Sam Ricketts talks to Shrewsweb ahead of Saturday's fixture against Coventry City.
Shrewsbury have had a full week of training to prepare for Saturday's game with having no mid-week fixture. "It's been good to get everyone back in and get a full week of training. Double-edged, to help recovery and focus and what we want to work on as a team. A couple of little niggles from the last game but it's nice to have a free week."
"It's the same with every time you get chance to train, with a free week certainly more than anything else is what's the next step to try and work on as a team and try to take that next step forward, so it's always what we're trying to do when we have that free week to train." Sam talks about moving forward and working hard during a free week.
Town's Christmas fixture list is notoriously busy, however with having a free week of training should benefit the squad. "We've got that this week and next week again, before we go into the busy time of year, so you're trying to use everyone to try to get fully fit and fully healthy as you can at the same time as you're trying to work on the team because you can never stand still, you're always trying to improve and take the next step forward."
Shrewsbury head into Saturday's game with another clean sheet on the board and an extra point. "It was another really good performance and a good point as we continue on our quest this season. Our aim is just to improve on last year, and it's obvious to see that we are doing that while we're also trying to improve and get better again."
Coventry are flying high at the minute, sitting just inside the play-offs in sixth position. "They are a good team who played really well against Ipswich in the week. They are an exciting team. We have to try and raise ourselves again, there are a number of teams who are pushing for promotion, and we have proven ourselves against a number of teams so far this season."
A good result against Coventry should give Town more than enough confidence to take anyone on in this league. "We've had some really good results, and we know what we can do is consistently trying to get them to improve, but it would keep us ticking over, keep those points coming in on such a tight league.
Any points you can pick up along the way in a tight division can make a real difference come to the end of the season. I think the top two are a bit higher, but the rest are pretty tight. We're in a spell where we are playing against all the top teams in the division, and we're doing well to pick up results where we can." Sam said.
Town are back at home on Saturday in front of their home supporters. "They're excellent, pushing the team, encouraging them, getting behind the team. Last home game against Bristol Rovers, unfortunately, we lost the game, but we showed great spirit getting back in at three-all. The support and the atmosphere that was generated in the ground that day was excellent, and that was a big factor to why the team were able to come back, so it's a huge advantage when you get the supporters behind them."
"The team is looking good; we've had most of the lads back in training so far, so we almost have a full squad available for the weekend," Sam said.