Football Season Guide

Shrewsbury are coming from a rather difficult season which saw them play some decent football, but manage to avoid the drop only marginally. Micky Mellon, who saw his side advance further in the FA Cup than any other League One side, has conducted a true summer clear-out during the summer, letting go of a number of players that were inconsistent either with their form or with their fitness. The Shrews have also made a number of very promising signings, with literally all of the players that have joined the club being regular starters for other League One clubs last season. The Shrews were widely seen as one of the league's underperformers last season in the sense that they played some rather good football on the majority of occasions, but were too often left frustrated by their own poor finishing. Sullay Kaikai, whose stellar form in the two loan stays he had for the club was probably the difference between relegation and survival for the Shrews, is no longer with the club, and will be sorely missed. AJ Leitch-Smith, despite not being exactly the same type of player, will be hoping to fill in his boots after being Port Vale's top scorer last season. Another thing to note is that the Shrews will have new-look defence this time around, as they were unable to keep hold of Nathaniel Knight Percival, while Jermaine Grandison and Zak Whitbread were allowed to leave, arguably due to their fitness problems. However, their squad still seems to be a touch better than it was last season and, providing that they have a bit more luck with injuries this time around, will have every reason to feel that they have what it takes to stay up rather comfortably.