Shrewsbury Town boss targets a trophy boost

Manager Graham Turner has been satisfied with his team's start to the league campaign, which has seen them take six points from their opening five games.

Town have started to put together a decent run having followed their 2-0 home win over Swindon two-and-a-half weeks ago with back-to-back draws against Rotherham and Coventry.

And Turner says his team must keep confidence on a high by extending that run against Lee Johnson's Latics this evening.

He said: "We have got another game tonight and let's keep the confidence high.

"We are three games unbeaten and it has been a reasonable start.

"We looked at our fixtures and on paper it looked as though it was going to be a tough opening few games, but we have done OK.

"And we want to win the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. I have said many times that it is a good competition when you get to the later stages. And in order to get there you have got to win the first stages.

"You look at the prospect of an appearance in the final at Wembley and the crowd you would get there, the lift it would give the club. It is an important competition."

Turner has said he will make a small number of changes to the side which drew 1-1 at home with Coventry on Saturday.

Second-choice goalkeeper Joe Anyon could be handed his first start of the season in place of regular first team shot-stopper Chris Weale.

Turner said: "There will be one or two changes, but equally I want to win the game so there won't be that many.

"It remains to be seen whether we give Joe a game tonight, but it's a possibility. He has been doing very well in training and reserve games so that is a distinct possibility."

Meanwhile Turner is hoping that the slightly earlier-than-usual midweek kick-off time of 7.30pm will entice more families to attend tonight.

He said: "It is a slightly earlier kick-off time. We wanted 7pm just to try to entice more families down and it is an opportunity to bring the family down and see what football is all about."