Shrewsbury Town comment: Pair can bring ex-factor
It has been an eventful season so far for Shrewsbury Town.
John Askey, having been appointed in the summer, was sacked in November.
Danny Coyne and Eric Ramsay then did a fine job in temporary charge before Sam Ricketts took the reins at the start of this month.
Ricketts, with the impending window, has the chance to start moulding his Town vision. So let’s take a look at where he should strengthen.
Where do Town need to strengthen and why?
A goal threat from midfield should be high on Ricketts’ shopping list.
Salop have Greg Docherty, on loan from Rangers, who has weighed in with several goals and assists.
But, while Steven Gerrard has hinted Doherty will stay at the Meadow for the rest of the season, he could change his mind and take him back to Ibrox, as he seems good enough to make an impact in the Scottish top flight.
So, in order to avoid leaving themselves short of creativity in the middle of the park, one more face should be brought in.
In this new 4-4-2 diamond system, which has been deployed due to winger Shaun Whalley being injured, the onus is on the midfielders to chip in wherever possible.
Charlie Colkett, who has not had much of a chance since joining on loan from Chelsea, could provide that spark, but if there is a chance to sign a forward-thinking midfielder, Ricketts should take it.
And there is scope to sign a more accomplished goalkeeper.
Joel Coleman has struggled since arriving on loan from Huddersfield and is now the No.2, behind Steve Arnold, who was playing for non-league Barrow last term.
Give an example of a player you’d like to see Shrews bring in this January, and why you’ve picked them...
Speculation has been building around the return of Dave Edwards – and that would be a perfect fit.
If you are looking for a midfielder with an eye for goal, to take some pressure off the strikers, there are few better out there than the 32-year-old.
Of course, financing a deal could prove difficult and his best years are probably behind him. But Edwards got to the semi-finals of the Euros with Wales two years ago.
If it means trimming the squad to facilitate a move, Ricketts should take that option and be reunited with his former Wolves and Wales team-mate.
And in terms of a shot-stopper, Town could do a lot worse than bringing in Jayson Leutwiler for a second spell with the club.
The 29-year-old Canadian truly showed his quality in a three-year spell with Salop, before moving to Blackburn where he has only served as the back-up keeper.
Could there be any departures from Town this month?
There could be, and probably should be. Bryn Morris, at Wycombe, Luke Hendrie, at Grimsby, Zak Jules, at Barnet, and Sam Jones, at Cheltenham, are out on loan.
It is difficult to see any of them playing in blue and amber again, so moving them on permanently would make sense.
The same applies to Arthur Gnahoua, who is out at Fylde.
Abo Eisa and Kieran Kennedy have found game time hard to come by for Town too, and it would not be a shock to see them depart.
How much money will Town spend in January?
Although it, most likely, will not be bucketloads, you would like to think Ricketts will have some sort of budget to work with next month.
But I think Salop will be keen to trim the wage bill, to make any incomings a little easier on the wallet.
Ricketts seems to have a good base and wholesale changes are not needed. It is just a case of fine-tuning things.
