Shrewsbury Town tipped for top - whoever's boss

Shrewsbury Town are amongst the early favourites for next season's League Two title - despite continued uncertainty over their new manager.

Leading bookmakers bet365 have Town among the market-leaders at 12-1 for the 2010-11 title and 7-2 for promotion.

And the vote of confidence from the odds-makers comes with a decision on who will win the race to succeed Paul Simpson as Town boss still to be made.

"League Two is really tough to price," said bet365 spokesman Steve Freeth today.

"I don't know about a turf accountant, you need to be a qualified accountant these days with some clubs in administration and problems like that.

"Despite a mid-table finish last season, Shrewsbury were third favourites at the start so we won't be offering too big a price for promotion.

"Paul Simpson has gone but the new man, whoever it is, may be given the chance to wheel and deal.

"A couple of signings in key areas could make them very competitive in what looks a wide open division."

Freeth believes there are no end of early contenders for glory next season, including Gillingham, Bradford, Chesterfield, Northampton and Rotherham should the last named lose Sunday's play-off final to Dagenham.

Season-ticket sales at Shrewsbury have gone through the 2,000 barrier with the club's special early bird offer still in place.

Around 3,000 were sold last season, although that figure also included corporate deals.

Meanwhile, Steve Cotteril, who has been linked to the vacant Shrewsbury job, today left Notts County.

Cotterill guided the Magpies to the League Two title but hadn't committed his future by signing a new contract at Meadow Lane.

The former Stoke, Burnley and Cheltenham boss has been linked with a host of vacancies since the end of the season, most recently relegated Portsmouth.

Pompey administrator Andrew Andronikou said: "He is one of eight or nine managers that have been recommended to us.

"He is the sort of motivator that our players need to take them forward."

Strong rumours persist over a potential return to Town for Graham Turner if the sale of his shares can be completed at Hereford, while Jim Gannon, Alan Knill, Mark Venue and Mike Jackson have been linked.

By James Garrison