Preview: The key changes as Shrewsbury Town look to build on recent form at Oldham Athletic

But with that form - which is three unbeaten, taking into account the 0-0 draw at Barrow - it would be a surprise if the boss deviates too far from his recent plan for tomorrow's trip to Oldham Athletic.

One of the revelations of recent weeks has been the emergence of Luca Hoole as a right-sided centre-back, rather than his usual role as a wing-back or traditional full-back.

"He has got a bit of pace straight away and athleticism which is a bonus," said Appleton. "Playing as an outside centre-half does simplify your game and that has been a big thing for him.

"It simplifies the options you have with the ball instead of at wing-back, it limits the amount of times he receives the ball square or with his back to the play - as a centre-half everything is in front of you.

"He has other attributes too, he is a decent ball carrier. He has had a change of position and I am delighted he has stood up to that. He had a difficult season last season and came in during the MK Dons game and the last two games he has been very good."

George Lloyd and Will Brook have been thrust into the line-up with success, while other changes have been slightly more subtle - Will Boyle wearing the captain's armband, Tommy McDermott being given licence to play further forward and Taylor Perry taking up a slightly different central midfield role as he racked up his 100th appearance in blue and amber.

"Taylor is playing a little bit more of a deeper role for us at the minute and he's taking that responsibility on board," said Appleton. "He looks like he's enjoying it because he's a very attack-minded player, but I think that he's got energy and athleticism to jump on things and he can deal with the ball, so we have to give him the ball, he can deal with that.

"I think he's actually enjoying the responsibility he's got from a defensive point of view at the minute, and he seems to be thriving from it."

Though there are unlikely be many - if any changes - new signing Josh Ruffels will no doubt get some more minutes from the bench as he looks to build on his 15-minute cameo at the end of the win over Crawley last week.

"The best way I can describe Josh Ruffels is reliable," added Appleton. "I worked with him for three to four years at Oxford and he can play four or five different positions, you know what you are getting. He's a minimum seven out of 10 every single week. 

"He's a good footballer, and he will be a real addition for us and I think he's shown his qualities and his calmness when he came on the pitch."