The big winners and losers from Shrewsbury Town’s pre-season

Shrewsbury Town’s pre-season is over - now the real business begins.

Gavin Cowan has had the chance to assess his eight summer signings, hand opportunities to several academy prospects and mould a new-look squad ahead of the League Two campaign.

Here are the winners and losers from Salop’s pre-season.

Winners

Defining a winner is subjective. Every player has benefited from valuable minutes and match sharpness, but a few have stood out with impressive summers.

Isaac Fletcher

Summer signing Isaac Fletcher has made an immediate impression.

The attacking midfielder arrived from relegated Barrow but has quickly shown the quality he can bring to Shrewsbury’s frontline.

Fletcher has added energy, physicality and a goal threat. He has been excellent at attacking second balls, competing aerially and making late runs into the box.

His first Town goal against West Brom highlighted his reactions and ‘fox in the box’ ability, while his stunning late winner against Aston Villa’s youngsters on Saturday showcased the quality he possesses.

On early evidence, Fletcher looks capable of adding the goals Salop lacked at times last season.

Arkell Jude-Boyd

Like Fletcher, Arkell Jude-Boyd has settled quickly into life at the Croud Meadow.

The right-sided player has been one of Shrewsbury’s brightest attacking outlets, regularly driving forward, delivering dangerous crosses and causing defenders problems.

It has been an encouraging start, and there is every reason to believe he can become a key player this season.

Isaac England

If his new number four shirt is anything to go by, academy graduate Isaac England has a significant role to play this season.

His regular involvement throughout pre-season certainly suggests that is the case.

England has looked composed alongside Jay Turner-Cooke in midfield, helping dictate play, switching possession effectively and getting into promising attacking areas.

Fellow academy graduate Will Gray also deserves a mention after impressing throughout pre-season and earning his first professional contract.

After injuries disrupted the latter stages of last season, England has returned looking confident and ready to make an impact.

Losers

These players have not necessarily had poor pre-seasons, but circumstances have limited their progress.

Luca Hoole

Retaining Luca Hoole was one of Shrewsbury’s biggest pieces of summer business.

Unfortunately, an ankle injury suffered in Town’s opening friendly ruled him out for the remainder of pre-season.

After such an impressive campaign last season, it is frustrating for both player and club, with the hope now being that he returns as soon as possible.

Jack Price

There was plenty of excitement surrounding Jack Price’s return to his hometown club, and he looked composed during his early appearances.

However, a heel problem has sidelined the experienced midfielder in recent weeks.

It is not a fitness concern, but the timing has been unfortunate after arriving eager to hit the ground running.

Sam Proctor

The battle to become Shrewsbury’s first-choice goalkeeper appears to have swung in Will Brook’s favour.

Sam Proctor has shown his ability with several impressive saves, but there have also been costly moments.

A bizarre own goal against Aston Villa’s youngsters, when the ball slipped under his foot, was followed by hesitation when rushing from his line, gifting Villa another chance.

Pre-season is exactly the time to iron out those mistakes, but Brook has looked the stronger of the two goalkeepers heading into the new campaign.