GRAHAM TURNER remains convinced his promoted Shrewsbury Town are on course to enjoy a successful season in League One as they seek a killer touch in front of goal.
The Greenhous Meadow manager, who revealed it’s unlikely he will have a new loan signing in place ahead of Saturday’s trip to Notts County, stressed he was confident his players will start to accept a greater proportion of the chances being created.
Town have been the better side against both high flying duo Tranmere and Stevenage in their last two games but had to settle for 1-1 draws after a string of opportunities went begging.
Turner said he remains in the hunt for striking reinforcements but threw his support behind his current front two of Terry Gornell and Marvin Morgan.
He also called on Town’s other players to start weighing in with a few goals to ensure their bright performances are justly rewarded.
“Strikers thrive on goals,” said Turner. “At the start of the season you want to get your first goal in the bag and I think that Terry desperately needs a little tap in.
“He’s worked very hard for the side and him and Marvin are a decent partnership up front.
“You just expect the goals to go in sooner or later.
“Goals should also be spread through the side as well. I think we should be getting more from corners as there’s been some great delivery.
“Paul Parry could easily have had a hat-trick at Stevenage while the lads in midfield, whoever’s in there, Matt Richards and Luke Summerfield, Aaron Wildig or Asa Hall, they’ve got to be contributing goals. They’re capable of doing it as we see it every day in training.”
Turner has made no secret of the fact he would like to increase his striking options ahead of the emergency loan window opening tomorrow.
He said: “If one materialises for us for this weekend, I’ll be quite happy, but if it doesn’t I’m not totally unhappy with the way it’s looking at the moment.
“What we’ve got is a great work ethic in the team, a good spirit to the whole thing and I think we’re playing quite well. It just needs that final touch in the penalty area.
“I still think we’ve got players capable of doing that but it would be nice to augment those with another signing.
“I don’t think we’re going to get one in for this weekend but there’s plenty of phone calls still going on, plenty of matches being watched, and our new chief scout came over earlier this week so we went through everything with him.”
Turner has been pleased with Town’s performance level with opposition managers repeatedly complimenting his team for their impressive displays.
And it’s left the experienced boss in no doubts that Shrewsbury can flourish in League One in their first season at this level for 15 years.
“The comments are nothing more than a recognition that we’re not a bad team and I believe we can look forward to quite a successful season,” he said.
“When you’ve got other managers paying compliments, I think the players have deserved it.
“I’m optimistic about the season as a whole.”
Next for Town this weekend is a trip to a Notts County side riding high under Keith Curle after winning three of their first four league games.
Veteran striker Lee Hughes remains an obvious dangerman while Turner said highly rated midfielder Alan Judge is the man who makes the Magpies tick.
“Again, it’s respect for the opposition but not fearing them,” added Turner, whose main selection dilemma is whether to stick with Reuben Hazell or go for fit-again Michael Hector at the heart of his back four.
“We’ve shown against sides that are currently at the top of the table that we can hold our own and I’ve no doubts we can do that at Notts County as well.”