Goalkeeper Insists Town Have Nothing To Fear
“Last year was very frustrating but Jayson has been playing so well. This year, he has had a few problems so I’ve had a couple of chances and I feel I’ve taken them,” he said.“It’s tough when you haven’t played for a long time to come back and be match-ready but after a few games I feel like I have stepped in well.
“If I’m not in the team, I only think about how to get back in. The only way is by working hard to my maximum ability and that’s starting to show through now.
“I’m happy to be playing at the minute and as long as I’m playing well then I’m sure the manager will keep his faith in me.”
And the former Blackpool shot-stopper is evidently delighted to be back in Micky Mellon’s starting eleven as the season gradually reaches its climax.
Nonetheless, injuries to the latter have opened up several opportunities for Halstead over the course of the current campaign, the latest of which has seen him play in Town’s last four matches.
Since joining the club in the summer of 2014, Halstead’s chances have been relatively limited due to the consistency of Jayson Leutwiler.
“They’re on a good run but so are we - we have nothing to fear,” said Halstead.
“They’re a very good side- there’s no denying that. They’ve got a big budget, probably bigger than most teams, and they play nice football.
“We’ve watched videos- we know how they’re going to play and how we’re going to try to counteract it. If we play to our full potential, then I can’t see us not getting anything from the game.”
And Halstead believes the homework Shrewsbury have completed on Gary Caldwell’s side will give Town a strong chance of gaining a positive result.
Town take on the second-placed Latics, who are unbeaten in their last 18 matches, in Sky Bet League 1 at Greenhous Meadow at the weekend (3pm kick-off).
Goalkeeper Mark Halstead insists Shrewsbury Town have nothing to fear against high-flying Wigan Athletic on Saturday.