Bernard McNally: Stefan Payne has staked his claim for Shrewsbury Town

Of course, the big striker enjoyed a loan spell at the Meadow last season and since arriving on a permanent basis from Barnsley has netted in the 3-2 win against Rochdale, the 1-1 draw at Oxford United and the 3-2 triumph at Coventry City in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday, writes Bernard McNally.

With how the game is these days, it is vital to have two or three players gunning for the same position.

It was one substitute when I first started and now you have seven, and can bring three of them on – it is very much a squad game.

Players can be brought off the bench, like Stefan was in those two league games, and have a big impact.

He has certainly staked his claim with his goals and it is keeping the other strikers – Carlton Morris, Lenell John-Lewis and Niall Ennis – on their toes.

It was great to see Joe Riley net the winner at Coventry after a tough four months out injured.

I was really pleased for him as he seems a nice chap and a very good professional.

Town were 2-0 up at the Ricoh Arena and were pegged back to 2-2 before Joe’s winner, and maybe they took their foot off the gas a bit and thought they were comfortable. Paul Hurst will sort that out, though. And the Checkatrade Trophy, its a competition that has attracted criticism but Paul wants to keep the ball rolling.

People can say ‘it is a Mickey Mouse cup’, but there is nothing like winning games, and it gives you a chance to continue the momentum.

The Shrewsbury fans will be very happy with how things have gone so far – you cannot knock three wins and a draw in the league.

It is all about the old adage now, though – it is not a sprint, it is a marathon and there are miles and miles ahead. In terms of the here and now, they are looking very confident.

They seem in a great frame of mind and there is a lot of competition for places as well.

The team seems to have gelled so quickly, and you have to take your hat off to Paul Hurst as he is doing a tremendous job.

The thing I like about him is that he is so level-headed and keeps his feet on the ground.

When I was in football, I used to say to the players ‘you have got 24 hours to enjoy the win’.

Then on the Sunday night, I wanted them to be thinking about the next game – and I reckon Paul is the same.

On Saturday, Town head to Gillingham – and they are 21st in the table.

It will be tough. They cannot be thinking they will be alright because the Gills are struggling.

If they do think that way, they will probably come unstuck.