By Stuart Dunn
Influential Ben Davies insists a play-off spot is still up for grabs for Shrewsbury Town – and revealed how much he wants to extend his stay at the club by signing a new deal at the Prostar.
Davies has been encouraged by many of Town’s recent displays but disappointed with the points return, aware that with just three games to go they are running out of time to cement a top seven place. “The results are poor but the performances are good,” said the midfielder. “But it’s points we need and we’ve got to do everything we can to win these last three games.
“With Gillingham winning on Monday, I think they’re now out of reach so we’re one of three or four clubs who want that seventh position. It’s up for grabs but we need to start winning games.”
Town’s search for a long overdue away win takes them to a new venue on Saturday as they travel to Sheffield’s Don Valley Stadium to face a Rotherham United side who would be in an automatic promotion spot had they not been deducted 17 points for their financial problems.
“Rotherham are a good team and with what they’ve been through they’ve done superbly to get where they are,” said Davies. “It’s a challenge for us to go there and get three points but if we do that then the confidence will be flowing.
“I’ve not been there before and it’s an athletics stadium so the atmosphere will be a bit different. We need to go there and play as well as we did against Rochdale on Monday and if we do that we should win the game.”
While he acknowledges Town have work to do to reach the play-offs, Davies believes that, should they achieve their aim, there is enough talent at the Prostar to yet make this a memorable season.
“If we do get there then I think we’ve got an experienced enough squad to go all the way,” said Davies, who had the heartache of missing the Wembley play-off final two years ago after being injured in the semi-final win at MK Dons.
“It’s going to be a tense last few weeks but who knows what will happen.”
Davies is one of a host of Town players whose present deals expire at the end of the season, but he confirmed he wants to extend his three-year stay at the club.
“Nothing’s been said about it as the club decided at Christmas that nothing would be decided until the end of the season,” he said.
“Your future’s uncertain but I’ve got three games now and hopefully another three to play out of my skin and hopefully earn a contract here. I’ve always said I want to stay at the club, I’ve not hidden that fact. It’s up to the club, I suppose, the ball’s in their court.”
Meanwhile, boss Paul Simpson has urged his players not to let their play-off chance slip away. “We’ve still got an opportunity,” he said. “The table doesn’t lie after this many games, it’s how we are.
“I believe the players we’ve got are better than their league position but if you don’t do the defending right and finish things off right, then you are where you are and that’s where you deserve to be.”
See page 63 of the Shrewsbury Chronicle for more Town news including an interview with frustrated striker Richard Walker.
