Shrewsbury Town's Josh Laurent seeking pointers in bid to improve

Summer recruit Laurent, 23, has been playing at the top of a midfield diamond as of late for Salop.

And he has taken on advice from his fellow midfielders – Anthony Grant, Greg Docherty and Ollie Norburn being a few – and all the other blue and amber players willing to give him pointers, in a bid to add more goals and assists to his game.

“You learn from everyone. I learn from Granty. He tells me things in games, certain things to learn which I take on,” said Laurent, who has scored once in 20 Town appearances.

“Greg drives past people, Ollie’s intensity when he plays, closing people down and playing past people. He’s always got a positive attitude on the ball.

“You learn from a lot of people. Doug Loft has a lot of experience and Charlie (Colkett), his vision and left foot are really good.

“You learn from everyone, not just the midfield, even Aaron (Amadi-Holloway), getting shots off in training, it works.

“It’s a good bunch of lads, no-one thinks they’re above anyone, everyone’s helping each other out.”

Athletic 6ft 2in Laurent began playing further forward consistently under Danny Coyne and Eric Ramsay – before Sam Ricketts became boss, and Coyne and Ramsey first team coaches.

The former Hartlepool, Wigan and Bury man had played there before – but not for a consistent run of games.

“I’ve played there once or twice but not consecutively. Never as consistently as this,” said Laurent.

“It is something I am learning but I am enjoying it.

“What Coyney and Eric said they wanted more of is very clear and it’s when we break, with two strikers going, you have to break with them, be up there with them.

“I had a chance (against Burton) through breaking from Aaron, you will get chances, not just me, even if it’s a cut-back for someone else, it opens up spaces.

“You do have to break forward and I do think it suits me because I feel I’m a good runner.”

Laurent is now keen to take a few more risks, to score and create goals, under attack-minded chief Ricketts.

“As being the man playing at the top of the diamond, I have to be the man to hurt (the opposition),” he added.

“I’ll be ineffective if I get it and just pass back to Granty, I have to turn and run at the back four or shoot.

“I always have to be asking the defence questions otherwise I’m not going to be doing anything. Little things like that make it clear to you.

“Also giving you the freedom to express yourself, when you hear that from your manager you’re not afraid to make mistakes because that’s what he wants.”