Shrewsbury Town aiming high next season

Town ended the League One campaign in 17th, albeit having achieved the target of safety from relegation following Cotterill’s November appointment.

The Shrews chief, however, missed the final four months of the season and Town struggled for wins having all-but wrapped up survival.

“We stayed in the division, which was the main aim when we took over, but the manager and the players knew that the squad there is better than 17th place,” said assistant Wilbraham, who stood in for the boss.

“The message from the gaffer was to not kid ourselves, that we’re happy to float above the relegation zone and stay in the league. We should’ve been in a higher position.

“It was a mixture of emotions after a hard, long, relentless season.”

Wilbraham added: “I think he can (see the bigger picture) – but he also would never be satisfied at being around 17th.

“When he reflects on the season he’ll be happy with what we’ve achieved from when we took over. The position the club were in, the main aim was to be safe, but we maybe could’ve kicked on a little bit more and separated ourselves from those bottom places and we weren’t able to do that.

“A bit of fatigue kicked in but overall we take the position we finished in.”

Cotterill returned for the final three games of the campaign and watched from the directors’ box.

The boss is under way in his big summer rebuild at Montgomery Waters Meadow, where all-but two of 13 out-of-contact players were released, with Shaun Whalley staying on and Daniel Udoh offered new terms.

“Although results didn’t go well a couple of times he definitely would’ve enjoyed being back at games and it’s a taster for him to then get the appetite back to go again pre-season,” Wilbraham added. “I know he’ll be looking forward to getting the squad ready to go again come July.”