Bernard McNally: Shaun Whalley can be central to upturn in form
Shrewsbury boss John Askey put winger Shaun Whalley in the No.10 role at Walsall on Tuesday – and I very much liked what I saw.
Salop went to a 4-2-3-1 formation for the 0-0 draw at the Banks’s Stadium.
Whalley had the free role behind the striker and I thought he and Anthony Grant were the contenders for man of the match.
You could tell he was enjoying that freedom, finding pockets of space and causing problems.
I think that it was a good idea and is certainly an option for Askey going forward.
Whalley has got the attributes to play there as he is a livewire and always gives his all for the cause.
He runs himself into the ground and has the ability to cut teams apart – he should be able to provide that steel out of possession and quality when on the ball.
Whether it is Whalley or Rangers loanee Greg Docherty, I would like to see Askey continue with the formation as you had Grant and Oliver Norburn doing the more defensive work in the middle of the park, getting stuck in.
The defence looked more solid as well and keeping a clean sheet will only do them good.
Lee Angol, though, does not look like a wideman to me.
Signed as a striker, he played on the left-hand side of midfield but it did not seem to suit him, although he is pretty quick.
Askey eventually switched things up, moving Whalley back out wide. And although it is easier for me to say as I’m not the manager, I think Angol should be leading the line – winning a few headers and holding the ball up.
It would be nice to see him up top with either Whalley or Docherty in behind.
It was a really exciting game at the Banks’s, a pulsating second half despite there being no goals.
There were goalmouth incidents at both ends. Grant came up with a goal-line clearance, as did Luke Waterfall so it was a good, hard-fought point for Salop.
Walsall probably would have been disappointed not to clinch the three points as they had the better of the opportunities, but I think Town came out and showed quite a bit of character. It was a dogged performance.
To see it out the way they did in the last 10 minutes, it showed me that the team spirit is improving.
There were good signs. I went away from the game feeling very optimistic.
I don’t think John is far away from getting a few wins.
Hopefully the first of a run of victories comes as they host Accrington Stanley this weekend.
It will be a very tough ask though as surprise package Stanley go into the clash on a 10-game unbeaten run.
