Newly appointed Shrewsbury Town head coach Gareth Ainsworth has confirmed that his side is currently on the lookout for free agents to sign.
With the January transfer window still nearly a month away, it appears the Shrews are beginning preparations for improvements to be brought in.
Shrewsbury’s First Game under Ainsworth
Shrewsbury, who currently sit in 23rd place in League One, will likely need to make drastic changes to overcome the current predicament of their season. Despite winning his first game, this season will likely carry many challenges.
Despite an impressive 3-2 victory for Shrewsbury against title challengers Birmingham City, Ainsworth cannot allow his side to lose focus with this being just their second win in their last 15 games.
Ainsworth Considering His Options
In an interview following his side’s victory, Ainsworth stated the following.
“It would be silly not to be looking at everyone who’s available at the moment and everyone who may be available in January.
But that doesn’t mean I’m going to sign them. I’ve just won a game with a squad that everyone thought would get trounced in that game.
In football, you never know what’s going to happen. So there’s a chance, always.
But at the moment, right now, I am focusing on what I’ve got in that dressing room”
The Shrews May Look to Promote Internally
In keeping with this way of thinking, in a recent letter to the fanbase, director of football Micky Moore shared his belief that the Shrews should be promoting players internally.
“I’d like to congratulate our under-18s on beating Coalville 9-0 in the FA Cup.
There were lots of standout performers that night who are showing good progress.
They included our pathway players who are all out on loan and playing in non-league.
Hopefully, if they keep progressing, we might see one or two in our first team before the end of the season”
So, perhaps this may prove to be a cheaper alternative for Shrewsbury. It would appear likely that these changes are needed most in defence, with Shrewsbury currently suffering the joint worst goals conceded per game in the league.
Things do look to be more positive on the opposite end of the pitch, with Shrewsbury scoring the 16th most goals per game. Despite this, the awful form they are in coupled with their defensive numbers, things clearly need to change and fast if the Shrews are to avoid a drop to League Two for the first time since 2014.
Injury Updates
Shrewsbury fans can also take some comfort in the fact that Ainsworth claimed a victory against the Blues without a fully fit squad. Central defenders Morgan Feeney with an ankle issue and Josh Feeney with a hamstring issue, were absent but Ainsworth has confirmed they are now back in training.
“We’re looking pretty good. I think the boys who were in the treatment room, the three boys that were injured, are all back out on the pitches now.
A couple will be in training, which will be good. But JJ (Kayode) might not make full training just yet, he is just a little bit behind on team selection.
I think the Feeney boys are very close.”
Whether incomings take place or internal promotions, the main thing that the Croud Meadow faithful and owner Roland Wycherly will be concerned about is safety. The hope will now be that Ainsworth’s League One experience, which spans several hundreds of games, will be enough to see his new side remain in the English Third Tier.