Bernard McNally: Signing scorer must be Shrewsbury Town's No.1 goal

Sam said going into it that he would like to complete a ‘handful’ of deals and, at the moment, apart from Fejiri Okenabirhie, nobody is offering much of a goal threat.

Everybody is looking for someone to score regularly, of course, but you cannot deny Town need someone to lead from the front – either someone to play alongside Fejiri or break forward from midfield.

Fejiri is a young player who has done well and scored several goals, but we need someone to share the burden.

We could do with somebody who has that experience but can also bring others into the game.

It is obviously easier said than done, but Dave Edwards is heavily linked with a return to the Meadow – and that would be very exciting.

I think that would give the club a big lift and he would be a very valuable asset.

Goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne, from Wolves, has also been linked with a move to Salop, so we’ll have to wait and see with that one.

The big thing with any signing is that they hit the ground running, with the position we find ourselves in League One.

I was at the 0-0 draw with Fleetwood on New Year’s Day and Sam could be seen screaming at his forwards to press from the front.

Any top team does that, it is a key part of the game.

I’m sure Sam wants to improve in that department and a signing in that area, whether it is Edwards or not, would be welcome.

Another position the boss might be keen to strengthen is left-back, as we have not had an experienced left-footer since Junior Brown decided to move to Coventry at the end of last season.

I think having another out-and-out full-back would help Ryan Haynes’ growth, rather than stunt it.

A few fresh faces coming in would lift everyone at Town.

As a manager, you always want healthy competition in the camp – for everyone to be on their toes and knowing they have to perform at a high level week in, week out.

The stalemate with Fleetwood was disappointing, especially after a great performance to pick up a point at Sunderland.

Maybe the players were tired from travelling to and from the Stadium of Light.

But, on the bright side, they kept a clean sheet and gained a valuable point.

You always have to try to focus on the positives, after all.

Stoke are coming to town on Saturday for the FA Cup third round clash, taking place at 12.30pm because of it being selected for live overseas broadcast, and I think it will be a welcome break from league action for Sam and all of the players.

There is absolutely no pressure on us, facing a Stoke team who were in the Premier League last year.

All of the pressure is on Gary Rowett’s charges as they are a struggling a bit in the Championship, so they could really do with a win to lift their spirits.

I think that our players can go out there with freedom.

And if we did go out and cause an upset, that could prove to be a real turning point for the camps.

It is certainly not beyond the realms of possibility.

We are the underdogs, of course, and these are the games, as a player, that require very little motivational talk.

When I used to play, it was an absolute pleasure to be involved in the FA Cup. I loved it.

Hopefully, there will be a big crowd and we can pick up a memorable victory.