Blog: Time for Shrewsbury Town to unwrap some festive points

As everyone in football is aware, the festive period is the most challenging, with plenty of points up for grabs with games coming thick and fast, Salops' season could be determined by the New Year.

With only one win in ten games, Shrewsbury need to turn the corner and the players need to stand up and be counted. Town need to start games at a much higher tempo and keep concentration for the full 90 minutes.

At Crawley, the Town conceded another early goal, which is a problem that's occurring far too often. But the players showed great character to turn the game around but let themselves down again, conceding a late equaliser to deny the blues three vital points.

It looks like Graham Tuner is clearing the decks for January, having sent Lee Collins and Julian Bennett back to their respective clubs. Turner has a shortlist of players for the New Year and hopefully with quality brought into the club they can steer us clear of relegation zone.

It would be a tremendous waste of time and effort for Shrewsbury to go straight back down, having waited for such a long time for promotion. But with the current situation we find ourselves in, changes are going to be needed in the January market. Players of proven quality that have played at the higher levels need to be attracted to the club; if that means spending money, then so be it.

Carlisle are the visitors on Saturday and it's crucial that Salop get back to winning ways, especially with the Cumbrians down in the dog fight with us. Mark Wright will be unavailable which could give Paul Parry a chance back in the starting 11.

It's was nice to see the players that have come through the youth system on the pitch at Crawley. Connor Goldson, Jon Taylor and Tom Bradshaw are the club's future and I hope they can continue their progression at Shrewsbury Town.