Comment: Shrewsbury boss John Askey may look to shuffle the pack

The Town boss used an unchanged XI for only the second time in his Montgomery Waters Meadow tenure last week at Scunthorpe.

Who could blame him after the previous week’s success against Southend?

But the same batch of players failed to deliver at Glanford Park, when Askey was most keen to build up some momentum and form.

Askey is fortunate to boast a big squad and plenty of players waiting in the wings for their first real crack at League One football with Town. Today’s visit of luckless Gillingham seems, on the face of it, a good opportunity to rotate.

So how does the boss go about drip-feeding them in?

The upcoming schedule certainly helps. Town play Saturday-Tuesday football for the next two weeks. Three weeks in October they are tackling the quick turnaround of midweek football – which unquestionably has an impact on team selection.

But Askey’s management mettle will be tested beyond resting tired legs and assessing niggles.

How much does he react from last weekend’s disappointment? Does it truly force his hand? He openly admitted yesterday that it was the first time he had really come away from a game disappointed.

Askey was not shy in questioning some players’ application and leadership. Pretty scathing stuff.

He may decide it is time to ring the changes. Askey’s poker face gave little away at yesterday’s press conference as he weighed up whether to stick or twist.

You could sense the loyalty his feels towards the consistent group of a dozen or so that have put in some committed displays – albeit without yielding positive results – against some decent League One sides.

So would it be harsh to cull one or more of those players because of one below-par display? You could argue doing so would be setting a precedent – one bad display and you’re out.

Askey also spoke about the tactical side of chopping and changing.

He has stuck to his guns with the favoured 4-3-3 system so far this term. That system allows one centre-forward flanked by two advanced wingers.

Three midfielders back them. Askey likes the system because it allows control in midfield and the manager believes that is a key battle.

Many supporters are keen to see Askey rip up the system and use two strikers in a throwback to the classic 4-4-2.

To back that up, Town have – at times – looked potent when the boss has sent Aaron Amadi-Holloway alongside Lee Angol or Lenell John-Lewis. But it would sacrifice a central midfield player. OK if Shrews are chasing an equaliser late on, but a possible risk to go with from the off.

Askey felt that, after a brief spark in performance when Amadi-Holloway was sent on at Scunthorpe last week, his side lost control.

And that is why he is wary of mixing up the formation. Stick or twist fits the bill well. To try to strengthen in other areas of the pitch, you may be weakening another.

But, in the cold light of day, Town have not had the results they would have wanted and, because of this, the manager is considering changes.

It was a smart move to play a practice match with Burton in the week. It blows the cobwebs off the fringe players and prepares them for a far more intense October than September proved.

They will be required, whether it is form, fitness, suspensions or other. This is when things start to really take shape.