Shrewsbury Town currently occupy 24th place in League One and have the worst goal difference in the division. An early indication suggests that relegation is likely, can their season be turned around?

Gareth Ainsworth has only been in charge of the Shrews for four matches, and it has been a strange tenure to say the least – in terms of early results. A statement 3-2 victory against the big-spenders and promotion favourites, Birmingham City, handed the former Wycombe Wanderers boss the perfect start to life at Shrewsbury, but a run of three successive defeats have halted progress.

Ironically, it was Wycombe who dished out a 4-1 defeat in their latest League One fixture. Jordan Shipley looked to have thrown an ambitious lifeline with a goal to make it 3-1 in the 72nd minute, but hope was immediately quashed by the league leaders as Daniel Udoh made it four shortly after.

Is there a lack of goal threat?

Shrewsbury have only scored 19 goals so far this campaign, which in fairness is higher than at least six other teams’ tally. They are also matching Rotherham United and Leyton Orient for output this season, but have let in 39 attempts – the most of any in the division.

A relatively experienced front line of 32-year-old John Marquis and Tom Bloxham, who has played 152 competitive games already at 21, should suggest that the attacking threat offers significantly more than it currently does. This is especially prevalent when the Shrews managed to acquire the service of Chelsea loanee, Leo Castledine, to support the two strikers just behind. It is an unusual situation where something clearly isn’t clicking between the three of them.

Having this over-reliance on the front three to work miracles in games, just to grab a point or in some cases three, will be massively detrimental to the side in the long-term. Teams have been able to nullify the League One side’s threat so far this season and it is hard to see what can change with this current approach.

Shrewsbury have had enough of the ball in previous games to be able to fashion a response to their opposition, but have simply been outclassed. In fact, in their 4-1 away defeat at the hands of Cambridge United, Ainsworth’s side had 59% possession but could only convert from the penalty spot.

What next?

Perhaps a change in formation might be the best approach for Shrewsbury in the upcoming games. The profile of player that they have obviously suits a two-striker system, but the attacking intentions are being thwarted most of the time by their League One counterparts.

Charles Sagoe Jr. for one, has barely been utilised this season, as well as Tommi O’Reilly. The Arsenal and Aston Villa loanees are both capable of playing on the wing; they need the experience of competitive football and could be key in progressing the side up the pitch with more width and attacking intensity. Something bold needs to be done to change the club’s current trajectory and it could be right there on the bench.