Omar Beckles picks up tips from his Shrewsbury Town rival
Omar Beckles says he is learning from fellow defender Ryan Haynes as the two vie for a place in John Askey’s Shrewsbury team.
Central defender-turned-left-back Beckles, who has made 62 appearances in just over a year with Salop, is four years Haynes’ senior but has had to adapt to a new position.
Haynes was signed in the summer from boyhood club Coventry as Town’s answer to the left-back problem, where Beckles had to fill in for the entirety of last season under Paul Hurst.
Boss Askey started the season with Haynes in the role before a couple of errors saw Beckles come back in to his unnatural position.
Beckles said: “We still have a fine relationship and still get on.
“I probably ask him more than he asks me because I’m learning how to do the left-back thing, I’m trying to pick stuff up off him to better myself.”
The powerful central defender, formerly of Accrington, backed 23-year-old Haynes – who has had his defensive capabilities questioned by fans – to live up to his potential.
“He’s just waiting for his moment and time,” Beckles added.
“He’s a good player. He’s a really good player, I really like Haynesy, I think when he gets his opportunity, with the more experience and the more he grows physically, he’s going to be a really good player in the future.”
When asked if the duo are taking bits from each other, he added: “Definitely, I’ve watched him and he just keeps driving forward. I do doubt whether I could progress as a left-back but I think it’s something I could add to my game in the position.”
Askey’s Town, who are one point outside the League One drop zone, head to the second-bottom Wimbledon desperate for their first away win of the season.
The Shrews boss’s future has been up in the air this week after the capitulation at Oxford last weekend.
A fortnight break from league action follows the Kingsmeadow clash, as Shrewsbury turn their attentions to the FA Cup, where a potential banana skin lies ahead with the visit of heavily-backed National League leaders Salford City.
Town then face Rochdale, Wycombe, Plymouth and Burton – all current positioned 14th or below in League One – in a crucial run of games.
