Micky Mellon ponders Shrewsbury's systems
Boss Micky Mellon is anticipating using a fluid system to get the best out of his Shrewsbury Town team this season – but won't get bogged down with formations.
The Greenhous Meadow chief is keen to play down talk of formations after his Salop side began pre-season fielding a 4-2-3-1 system.
Last season, Mellon and Town reverted back to 3-5-2, the system used during their League Two promotion-winning campaign of 2014-15, after beginning the season with more of a traditional 4-4-2 system.
After admitting the first-team squad have been undertaking formation and shape drills during the off-season, the boss admitted his reluctance to officially title the way his side play.
Mellon opted for a 4-4-2 in a makeshift side that lost 2-0 at Stourbridge last night. He said: "I don't really know, I've never been one of the managers to select formations.
"We'll kick off 4-4-2 or whatever you want to call it but players have the licence to move into areas.
"They know the areas that we're trying to exploit, so it's very difficult for me to say without it trying to be too clever, like you hear some managers saying."
Town have an abundance of midfielders able to feature as the two defensive midfielders in front of the back four.
They include Abu Ogogo, Ian Black, Richie Wellens, Gary Deegan, with James Wesolowski's contract negotiations still ongoing.
Antoni Sarcevic, a summer arrival from Fleetwood, has also occupied one of the more defensive roles.
Mellon said: "I don't really know what we play, because sometimes I'll ask the midfield players to drop in between the two centre-backs like we would do with three centre-backs.
"It's about finding a way to get control on games and win games, we've got some players who can see the opportunities and exploit opposition."
