Ian Sharps says Shrews need consistency

Captain Ian Sharps believes consistency is the key to Shrewsbury Town's chances of climbing out of the Football League basement.

The 30-year-old will lead Town out at Southend tomorrow as they bid to build on Tuesday's 3-0 win over Burton Albion, which lifted them back into the League Two play-off places.

And Sharps sees no reason why they can not aspire to automatic promotion by putting a strong run of results together in the weeks ahead.

"We've been a bit inconsistent recently," said Sharps. "We had a good performance against Chesterfield and then two of our worst against Oxford and Bury before a better one against Burton.

"If we can be more consistent then I still don't think we'll be too far away. Our goal all season has been to be promoted as champions and we're still working towards that.

"Things can change quickly and, within three or four games, the league could take on a totally different perspective."

Meanwhile, boss Graham Turner faces a selection headache for the trip to Roots Hall as he ponders which of his six deadline day recruits to involve.

On-loan Wolves midfielder David Davis and defender Jermaine Grandison, whose loan from Coventry was turned into a permanent move, both featured against Burton.

But loanees keeper Lee Nicholls, from Wigan and West Brom defender Paul Downing are now eligible along with permanent signings right-back Kelvin Lomax, recruited after his release from Oldham, and midfielder Nicky Wroe from Torquay.

"The manager's got a hard selection to make," added Sharps. "He's ch-anged things around and that's provided competition for places."

The trip to Southend will see a reunion with defender Graham Coughlan, the man Sharps replaced as Shrewsbury skipper.

Sharps admits the Shri-mpers, who have won four of their last five, will provide a tough test.

"They've improved dramatically," said Sharps. "They're a good team and they played quite well against us earlier in the season (in a 1-1 draw)."

By CHRIS HUDSON