Shrewsbury analysis: Glass half full with time still on Town’s side this season

The result leaves them one point from the League One drop zone, having climbed from 18th to 17th.

The message to press and fans alike was to lessen the concern and raise optimism at Montgomery Waters Meadow.

But supporters’ concern is understandable. There is no lack of it. Town weren’t poor at Blackpool, they lacked a cutting edge, not for the first time.

The performance, as in the main under Ricketts, was encouraging, particularly the new 3-4-3 formation.

But Town must begin to find wins from these encouraging displays, else they will continue to be pegged back by the chasing pack.

Town were resolute, organised and in control against the Seasiders, eighth in League One, in a low-key affair. The visitors were much the better side and that owed much to the formation

But the goal record worries fans and that is also understandable.

The league standing also concerns fans. Town had been seven points clear of the drop zone, but that is down to one.

While most accepted the positive display at Bloomfield Road, messages concerning Town’s position were rife and that is because of the black and white of the table.

Ricketts knows where his side are – but he is not panicking, instead insisting that results will come, due to the standard of performances.

It is mid-January, but the season is far from its conclusion.

There is a long way to go. There are still new January recruits to complete, possible season-defining signings. Fans’ fear of relegation is understandable, because of Shrewsbury’s position, but it is too early to decide on a battle with relegation.

A couple of wins does wonders and will change the outlook immensely, due to the the compact nature of the rankings.

Once there are 10 games and under to go, after Town have completed their business and are heading from February into March, then their direction will become apparent.

Ricketts bears the brunt of fans questioning whether Town have progressed in his short tenure – they reference one win in eight league games.

It’s too simplistic to say that, under Danny Coyne and Eric Ramsay, the fixtures were kind to Town (they were), but a new manager has to put his stamp on things and Ricketts is trying to do that.

Saturday could be sign of Ricketts’ mark on Shrewsbury.

He gives little away on what formation he prefers and wants, instead saying he will assess opposition. But the 3-4-3 with Greg Docherty and Josh Laurent behind Fejiri Okenabirhie really suited Town and enabled them to dominate defence and midfield.

Taking Wolves (where Town may have to sacrifice ambition to be ‘more’ solid) out of the equation, it may be beneficial to see Ricketts stick with this system for the big league games ahead.

That way, playing with the intensity they did in the second half at Stoke and much of the tussle at Blackpool – a press-and-break-style – fans will see clearer a Ricketts footprint in the side.

Work remains to be done this window. Aaron Amadi-Holloway and new boy Sam Smith remain back-up options to Okenabirhie, but Lee Angol appears frozen out, so another forward is required.

Supporters, understandably, want someone with a proven record. This is a difficult ask in January.

But a bit of nous up top, someone who knows the game and could grab five goals between now and the end of the season, would be a boost.

Shaun Whalley’s recovery is priceless, played with Docherty in this system behind the striker – with Anthony Grant and either of Dave Edwards, Ollie Norburn or Laurent – as security behind, it looks like Town could be on to a winner.

The Blackpool stalemate – a 10th draw in 28 league games – was filed under a draw where Town should have won.

There have been a few too many of those but Town have, for the most, shown a resilience not to lose.

Though the squad is underperforming – certainly results-wise – it isn’t a squad that should be worrying about the drop.

There is a defence and midfield in particular there that should be looking far higher up the table.

Encouraging performances, but only grabbing a point when three are needed, will see Town come a cropper as the season wears on if the chasing pack keep improving.

Ricketts feels wins are close and when you see Town dominate a side like Blackpool, it is tough to disagree

But you wonder if more firepower is the answer to turning those draws into wins.

Town showed a ruthlessness at Stoke to score three late on and, on another day, Laurent scores the early sitter at Blackpool and it is a different game. Most chances fell Laurent’s way, but he cannot he held accountable for not sealing the points, as he creates many chances for himself.

Fans’ fears are understandable and acceptable. Town are not in a position they want to be but there are signs, time and room to manoeuvre in the market to turn things around.

There are big league games ahead, Town play most of the sides around them away from home, so improvement on that poor away record is a must.

There is more belief in the team at the Meadow and that must ignite on the road.

The players have the ability to win games when they’re at it. They’ve shown they can match very decent teams.

They require a belief, attitude and confidence to approach every game in that way. It is the task of the manager – who is a huge pusher of confidence and positivity – and that is what he will be working on.