Shrewsbury's John Askey ready to step out of comfort zone ahead of home bow

But the Shrewsbury manager is delighted to have made the decision to move away from his comfort zone of Macclesfield Town ahead of his belated introduction to the blue and amber faithful.

Championship Brentford, who boast ex-Town ace Ryan Woods among their ranks, are the visitors in another tough pre-season test for Askey’s troops.

But Shrewsbury have come through difficult challenges to date. Out-playing Bristol City at Ashton Gate and beating Burnley in their own back yard added to the comprehensive beating of Kidderminster.

Askey is looking forward to showing the supporters his new-look side and hopes it can be the beginning of a fruitful relationship.

“For me it’s a complete change and I don’t really know what to expect,” said the boss.

“It’ll be great to go in the stadium. It’s a lovely stadium and the supporters are good, I’m looking forward to it.

“Hopefully we can perform this season and give the supporters what they want.

“It does you good to get out your comfort zone and is something that I’ve maybe wanted to do for a number of years, as hard as it was to move.

“It was something that I needed and gets your appetite going.

“If I don’t do well it won’t be for the lack of trying. I’ll be doing everything I possibly can to try and make Shrewsbury successful. Hopefully it’ll be a good relationship.”

Askey, who will have Jon Nolan back available after his illness and will again run the rule on trialist midfielder Doug Loft, will be keen for his side to make it four games unbeaten.

But, while positive results have been well received by Town fans, Shrews’ new boss admitted performances are far more important than results in pre-season run-outs.

“Those results (so far) are much better (than having defeats). What it does is breeds confidence,” he added.

“Winning becomes a habit, like losing can become a habit. Hopefully we can keep that winning habit going.”

Askey continued: “It's all about the performance. I'm not too worried about the results in pre-season. I think if you can get the performances right then the results come.

"I want players to be going into the start of the season confident and they've been doing well.

“It carries on from last season, we’re trying to keep that feelgood factor. If the supporters are behind you it can make a massive difference.

“I’ve seen it where you go to football clubs and after half an hour frustration can kick in with supporters if things aren’t going quite well.

“But after half hour if supporters are still with you, even if you’re not playing particularly well, it makes a big difference. It can change a game.”

New goalkeeper Steve Arnold is expected to make his first appearance since signing a two-year deal against the side that finished ninth in the second tier last term.