Shrewsbury Town boss Matt Taylor expects there to be plenty of coming and goings in the January transfer window at the club, as he voiced his plans in an interview with the Shropshire Star.
Taylor’s side have made an excellent start to the season, currently sat in 11th place yet extraordinarily only scoring 13 goals. Salop have been clinical when called upon this year but their ability to batten down the hatches to preserve leads is what has allowed them to ascend the table.
Despite their impressive run, Taylor expects the club to be very active in the January transfer window, and have already made their first signing in the form of Roland Idowu from League of Ireland side Waterford.
The midfielder joined Salop on a two-and-a-half-year deal, and although not able to play until the turn of the new year, has been training with the first team. Idowu provided nine goals and a further nine assists for Waterford in 33 matches this year, and Taylor will be hoping he can continue those numbers in England.
Having signed 13 players in the summer, it took a bit of time for the side to gel, but having lost just once in their last five matches it seems that the Shrews are now playing at their best.
That being said, it could be all change in January with the side potentially losing players across the pitch, but also looking to bring in new faces to consolidate their position in the table.
Speaking to the Shropshire Star about the club’s January transfer plans, Taylor said:
“I am expecting it to be a busy month getting players out of the treatment room. Of course, there will be players, new players that come into the squad, will there be players that maybe move on? I would imagine so.
“But that is no different to any other football club up and down the country, what that looks like at the moment? We have had lots of conversations and what have you. But I have learnt pretty quickly that not everything happens in the way that you want it to.”
“It is a case of taking every day as it comes. We have recruitment meetings so there is a lot still for us to talk about but the one thing I can guarantee is that all of the work going on behind the scenes is quite a lot because we understand just how important this transfer window could be, and will be as a football club.
“So, you never take anything off the table because football is such a crazy game and anything could happen.
“But the one thing I would say is there will be players coming into the building, yes.”
Given that the side have scored the third least amount of goals in the league this season, it can be expected that the priority would be to strengthen the forward ranks, but that is no guarantee and like Taylor said ‘anything can happen’.
Writer’s View
Shrewsbury have impressed in the first half of the season, currently sat in the top half of the table. They do however have their off-days, hence their current -14 goal difference, but when on song they are a very tough nut to crack.
Taylor has done a remarkable job so far, but reinforcements will be needed come January if they want to continue their current form. If no attacking outlets are sourced in January, then his side may start to be found out in the second half of the season.
