Symes stakes claim for call

Free-scoring forward Michael Symes believes he is ready to produce his best ever form in a Shrewsbury Town shirt - after hailing the exciting brand of football introduced by manager Paul Simpson.

Symes made it six strikes in two reserve games courtesy of a four-goal salvo in last night's 6-2 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at the Prostar Stadium.

It remains to be seen whether that will be enough to fire him into contention to replace the injured Richard Walker on first-team duty at Notts County on Saturday.

But Symes is happy to hit a profitable run in front of goal - and is eyeing a return to the form which made him a fans' favourite when he first arrived at the club at the start of the 2006-7 season.

"I would obviously have preferred it to have been for the first team but I've been scoring a few goals in the games I've played recently so I'm happy," said Symes."I'm itching to get my chance in the first team and to play alongside the new lads that have come in, so all I can do is keep trying to score goals.

"I think the football we are playing now suits my game much more than last year.

"Then we used to try and get throws and corners and look for the scraps, but the new manager encourages us to get the ball down and pass it.

"You can see that all the way through the club, even with the reserve team performances, and it suits me much better.

"Hopefully I can get back to the way I was playing when I first came to the club - and maybe even better."

Symes, who spent a spell on loan at Macclesfield last season, revealed some extra work on finishing has re-established his confidence in front of goal.

"I was really disappointed last season because I didn't score enough goals," added the 23-year-old.

"I worked a lot on my finishing over the summer when we were off and I'd just go out with my mates and stick them in goal just to practice my finishing.

"I've carried on working a lot on it after training since we have been back - so hopefully I can keep taking the chances."