Rivals Review - Shrewsbury Town

Position: 17th

Record: P38 W 11 D 10 L 17

Recent form: L,L,D,D,L,D

Simpson

Manager: Paul Simpson was appointed as Shrewsbury boss two weeks ago and has been given simple instructions to retain the Shrews' Football League status before building for next season. The former Preston manager has a highly impressive CV winning the Conference play-off's and League Two title with Carlisle United. He could be the man to take Town to the next level with their fine new stadium and array of young talent. He is renowned for getting the best from his small squads.

Top scorer: Dave Hibbert, 12 goals. The Shrews top scorer enjoyed a superb start to the campaign with seven goals from his first eleven league games but the ticker has dried up since the turn of Christmas with the 22-

Hibbert

year-old netting only twice this calendar year with his most recent being in last weekend's 2-1 loss at Macclesfield Town. The former Rotherham United man has been given a boost by recent comments in the press from Paul Simpson. He is a confidence player, but he will score goals if given the chances.

Strengths: Infrastructure and potential at New Meadow is as high as anywhere in the division. The Shrews are a side ready for greater things. A real professional style to the club and thriving fan base make progress possible. Town also have a crop of players caoable of playing at a higher standard, none moreso than creative midfielder Ben Davies. Once a manager gets things right on the pitch and gets lucky with injuries, it is easy to see the Shropshire club going from strength to strength.

Weaknesses: Shrewsbury's downfall this season has been due to an inexperienced threadbare squad. Town have just four players over the age of 26 and this factor has cost them the staying power at the top end of the division. Simpson has already looked to rectify this situation with the addition of Doncaster Rovers captain Graeme Lee to the ranks.

Best win: 4-0 v Lincoln, Sincil Bank. 11 August 2007

Worst defeat: 4-1 v Barnet, Underhill. 01 March 2008

In form player: Kelvin Langmead has produced some good displays at centre-back in the last three games. After the 4-1 drubbing at Barnet, the 22-year-old has brought in some solid showings to help Town to cinceding just

Tierney

three in the same games in recent weeks. Signed by Gary Peters, Langmead was originally a striker but moved into defence last season. He is coming into his own and recent consistent form shows this.

Player of the season: Marc Tierney has missed just two league games all term for the Shrews this campaign and been the most consistent player in the Town squad. The 22-year-old has been an instant hit at New Meadow since joining from Oldham las January. Some superb displays helped Peter's men to the play-off final at Wembley last season, but he was sent off in the dying stages of the match. He is a hard working warrior.

End of season history: The Shrews finished the season at full strength last season losing just one of their final seven league matches to creep into the play-off running.