Shropshire Star

Shrewsbury Town season preview: Dose of realism needed at Salop

Expectation is a funny thing in football.

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No Shrewsbury fans in their right mind expected last season to pan out how it did and they shouldn’t expect a repeat.

Supporters must remember where Town were before Paul Hurst’s appointment – scrapping for their lives to remain in the third tier. Hurst, while lambasted for the way he left Town so shortly after Wembley heartbreak in what feels like barely weeks ago, left the football club in a good position.

Prize assets with decent value on them, who are on lengthy contracts, remain at the club.

But a change in manager – and staff – is seismic in football and Town’s expectations under John Askey should be tempered.

That is no slight on Askey, but it is unfair to expect things will click in a similarly instant and successful manner.

Despite that, Askey and the club have done well and will be relieved to have the likes of Jon Nolan, Toto Nsiala and Omar Beckles remaining in blue and amber. There was understandable concern at least a couple of that trio could join a mass exodus from Montgomery Waters Meadow – and that would have left Askey with far more of a task on his hands.

So Town fans can be cautiously optimistic ahead of a season where they should have too much talent in their ranks to be sucked into a relegation dogfight.

Beckles said it himself in an interview earlier this summer that the experience these players gained last season should stand them in good stead.

Not every signing Askey has made has been greeted gleefully by the Salop faithful but, in times when football’s market continues to spiral out of control, a dose of realism must be heeded.

Anthony Grant of Peterborough, Ben Kennedy of Stevenage and Ollie Norburn of Tranmere were three talented midfielders linked with Town this summer but all were said to be out of reach financially.

At times when National League new-boys Salford City can throw £4,000-per-week around freely at targets, let’s remember the Shrewsbury model and how the club is run.

Askey and Town have had to shop in a different market and the likes of Fejiri Okenabirhie – so highly rated at the top of the non-league game – could prove to be a gem that brings success and makes Shrewsbury money in the future.

Snapping up Alex Gilliead from Newcastle shows even young players at the top clubs see Shrewsbury as a place to develop.

Noises coming from some Town players are there is enjoyment in how Askey wants to see the game played.

Displays in most of the friendlies have been open and fluid and supporters will back a team trying to play the right way, so long as Town aren’t too open.

The presence of Mat Sadler, Nsiala and Beckles should ensure that does not happen.

It will be intriguing to see whether Askey can build a strong bond with the Blue and Amber Army.

The move to Shropshire was a massive one for him and he has thrown himself into stamping his mark on things at Sundorne and getting his style across to what remains a talented squad.

If he can get off to a good start he will have the full backing of the Meadow crowd.

Askey is determined to ride the crest of last season’s wave.

Shrewsbury know repeating those dramatics is a tall order but they are determined to progress and further establish themselves in League One.

A 12th-place finish would be successful for Town. It would prove a very good campaign.

But should things click into gear then there is no reason why there can’t be more optimism.

Equally, there is a chance new members of the squad may struggle to adapt to the third tier.

That’s when the help of quality team-mates comes in and, more importantly, Askey’s coaching and credentials as a boss.

Hurst was an untested League One prospect when he arrived in October 2016 and he has paved the way for success under Askey.

If the new boss can help Town become an established League One club after two years in the division then he would have done a fine job.

The Boss: John Askey

Can the new boss lead Salop to success?

This was a huge move for John Askey.

Thirty-four years at one football club, both as a player and on the staff – across various roles – is unheard of.

He is a bona fide Macclesfield legend and was extremely comfortable in his position at Moss Rose.

That position was aided further by the almost-improbable National League title he secured last season, despite having a bottom-four budget at his disposal.

It says a lot about his ambition that he opted for the Shrewsbury job over taking his beloved Macc back into the Football League. He is known as ‘Sir John Askey’ in the Cheshire town but it will take an even better effort than Paul Hurst mustered last season for Askey to win similar acclaim in Shropshire.

There is no doubt he had a tricky start – through no fault of his own. It is never ideal losing key players but Askey saw the departures of Abu Ogogo, Junior Brown and Alex Rodman before a ball was kicked.

The new Town chief is a reserved and mild character in his press conferences and does not come across as a touchline ranter and raver. The pre-season friendlies have delivered an encouraging style of play in which Town have looked free and fluid in attack – players have confirmed they feel more open to express themselves.

Certain sections of the Salop fanbase have been underwhelmed at signings when compared to the outgoings, but Askey knows the lower divisions inside out and has been prudent getting bodies in. League One will be a real test for the boss but there is no doubt he is up for the challenge.

He was appointed in the Hurst mould and, if he gets close to his predecessor’s success, he will be a hit.

The Key Men

Jon Nolan

Jon Nolan impressed last season, can he do the same again? (AMA)

Town fans hope the ginger magician is still their player come the end of the transfer deadline on August 9.

Nolan, 26, showed just what he was about in a fine first season with Shrewsbury and it was little surprise reports began emerging of him being courted elsewhere.

But Town have held on to their prize asset and if he can rediscover the creative spark that spearheaded Shrewsbury’s charge of last season, it will prove to be a huge boost. When Nolan plays well, Town generally play well.

He keeps them ticking and makes things happen. Could shine in a free role.

Toto Nsiala

He's been a popular figure at the Meadow, will Toto Nsiala build on that? (AMA)

Another player Town fans hope to see at Montgomery Waters Meadow this season.

Nsiala was immense in his first full season at the club and has been a popular figure at Shrewsbury over 18 months.

He played every minute in League One last season until an unfortunate head injury in the spring and is a colossal presence in the heart of defence.

Nsiala forged a mean partnership with Mat Sadler and their understanding was crucial to Salop’s success. The 26-year-old is a key figure on and off the field and will play a big part in any success this season.

Shaun Whalley

Will Shaun Whalley impress this season? (AMA)

Town’s No 7 will be desperate to build on what was surely his most impressive season to date.

Whalley chipped in with 12 goals and laid on 15 assists to his team-mates last term as he became a key attacker in the Shrewsbury ranks.

John Askey is a keen user of ‘traditional’ out-and-out wingers and Whalley, who will turn 31 on August 7, fits the bill.

The Merseysider will be keen to show that last season’s flurry of goals and assists were not a fluke and he can be consistent across multiple campaigns. Should Askey decide to use his preferred 4-3-3 system, Whalley could find himself in a position to cause damage.

Alex Gilliead

An exciting signing. Will Alex Gilliead fit the bill?

Comes from Premier League Newcastle with an exciting reputation and is ready to make a name for himself.

Ironically, Gilliead sees himself best as a right winger so could be fighting Whalley for a place in the team – but you’d wager Askey would be keen to shoehorn them both into his starting XI.

The 22-year-old impressed twice against Town with loan club Bradford last term.

He is a tall, rangy winger with pace and trickery. Gilliead is Askey’s biggest capture, in terms of a signing showing his intent this summer. He could prove to be a hit.