Determined Dave Hibbert has vowed to put pressure on experienced front men Grant Holt and Richard Walker as he sets his sights on becoming a regular in Shrewsbury Town’s new-look side.
Hibbert, a popular figure with Prostar Stadium fans, has had to settle for a place on the bench in Town’s two opening matches of the season, although he enhanced his claims by coming on to score the final goal in last weekend’s 4-0 demolition of Macclesfield.
The former Preston striker now hopes to give boss Paul Simpson plenty of food for thought when it comes to picking his team for Saturday’s trip to faraway Exeter City.
“I want to play every minute I can but I’ve just got to wait for my chance and hopefully make sure I take it when it comes,” said Hibbert. “I’m feeling probably the fittest I’ve felt for a good couple of years.”
Hibbert, Town’s 12-goal top scorer last season, respects the attributes of the two men currently ahead of him in the striking pecking order, but he’s hungry to force his way into the starting XI.
“The manager’s said all along that no-one’s guaranteed a place,” he said.
“We’ve all got to fight for our place and no-one’s got a divine right to start a game. When you get the opportunity you’ve got to score and fortunately for me I did on Saturday.
“With three of us fighting for the two spots there’s always going to be someone left out and at the moment it’s me.
“But I’m working hard and giving 110 per cent every time I get on the pitch, as I always do.
“Holty and Walks are both experienced strikers. Walks is 30 and Holty’s 28 and they’ve been around the leagues and know what it’s all about, so I’m sure I can pick up some good things off them.”
Hibbert has been encouraged by how Town have opened the season, but he’s refusing to get carried away ahead of Saturday’s tricky clash at promoted Exeter, back in the League after being relegated along with Shrewsbury five years ago.
“It’s a brand new start for us and we haven’t got to get carried away,” he said.
“We had a good start last season and look what happened so we’ve got to keep our feet on the ground and look to win every game we go into and stay up at the top of the league.
“It’s going to be a big game at Exeter and we’ve got to make sure we prepare properly and go down there with a lot of confidence from our last result in the league.”
Town will be forced to make at least one change from the team who were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Carlisle in midweek, with Kelvin Langmead hoping to get the nod to replace the injured Graham Coughlan at the heart of the back four.
“Graham’s done well since he’s come in and looked very solid so he’ll be a big miss,” added Hibbert.
“But Kelv’s in the same position as me, and he’s a great player so it’s one in, one out.”
• See page 85 of Shrewsbury Chronicle for Town spotlight.