Sam Ricketts ready to work Shrewsbury Town on the training pitch
Shrewsbury manager Sam Ricketts is braced to build up more of an understanding with his players as Town’s schedule cools down.
Saturday’s defeat at Burton, Ricketts’ first in charge in League One, was a sixth game in 18 days to end a relentless run for Salop.
Ricketts, who is assisted by Danny Coyne and Eric Ramsay, is looking forward to an extended period of training for the first time as Town boss.
The Welshman says he will be using the period of two free midweeks – as Town tackle back-to-back Saturday home games against Peterborough and Coventry before Christmas – to install beliefs and ideas into his ranks.
Asked if he is looking forward to a period of training at Sundorne Castle, Ricketts said: “Yes, definitely. Playing games is brilliant, but there are areas to tighten up on, to work the lads with.
“It’ll be a good week and a good opportunity to get them together and work with them.”
Town beat Walsall in the Checkatrade Trophy last Wednesday in Ricketts’ first game in charge. The boss added: “It was a busy week but this is why we love football, you’re busy doing things you love doing.
“I look forward to installing a few beliefs and ideas into the team. It’s a really good opportunity for them to understand me a little bit more and for me to understand them a little bit more.”
When asked if he welcomed the break from matches for more time on the training ground, Ricketts replied: “Definitely.
“That’s not just me saying that, it’s Danny and Eric who’ve been in charge for a few weeks and they’ve had Saturday-Tuesday.
“They’re looking forward to it as well, an opportunity to get some work done on the training ground, tighten up in a few areas, get better in some areas.
“Because ultimately we need time to work with the players to make them better.”
Ricketts was boosted by the return of midfielder Ollie Norburn from a knee problem for the Burton clash.
And summer signing Norburn gave an industrious display after missing two games.
“He’s a good young player with a good attitude,” said Ricketts.
“He was very good with his tackling, stepping in and then that through ball, something we’re especially working on with Aaron (Amadi-Holloway), Fey (Okenabirhie), Lenny (John-Lewis), all the forwards here with pace and power.”
