Halting Holt will be vital

Last updated : 28 August 2008 By Dane Vincent

Shrewsbury Town will be hoping for record signing, Grant Holt to add to the two goals he has already accrued so far this season.

Consistent: Holt is a proven goal-scorer in League Two...
Signed for an impressive £170,000 from Nottingham Forest in the summer, the Shrews will be expecting him to repay the investment with an array of goals.

Already he has found the net in two of his side's three victories, striking home a penalty in the 4-0 win over Macclesfield Town, and grabbing a late winner against Aldershot Town with a stooping header.

Holt's attacking threat cannot be underestimated, shown by his imposing strike rates with lower league teams.

At Rochdale, he averaged nearly a goal every two games, scoring 42 times in 85 appearances, tempting Forest to splash out £300,000 for his services.

In the 2006/2007 season he found himself awarded the Reds' Player of the Season award, after hitting the target on 18 occasions despite being limited to a bit-part role.

Returning to a regular starting position at Shrewsbury, it looks as though the 27-year-old's eye for goal has been rejuvenated, following a tough spell at Forest last year, which saw him score just three times.

Notts' defence will have to keep tight to the dangerous forward if they are to prevent him from building on his goal tally.

Menace: Edwards has scored many from set-pieces in the past...

Notts County will be relying on Michael Johnson and Mike Edwards to ensure that the defensive line remains as resistant as possible against a strong attacking Shrewsbury side.

With County continuing to find it difficult to score more than once in a game, the duo's organisational qualities will have to shut-out the visitors completely to give their side a chance of stealing something from the game.

The pair will be just as crucial to offensive set-pieces with their ability to physically unsettle the opposition's defence.

Edwards provided seven goals in the 2005/2006 season, proving a menace from set-plays under Gudjon Thordarson.

A return to this rich vein of goal-scoring form would be warmly welcomed by Ian McParland, who has yet to see his side overcome the attacking frustrations that have dogged the team for too long.