Shrewsbury Town fan Dave Edwards backing promotion bid

The Wolves midfielder and Shrewsbury born-and-bred Town fan and ex-player believes new boss Micky Mellon has assembled a strong squad to win promotion at the first attempt.

Edwards also backed the policy of more permanent signings to see an end to the stream of loan players used last season.

"You really hope they can start the season well and the fans are giving Micky Mellon a real chance," said the 28-year-old, who made 132 appearances for Town from 2003-07.

"I think they've been impressed with the business he has done so far and the chairman has backed him too.

"They're a big club for that league – they're a League One team at worst – so you'd like to think they can get back up at the first time of asking.

"The fans I've spoken to are really optimistic. There have been plenty of signings who the fans have been impressed with, such as Liam Lawrence."

Edwards believes Shrewsbury's squad needed a makeover after relegation.

"I think it needed a big change around after what happened last year," he said.

"It was similar to Wolves in a way where we needed to go down to start again."

And he's relieved to see so many permanent signings to help build relationships between players and fans after 20 loans were used last season.

"I really think that makes a big difference. I used to watch Shrewsbury as a kid and you want someone's name on the back of your shirt," he said.

"If you don't know who the striker is from one week to the next, it's difficult.

"I think the fans have to build relationships with players as well as watching those players on the pitch.

"Hopefully they won't be doing too much business in the loan market like they have in the last couple of years and they can really be more stable."