New skipper Ben Davies believes Shrewsbury Town have what it takes to halt their three-game losing streak with a much-needed win at League Two’s surprise package Hereford United on Sunday – insisting: “We’re more than capable of going there and beating them.”
Davies, handed the captaincy by boss Gary Peters following the departure of Stewart Drummond, admits his first game with the armband against Brentford last weekend was a disappointment. But the popular midfielder still feels Town are good enough to challenge for a play-off spot over the closing months of the season.
And he reckons having a local derby tussle next on their fixture list – Sunday’s Edgar Street clash kicks off at 2pm – could be just what the players need.
Graham Turner’s Hereford are enjoying an excellent season and with former Gay Meadow man Ben Smith in top form they are currently in second spot in the table and on course for automatic promotion.
“Hereford’s always a hard place to go and it will be a tough game,” said Davies. “I am surprised how well they’re doing and they’ve not lost many games at home this season but we’re more than capable of going there and beating them.
“We were disappointed with the performance and how we played against Brentford and conceding from another set piece.
“But we’ve got to put that behind us now and with a big game coming up against Hereford, we need to get back on track.
“We won there last year when we scored from a corner. It was towards the end of the season and it was an important game. Now it’s equally important we go there and get a good result.”
Davies, who is feeling stronger with every game he plays after his welcome return from injury, is determined to try and lead from the front after being picked to succeed Drummond as captain, a role he’s proud to have.
“Drums is a top man, a good player and a good captain, but he’s gone now so hopefully I can step up and start getting us winning games,” he said.
“I’ll just approach things the way I normally do. The main thing is we get results and to be a leader out on the pitch, which is important.”
Despite Town’s current poor run of results which has seen them fall to 12th spot in League Two, Davies remains confident Shrewsbury can emulate what they achieved last season by clinching a top seven place.
“The play-offs are still more than there to go for and it’s still in our sights,” he insisted. “We need to get on a run and get a bit of momentum.
“There’s no reason why we can’t do that and we’re two or three wins away from being in there again. We just need to get a little bit of consistency and then we will start climbing again.”
Davies was quick to welcome last week’s arrival of Kevin McIntyre from Macclesfield for a fee which could rise to £55,000, stressing he rates the Liverpudlian highly.
“I was with Macca for a couple of years at Chester and know what he brings,” he said. “He’s got a great left foot and he loves a tackle. You didn’t see the best of Macca last Saturday the way the game went but you will see how good he is over the next few months.”
Davies added, despite speculation linking him with other clubs, notably Nottingham Forest, it was his intention to see out his contract with Shrewsbury which runs until the end of next season.
Meanwhile, Town boss Peters is continuing his search for a striker after meeting with frustration in his attempts to entice a new frontman to the club so far.
Town agreed a £75,000 fee for Accrington’s top scorer Paul Mullin but the 33-year-old opted to remain in Lancashire. Blackpool’s Scott Vernon, Millwall’s Ben May, Richard Walker of Bristol Rovers and Barnet’s Liam Hatch have also proved unsuccessful targets.
“We feel a striker is our main priority but I will not panic and get the wrong person in just for the sake of it,” said Peters.