Steve Cotterill spoke to the press ahead of Saturday's game at home to Burton Albion.
The Brewers visit the Meadow off the back of consecutive wins in league and cup - their only wins against senior sides so far this season.
Town head into the fixture off a defeat at the hands of Port Vale in the Papa John's Trophy.
A former Burton player, Cotterill discussed all of the above and provided updates on the injured players in Shrewsbury Town's first-team squad.
ON BURTON:
"I love Burton Albion, I had a great time there and I know a lot of people there including the chairman, Dino (Maamria) and Jimmy (Floyd-Hasselbaink). I spoke to Jimmy the other week.
"I actually think they have been unlucky in the games they've played. We have played a few of the teams Burton have played, and Burton have played very well this year.
"When they got the win last week down at Exeter, I had spoken to Matt Taylor at Exeter about who they play next and I said Burton are decent. They definitely don't deserve to be where they are in the table, so that is the challenge this weekend."
ON BURTON'S RECENT FORM:
"Sometimes you might say it is good they have got their first win, but then it might give them the confidence to get another, but it really doesn't matter, it is about us this weekend.
"Last weekend there was not enough of us in a performance, and we need a performance this weekend - and the result then will take care of itself, but we need a performance."
ON TUESDAY NIGHT'S GAME AGAINST PORT VALE:
"I have said we are going to use it as a development competition this year because there is no way to find out more about some of the other younger players.
"It is an incredible step from under-18s to men's football - and against an experienced team the other night but it gave us an opportunity and I would take it again.
"I never want to get beat, not even in small-sided games out here, but sometimes you have to sacrifice things, and I am not sure how we find out about them otherwise, I don't know the answer.
"We don't have an under-19s or 21s, or a 23s, so the jump is huge. Declan (Hutchings) and Josh (Bailey) the other night had Elliott (Bennett) and Taylor (Moore) there and that helped them. I thought their performances were first class. I think some other players could have done better and given me a nudge for the weekend but didn't unfortunately.
"We are going to have to do this in this competition because I don't know the answer about finding out about some players coming up. We see them two or three times a week in training but not in matches."
ON ELLIOTT BENNETT:
"Elliott Bennett came back in (to the team). He hasn't come in today as he felt sick this morning but he was fine after the game and we knew he would obviously stiffen up. He went back to see the specialist in London yesterday, not because of the game, but because he was scheduled to see him regardless, so he has had a busy 24 to 48 hours.
"He woke up a bit sick so he might have picked up a bug, we don't know, but he will be okay, for what at the moment we don't know."
ON DAN UDOH, AIDEN O'BRIEN AND JULIEN DACOSTA:
"Dan's surgery has gone great. I had a text last night from Dan Green (Head Physio) who had a text from the surgeon saying everything had been done and he has a rock solid knee. Then Dan must have had a strange old day yesterday because he texted me at quarter to midnight saying he was starving hungry! It has been really frustrating as we've had to wait for Dan to have no swelling.
"But I said to Dan yesterday that this is the start of his rehab now and by the sounds of it, the operation has been really, really good. There are no meniscus tears which is real bonus, and we are looking forward to seeing him. He's just got to get home now and have a few days at home.
"Aiden has been feeling better, he is doing very, very well. With all injuries you lose muscle over night and with surgery, you lose them within hours, and then it takes weeks to build back up. So we're just building him up so he is strong enough. He is certainly fitter, learner, lighter and his body fats are down. These next few days are big for Aiden leading into a bigger week next week, and we want to make sure we get him right, the same as Elliott.
"Julien Dacosta is the same, he's coming along. We have missed him. Before the injury came along he gave us fantastic thrust when we played 3-5-2 and we have missed that a bit."
ON CHRISTIAN SAYDEE:
"He is a great lad. He had a tough day (in training) on Tuesday with the other boys and I think it is the same story with him. We are trying to get him up to speed and it's a nightmare not having them all from the first day.
"He fits in with the other boys but just because he is a good lad, doesn't mean they are up to speed. Christian needs fitness work, that is what he needs. On Saturday he was excellent for an hour, then all of a sudden he came down with a bump and that is just a lack of games.
"He really impressed me. He is incredibly strong and you can't move him, it's like trying to move concrete and he was really good and scored a great goal as well."
