Junior Brown admits Shrewsbury Town face a critical week
Junior Brown has targeted a festive winning run to give Shrewsbury Town a 'dramatic' start to the new year.
Starting last week against Swindon and continuing with today's visit of Fleetwood, Micky Mellon's side have a four-match programme all against teams around them, with Crewe on Monday then Chesterfield away on Saturday.
Salop were beaten 1-0 by Swindon to fall within a point and a place of the League One drop zone, but in-form Brown believes they can recover quickly.
"With so many games against teams around us, it's a vital time. If we can pick up points now, it can have a dramatic effect on where we'll be at the end of January," said Brown, who was due to face his old club today.
"So we've got to make the most of it. It's going to be difficult but we have to do it and if we can do it right with the commitment and energy we've got – which I think we will – come the end of January we'll be looking more positively."
Brown admitted there was no points target in mind from the four games, but said the players had a positive mindset. "We go into every game aiming to win and hopefully we'll get our rewards," he added.
And he thanked today's opponents for giving him a different perspective. The 26-year-old spent four years with the Cod Army after he drifted into non-league when he was released from Crewe.
"To drop out of the League stood me in good stead," he said. "I learned a harsher side to football and it gives you more drive and edge. But it formed me as a person. A lot of lads released at the same time gave up and thought their dream was over. I got myself back into the League."
Meanwhile, Town's plans for the January transfer window have started.
Chairman Roland Wycherley, chief executive Matt Williams and boss Micky Mellon met on Wednesday to discuss ins and outs.
Town want to pay some players up next month but contract settlements have to be negotiated before they can bring anyone else in.
Top of the recruitment list will be trying to bring back Sullay Kaikai after he was recalled by Crystal Palace because of injuries.
Williams said: "Everyone I've spoken to at Palace assures me Sullay's gone back to cover injuries they've got, so we'll have to see.
"Trying to get hold of agents at this time is difficult. I don't think anything's going to happen before next Saturday."
Town summer target Chris Dagnall has signed for Hibernian until June.
