Chris Doig: Tough pre-season is perfect preparation for Shrewsbury Town
Chris Doig believes Shrewsbury’s gruelling pre-season friendly schedule will prove an ideal way for the squad to kick-start next season.
Salop’s assistant manager commented after Town completed their line-up of English-based fixtures by adding National League North outfit Brackley Town to their schedule.
They join fellow non-league side and county rivals AFC Telford. While Shrewsbury also tackle a daunting looking list of four Championship sides in Aston Villa, Wolves, Burton Albion and Cardiff City.
They are also scheduled to face an unnamed Portuguese side in a behind-closed-doors friendly at a warm-weather training camp taking place early next month.
Scottish coach Doig, who has joined Town chief Paul Hurst on a UK-based coaching course this week before the players re-group for training on Friday, believes the testing list will be beneficial for the group.
“I prefer to play Championship or higher teams in pre-season – I’d rather play teams above me,” the former Northampton defender said.
“I used to hate pre-season games away at whoever way down. I never enjoyed it.
“I’d rather play against good teams and players and test myself.
“I’m sure the lads will relish that. It’ll be difficult and we’ll be up against it but I think we’ll learn a lot more from those games than playing teams below us.”
While eager to secure results in pre-season, Doig says it will be performances Salop’s players are judged on.
“Results aren’t important in pre-season,” the coach added.
“They probably will be when it comes to the day!
“We don’t want to get hammered, that’s obvious. But it’s more about performance, lads getting to know each other, gelling together and getting combinations, fitness also obviously.
“It’s all geared towards the first game of the season and making sure the lads are ready for what will be a grueling 10 months or so.”
