Boss Paul Simpson has highlighted the bright pre-season form of captain Ben Davies ahead of Saturday’s final pre-season friendly at home to Premier League new boys Stoke City.
The skilful midfielder admitted he was always playing catch up in the fitness stakes last season after injury ruled out for nearly the first half of the campaign.
But Davies has been back to his best in pre-season, scoring a fine goal in last week’s victory over Championship side Blackpool, and his impressive form has been a big plus for Simpson, who hopes to tie up two more signings in time for the Stoke game.
“I always felt that Ben would benefit from having a pre-season behind him,” said Simpson. “He’s a player I’ve always liked. He’s had a break and he’s come back fit and raring to go. He’s starting to show what a good footballer he is again.
“He’s got a lot of ability, great quality at set pieces, good quality at picking the right pass, so he’s got a lot of good things.
“What we’ve got to do is find the right system to fit somebody like Ben Davies on so we get the best out of him. He can play a free role behind the strikers and if we went one up front he could play as a second striker off the target man. He can play wide or central too. I have an idea where I want him to play so we’ll see where it develops.”
Simpson confirmed that Davies, made captain by former boss Gary Peters midway through last season, would retain the armband.
“He’s captain at this moment in time and I’ve been pleased with him so far,” he said. “I think we’ve got players who are captain type characters and don’t need an armband to show that.
“I think they can respond in the right way, and it’s given Ben a bit of a lift to be the captain. He does a fantastic job off the pitch and we’ve just got to keep him right.”
Simpson revealed he was hopeful of adding to his 24 man squad as he closes in on two more signings, one a permanent deal and the other a loan switch.
“There’s a possibility I might get something done by the weekend,” he said. Simpson said it was “unfortunate” that tonight’s scheduled Shropshire Senior Cup final had been postponed owing to the delayed semi-final between AFC Telford United and Bridgnorth, which was abandoned on Monday, but he’s now looking forward to Saturday’s visit of Stoke.
“It’s a fantastic game to have and it will be a real tough test for us as Stoke are a big, physical side,” said Simpson. “We know it’s going to be difficult but that’s what we want. We’ve had tough tests with Blackpool and West Brom.”
Simpson adds that “nothing is set in stone” as regards his selection plans for the League Two opener against Macclesfield on August 9 with places up for grabs.
“It’s up to the players to get something out of the Stoke game and show me they deserve to start,” he said.
•See page 92 Shrewsbury Chronicle, August 1 for more Town news.