Manager happy with performance against Championship side
Micky Mellon was pleased with his side's display during Saturday's friendly at home to Watford.
Town were trailing at the Greenhous Meadow by two goals but substitute Scott Vernon struck twice with two well taken finishes to earn Shrews a draw.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game and that they were an exceptionally good football side,” said the Town manager.
“We knew their strengths and qualities in the final third where they're slick but I have to be fair to our boys and say they gave a really good account of themselves.
"We tried something a bit different today with three front men, and three midfield players which gives us another string to our bow during the season - so that if we want to try something we know the lads are capable of pulling it off, so fair play to the players.
"Especially in the first half I felt the passing and movement was terrific and we got some great balls across goal, and maybe on another day we might have taken a couple of them. We pressed their centre halves exceptionally at times and attacked really well.
"So lots and lots to be pleased about but we know there are areas we want to get better at. But if that wasn't the case there'd be no need for me to to be standing here 'cos they'd manage themselves.
"It was another good run out for us and another great test,” added Mellon.
Vernon struck with virtually the last kick of the match to level and Micky said that his side had grown as a group and did not want to get beaten.
“I thought the quality of our goals were exceptional to be fair," said Micky.
"Scott (Vernon) is a top player and we brought him here because we believe he has quality. There were a lot of players who put in good performances today and even though we made a number of changes throughout the game, it was great to get a couple of youth team players on and they never looked out of place.
"We've got some very good footballers and it's exciting times for the football club.”
One such youth player was keeper Callum Burton who had another 45-minute run out following his appearance against West Brom on Tuesday.
“The greatest compliment I can pay the boy (Burton) is by saying I'm not surprised at the way he plays," said Micky.
"I expected him to be good because I knew he was a good goalkeeper. We're a very very young side and all the kids that have come in have done well. We've a good sprinkling of experience as well which will stand us in good stead for the season.
"I'm really happy with the mix that we've got in and if we can play different systems with different personnel, we're covered across most areas of the pitch and I'd say we're pretty much good to go now.”
Micky confirmed that trialists Akwasi Aante and Craig Curran haven't been offered deals at the club and both have moved on.
But he did confirm that Andy Mangan – a name linked strongly with a move to the Meadow – is likely to join any time soon.
He said: “I think we're pretty much where we want to be with maybe just one more to come in. That deal has been pretty much agreed; it's just a matter of getting the communication going between the two football clubs.
"There's no secret that Andy is the lad we're trying to bring in. I know him very well and I know what he'll bring to the group. He can play anywhere across the front and has got good instincts to get you a few goals.
"He'll be a great addition to what we're already doing although I have to be respectful and say the deal hasn't been 100% concluded yet. It's more a question of when rather than if and I was expecting him yesterday to be honest. But full credit to the boys today – I want to talk about them. Andy will play his part when he comes in.”
After three games within a hectic seven-day period, Town have won one, drawn one and lost one and the manager was asked to assess the sides performances to date.
“We want to get results but ultimately at the moment we've been working on the process of making the players better,” he said.
“We believe that if you keep working on trying to make them better and getting them integrated into groups, and making them better in different units, we'll get the results. It's been a bonus that we've had a few results on top of the process as I say.
"But we have some fine players here and coming up against a very good Championship side in Watford, we've acquitted ourselves really well today.”