Defiant David Wheeler speaks for the first time since signing for Shrewsbury Town
New recruit David Wheeler is 'confident' Shrewsbury Town can achieve League One survival this season after signing a short-term deal in Shropshire.
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The 34-year-old, who mutually agreed to terminate his contract with Wycombe Wanderers at the start of this month, has signed until the end of the season and is reunited with Gareth Ainsworth after the duo worked together at Adams Park.
Wheeler plays on the wing but is versatile and can also play in central midfield. He is an experienced campaigner, and he made more than 200 appearances for the Chairboys.
Speaking in his first interview as a Town player, he gave his take on the possibility of third-tier survival this campaign.
He said: "I've been following the team closely. There was quite a bit of a gap (in the table) not that long ago, but we are in a position now where there is every chance we can stay up.
"I want to be a part of that, and I'm very confident we can do it. Football is football - you never know sometimes."
Town and Ainsworth have been on the hunt for new additions in the free agent market after they missed out on a late deadline day deal.
Ainsworth had previously said he had hit a 'brick wall' when it came to strengthening his squad from the pool of players without a club.
And Wheeler explained what the hold-up was after Town's initial approach.
"I think if it was just me and my wife, I would have been here a lot sooner," he said. "But I've got two young kids, and we had to make sure the move was right for them.
"It was about making sure my wife had the support she needed and that there wasn't going to be too big an impact on the kids.
"We felt that - with the time left - it was the right thing to do."
Shrewsbury head into an important League One clash with Stevenage this weekend, and Wheeler has given Town fans an insight into what they can expect from him as a player.
"I have always been a right-winger," he continued. "Getting into the box and getting headers.
"I am a hard-working player, and I think those attributes help in multiple different positions, which is probably why I have played up front, centre of midfield and at wing-back.
"I am quite happy to bring that skillset to different positions."
