John Askey: Loan rangers can boost Shrewsbury Town squad
Shrewsbury boss John Askey will aim to reproduce the success of last season’s loan signings as he prepares to tap into the market.
The loan market played a pivotal part in Town’s success last season as Paul Hurst regularly called on the services of three temporary signings en route to the League One play-off final.
Norwich duo Carlton Morris and Ben Godfrey made more than 50 Town appearances and Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson was immensely popular as No.1.
Askey is aware that the loan market can be a gamble but is looking to secure more young players keen to do well and progress. The Town chief cites attitude as a key trait.
He said: “Yes, you have to have loans. It’s getting the right ones. The ones with the right attitude that obviously Shrewsbury did last season.
“The three that came in did great. It’s getting people in of that ilk. It’s not easy to do but hopefully we can do it.”
Hurst also brought in Max Lowe and Nathan Thomas on loan in January giving himself the full quota of loans permitted in a matchday squad.
Askey revealed he is not the biggest fan of the loan market, but still understands its importance. He is keen on permanent signings feeling at home at Montgomery Waters Meadow and Sundorne Castle.
“The number of loans depends what players we get in permanent,” he said.
“I don’t like having too many loans. I like players who sign for the football club and feel as though they belong to the football club. But if you can get the right loan in then they can be important in giving you that extra bit of quality.”
Many of Hurst’s Town signings were from the lower leagues, an area familiar to ex-Macclesfield man Askey – who is excited to work with ‘hungry’ players.
“I’m looking forward to working with them. One of the reasons they’ve done well is because they’ve got hunger,” the boss added.
“They wanted to prove themselves and that’s what they’ve done,” he added. “The most important thing now is reproducing that, that’s what good players do.
“Most of the players that are here, I’ve seen them play and I know a lot about them.
“It’s down to them to push themselves. Hopefully they’ve improved as players as the season went on.
“They’ve realised they can cope at this level. It should only give them confidence moving on.”
