'I feel confident' - Jamie Tolley backs Gavin Cowan passion to drive Shrewsbury Town revival

Tolley knows the new coaching team well and watched on as a resolute Shrewsbury side earned a point against Barnet in Cowan’s first match in charge, providing analysis for BBC Radio Shropshire.

And he is optimistic about what lies ahead as Cowan and his staff attempt to steer Town to safety in League Two.

"The initial thought was excitement," said the former Shrewsbury midfielder.

"Knowing Gav personally and how invested he is in Shrewsbury itself and the football club, and everything that he does around the town as well with his coaching schools, I think it was on the cards that at some point during his managerial career he would land on Salop. 

"Whether he anticipated it was going to be so quick I don't know, but I'm sure he's embracing it with both hands. 

"It was excitement especially with Dave coming in. That was a wise move by Gav bringing Dave in with his legendary status at the football club and obviously his know-how of various leagues that he's played. 

"He's played in almost every league there is in England. It's a really exciting appointment and I'm really invested myself and looking forward to seeing what they can do."

Tolley highlighted the contrast between Cowan and his predecessor Michael Appleton on the touchline during the draw at Barnet.

"There's a massive contrast between Gav stood on the touchline and the previous manager Michael Appleton. You could see that Michael's very reserved when he stood there, hands in his pockets, whereas Gav was out there screaming on the touchline, getting involved, kicking every ball. 

"You could see Dave is a little bit more reserved but they were still out there advising. That passion can only be a good thing and that can transfer to the players. 

"You could see a bit more of that in the team and they'd only had them for two days. So if that enthusiasm and passion comes across and the players take it on board, I think it's only a good thing for the club."

Tolley made more than 200 appearances for Salop, making his debut in November 1999 aged just 16 years and 193 days, becoming the youngest player in the club’s history.

During his time at Shrewsbury, which lasted until 2006, Tolley also lived with former England international and Town goalkeeper Joe Hart.

He knows Edwards particularly well. When Edwards made his professional debut for his hometown club in the final game of the 2002/03 season against Scunthorpe United - a match that confirmed Shrewsbury's relegation from the Football League - he came on as a substitute for Tolley.

The coaching role is Edwards' first since retiring from football following an illustrious career that included more than 300 appearances for Wolves, but Tolley believes he brings something vital to the setup.

"He can transfer the passion that's around the area about the football club and how much it means to the town and the supporters. But not only that, he's played in the Premier League hasn't he, so he brings a certain presence to the dressing room. 

"The lads who were there will want to listen to him, want to listen to his advice. There's a really good blend and I think between the three of them they almost cover every base."

Cowan's reign began with a goalless draw at Barnet. While the head coach admitted it was not "pleasant" on the eye, he vowed Shrewsbury would be hard to beat - and they delivered on that promise.

Salop had lost six of their previous seven League Two matches prior to the appointment, making the defensive response after just two days' preparation all the more impressive.

He continued: "First and foremost for any manager that was coming in it was about solidifying everything at the back and not conceding. Keeping that zero that you start with and I think that was the primary goal which was achieved. 

"That's a massive pat on the back to Gav, Jay and Dave and the players of course because they've had to carry out different instructions, different personnel in different positions so that was brilliant to see. 

"It's a platform now to build on. The more and more time that they get a chance to spend with the players, they can move on up the field, they can go to the midfield players and coach them a little bit more. 

"Then the forwards, how they're going to develop them to get more efforts at goals. So a great platform to start with."

Shrewsbury now sit three points clear of the League Two relegation zone, with Barrow and Bristol Rovers a point ahead and Crawley Town three points better off. And Tolley is confident Town can avoid the drop.

"If you look at the table it's really tight - i's like a mini league isn't it in itself down the bottom of the league," he said. 

"I feel a lot more confident. Just in terms of the passion that the three lads are going to bring and they're going to transfer to the players, I think that's massive. 

"They're thinking along the same lines that if you are passionate, if you do put everything in, every performance, leave nothing in the tank, I think that's only a good thing. I feel confident if they do them things then they'll be on the right end of results."