Positive skipper Ben Davies insists Shrewsbury Town’s fate remains firmly in their own hands as they continue to hover precariously just above the League Two relegation zone.
Davies, preparing for two tough away games at play-off chasing Chesterfield on Saturday and Morecambe on Tuesday night, has stressed the importance of Town clinching survival as quickly as possible.
He readily admits the players have let the club’s fans down this season but Davies remains confident Town have what it takes to get out of trouble.“We’re not safe, we’re in a battle, but it’s in our hands,” said the midfielder. “A couple of wins, which we’re more than capable of, will get us out of it.
“All season we’ve let the fans down, we know that. There’s no-one more disappointed than us. We know the fans are gutted, but we’re the people who can put it right and we’ve got to do that.” Davies added, as captain, he feels extra responsibility to inspire a revival after a dispiriting run for Town of just one win from their last 18 games.
“You have to take more responsibility and it’s a big honour to be captain of the club,” he said. “You feel the defeats really badly and put a lot more blame on yourself, but that’s just part and parcel of doing it.”
Davies revealed the players were putting on a united front in a bid to get back on track and earn new manager Paul Simpson his first victory as Town boss.
“The only way we can put it right is by working hard, sticking together and giving it everything we’ve got,” stressed the former Chester man. “Everyone’s desperate just to get that win and I think a win will lift everyone.
“We thought we were going to get it against Bury or Notts County, but it wasn’t to be. Now we’ve got to go to Chesterfield and try and get a win there.”
Davies added the players had quickly been impressed with the ideas of new boss Simpson, a man he describes as completely different to former manager Gary Peters, and they were desperate to reward him with some good results.
“The manager’s very good,” he said. “Training’s been brilliant and the organisation leading into games has been very good.
“We’re just disappointed with the results we’ve been getting but we know that will change with the hard work we’re putting in.
“The new manager’s a lot different to Gary Peters, it’s sort of chalk and cheese really.
“The old gaffer didn’t really come out that often when we trained but the new gaffer’s very hands on and takes all the training.
“It’s a lot better and a lot sharper.”
Davies also had encouraging words for latest recruit, young winger Mike Barnes, snapped up on loan from Manchester United.
Barnes, who made his debut in last weekend’s defeat at home to Bury, is set to make a quick return to Chesterfield on Saturday as he played three games during a loan spell with the Spireites in January.
“He looks sharp on the ball and he’ll give us an outlet if we can get the ball to him,” said Davies.
“He did well on his debut and Graeme Lee has also settled in well at the back since coming in on loan.”
By Stuart Dunn.
See page 119 of this week’s Shrewsbury Chronicle for the thoughts of boss Paul Simpson.