Simpson: "Forget play-offs — for now"

Town have lost four consecutive games to leave even their League Two play-off promotion hopes hanging by a thread.

Manager Simpson took the brunt of the flak from fans after last Saturday's shock 2-0 reverse at home to bottom club Darlington.

And he wants his players to focus solely on winning the Easter Saturday trip to Torquay United, rather than worrying about the big picture.

"We've got to forget about everything that has gone on and not even think about the play-offs," said Simpson.

"Instead of talking about wanting to achieve something, let's try and go out just thinking about winning one game of football.

"You can't take the pressure off completely, the players feel it even though it's me getting the abuse.

"But we're away from home on Saturday so it might be a little bit different. Hopefully the players can go out and play."

Simpson admits he is under pressure after Shrewsbury's worst run of results this season.

But he insists it is nothing he has not handled before and is ready to face the challenge head on.

"I'd rather have this sort of pressure – being in the top half and trying to get promotion instead of being at the bottom and going out of the league," he declared.

"I'd rather be winning games of football of course. March has not been a good month and I'll be glad to see the back of it and get into April."

Meanwhile, Simpson named a strong reserve side for this afternoon's clash at totesport.com Central Division leaders Derby, a match being played at Alfreton's Impact Arena.

It featured nine players who have first team experience this season, with Dutchman Benjamin van den Broek set to get an attacking role playing off striker Kris Bright.

Team for reserve game at Derby: Arestidou, D Taylor, Goldson, Hooman, Wells, van den Broek, Richards, J Simpson, L Neal, Leslie, Bright.

By CHRIS HUDSON