Shrewsbury Town comment: Don’t be fooled by Dave Edwards' unlucky start
A bit later that most had hoped – but Dave Edwards’ second spell at Shrewsbury Town is finally about to kick off.
He is not expected to saunter straight back into Sam Ricketts’ starting XI against AFC Wimbledon today, but a place on the bench will be just his third appearance in the matchday squad some 55 days after finalising his dream return.
It’s not been easy, that’s for sure. It’s not been the way the former Wales international will have imagined or dreamed it.
Two cameos from the bench, one tweak of the groin and one straight red. About 15 minutes of action all-told.
Sometimes the football gods aren’t on your side and you have to knuckle down and move on. The 33-year-old is, at least, feeling fighting fit ahead of his return to action today.
Don’t be fooled into thinking Edwards’ unfortunate start to life back in Shropshire will be how his homecoming plays out for months and years to come.
What remains is a footballer desperate to do well, with much still to offer to this team and the squad Ricketts plans to build in the summer for next season.
If, as expected, Ollie Norburn is back in the team for the suspended Anthony Grant today then that will be the right call from the Town boss. Ricketts must reward Norburn for his decent displays, he may feel that to bring Edwards straight back into the side sets the wrong precedent.
But that does not mean Edwards is not central to the manager’s plans moving forward.
Edwards admitted during the week, when he headlined the official unveiling at the Community Football Hub, that – if anything – he was too driven and hungry to hit the ground running.
Even in training the box-to-box midfield man was pushing himself so hard, almost to the limit, and topping all of the energy charts.
He realises, now the dust has settled, that it was too much and, looking back, it was possibly no surprise his groin couldn’t cope in that late introduction against Charlton in January.
“I’m so desperate to do well,” he said. “I’ve got to rein it in as we saw against Bristol Rovers!
“And also when I came on against Charlton and got injured. I really want to be part of something special here.”
Another thing that struck me while watching on as Edwards was in conversation on Wednesday evening, was how much he brings to the cause off the pitch.
Head of Town’s In The Community trust, Jamie Edwards, quipped that he couldn’t wait to get Edwards involved in more community events, because the Pontesbury lad is the ultimate Shrewsbury ambassador.
And that is superb for the club. He is a real success story and an inspiration.
But he is not here for that. He is not here to bang the drum to schoolchildren, he is not here to advise Town’s younger players or act as ringleader behind the scenes, he is here to play and help his club.
Town’s midfield have stepped things up of late. Norburn and Josh Laurent have been in good form, Grant is at his imperious best, while it is a relief to see Greg Docherty overcome a worrying eye injury.
They may have stepped it up because they are aware Edwards is returning to the fold and will be doing his utmost to be involved as soon as possible.
Edwards will be gunning to play as much football as he can before the season is up and make himself a fixture in what is an exciting Town midfield.
His influence on this group and this team should not be understated. Edwards can and will make a big difference when he gets himself on the pitch and back in blue and amber.
His first Shrewsbury start since May 5, 2007, is around the corner and there will be nobody more ready when it comes around.
