Debutante Jason Cummings spoke to Shrewsweb about his first game in a Town shirt and securing a well-earned point for Town against AFC Wimbledon.
Jason said; "It could've been better, we could've got the three points, but on a personal level it was good to come on and get a goal and get off the mark and hopefully now I can kick on and get a few more goals for the boys."
Sam Ricketts started with Cummings on the bench after not having a very good pre-season and knowing that his fitness levels weren't at the best they could. Cummings came on, around the 70th-minute mark and five minutes later, he was wheeling away in celebration as he placed the ball into the back of the net.
"I was desperate to get on, I've not had the best pre-season and I'm not fully 100% fit and I knew that I was not going to start the game but when I got on it was a great ball by Gilo. I was delighted when I scored. I've honestly missed it, I've actually just missed playing, never mind scoring, in the past, last season I never played as much as I wanted especially the last six months or so, so I've not had that feeling in a long time and a goal as well makes it better."
Towards the end of the 90 minutes, the play became a little messy and the ball was flying from one end of the field to the other as both teams attacked to break the deadlock. "It ended up a bit like a basketball game at the end, could have easily won the game but could've easily lost the game so, we take the point and we go again, we've got a big game Tuesday so we'll now re-group and go again."
"I feel like if we want to challenge and try being in the top six, we've got to be winning games like this. There are a few new faces and I think second half we were a lot better which is a positive as well." Cummings has hopes that Town can push for the top six.
Life at Shrewsbury has been a good start for Jason. Settling in well and making a name for himself. The 24-year-old signed a two-year deal to wear the blue and amber shirt and to bag some goals for Shrews.
"The boys have been brilliant and the manager he's been great with me and all the staff as well and it's a nice place as well, Shrewsbury, hopefully, get a little flat sorted next week and I'm settling in good. I was delighted the game was called off when I first came in cause I wasn't ready fitness-wise, so we had a mini pre-season and managed to get myself going again which has been good for me and if I'm honest I'm still not 100%, but I'm getting there. I felt today like I was getting my sharpness back, a week or so I'll be fully fit, definitely."
"We've got a good squad yeah, every position, there are one or two top players. Especially, strikers, you've got be playing well to get started. I feel like I enjoy starting games than coming on, when you come on sometimes it's a bit hard to catch your breath and get in the game, everyone wants to start but it's up to the gaffer."
"I just want to get back playing and get back enjoying it. I spoke to the gaffer and he said to come here get back playing and get back scoring goals, and it's started well and I've got that good feeling back." Town fans have been fulfilled that Cummings has signed and will play in the number 9 position hoping to score many goals over the next two seasons.
Cummings could make his home debut on Tuesday night as Town face Southend at Montgomery Waters Meadow. A home goal from Cummings would be great. "I want to be involved in every game and try score in every game. A little home debut will be good in front of the home fans."
When Jason signed, he knew a friendly face from Rangers. Midfield maestro, Sean Goss, has played alongside Cummings a few seasons ago and it is good that they are reunited. "He's a good lad, it's always good to come to a team and know someone, Goss is brilliant, and I thought he played really well today. He's a big player for us, he's very good on the ball and it's good to be here. I got carried away a bit, I got a bit excited and I went for the knee slide on probably the driest pitch in the UK and ended up doing a forward roll."