 6 and what he believes will be a mouth-watering start to the campaign.

“It’s an attractive first game,” he said. “Plymouth are one of the biggest sides in League Two.

“They will be looking to bounce back after their financial woes and in Peter Reid as manager they have a very experienced football man so I think it’s a good start for us to look forward to.”

On the Carling Cup first round trip to Championship outfit Derby, Turner added; “It’s a hard one. They are one of the biggest teams involved at this stage of the competition.

“But we want to progress as far as we can in the competition so it’s a challenge and we have to rise to it.”

By JAMES GARRISON