Strike joins Cobblers on loan
James Collins has moved to Northampton Town on loan until the end of the season.The Cobblers currently is in second place in the Sky Bet League 2 and have been in good form over the season.
The clubs had been in contact and after discussions with Collins on Monday the decision was made for him to go out on loan.
It's a move that Town manager Micky Mellon thinks is the right one as he looks to shake up his squad;”We all know that things have to be shaken up a bit and in order to do that we have to try and generate some funds within the group.
“I want to change things around a wee bit up front and I spoke to James about the opportunity to go to Northampton and we allowed him permission to speak to them.
“He did that and we spoke after and we all decided that it is time for a change and he is going to go to Northampton.
“It frees up some funds to try and get some new faces in and strengthen the squad.”
Last season saw Collo finish the season as top scorer in the side that won promotion to League 1 and he's found the net seven times so far this term. Micky Mellon wants his forwards to score more goals and with the transfer window open wants to change things around;”If we are all honest we haven't scored enough goals from the strikers this season,
“There is an argument that is affected by service but the bottom line is that we need to find a way of scoring more goals, especially the front men.
“The opportunity has come in January for us to change things around and we have a few plates spinning and a few options that we believe will make us a different type of threat for the coming games.”
With the transfer window open the Town manager has been quick to act to strengthen his squad as the club look to move up the League 1 table. It's a time when changes need to be made with the gaffer's focus firmly fixed on winning games;”It's been a busy day but also one where emotionally it can be difficult to see players leave who you have worked with for a long time.
“James has done terrific for us but as the manager I truly belie it is time to have a shakeup of the whole group.
“As the manager I know I have to do that as I have to win games of football and that is all I focus on now.
“It's not something I would hide from and I know I need to win games and I will bring in the players to give us the best chance, with the ones already in the group, to move Shrewsbury towards the objective of staying in this division.”