Shrewsbury Town fighting fit for big games, says John Filan
Assistant boss John Filan believes Shrewsbury Town are in peak fitness to move away from the League One drop zone.
Filan said that John Askey’s backroom staff have not called into question the physical condition of Town’s squad during a tough start to the season.
Jordan Beech was named as the new first-team physio at Montgomery Waters Meadow in the summer as he replaced long-term occupant Chris Skitt, who left to join Paul Hurst’s Ipswich.
Town, 20th in League One, welcome 21st-placed Gillingham in an important home fixture tomorrow.
“Fitness-wise I think we’re spot on,” said Askey’s No.2 Filan.
“I’ve never stood on the side of the pitch and thought ‘Our fitness is letting us down’.
“The staff, Marc (Lindsay, fitness coach), Jordan and everyone, have been brilliant, they work really hard and probably don’t get the praise they deserve.
“Seeing the players in training and their application in games, it’s rare that we’ve considered someone’s fitness as the reason to make a change.
“I think the manager is very happy with where they’re at. The staff are there to monitor it and apply things to training that are required.
“Fitness is superb for the group and that’s credit to the players. It’s a part of the game that doesn’t require any skill level, you’ve just got to work hard.”
Winger Abo Eisa (knee) is currently the only member of former academy physio Beech’s treatment room. He will not be ready to feature in time for tomorrow’s Gills visit. Town beat Burton 2-1 in a practice match on Wednesday to offer precious minutes to fringe players.
Lenell John-Lewis missed last week’s defeat at Scunthorpe through illness.
Filan insisted that the management’s preparation for games has been ‘great’.
“The best compliment for Jordan is that it seems like he’s been here for a long time,” added Filan.
“In the first week or two he came in and put his style on the physio room.
“He’s done everything the manager would expect and ask him to do.
“He’s an important member of the staff, as is Danny Coyne, the list goes on – that’s what makes a good football club.
“The preparation’s a big thing, once the players go on the pitch there’s not much we can affect.
“The preparation from the staff has been great, they’ve enjoyed Jordan coming in and being involved.”
