Recalled Kelvin Langmead is out to prove his worth to manager Paul Simpson as he prepares for Shrewsbury Town’s home clash against promoted Aldershot on Saturday.
Langmead was one of the first names on the team sheet under former boss Gary Peters but fell down the pecking order when Simpson signed three new central defenders in the summer.
However, injury to Graham Coughlan and Simpson’s decision to play Shane Cansdell-Sherriff in midfield paved the way for Langmead to return to the starting XI for last weekend’s 1-0 win at Exeter – and he took the chance with both hands.
He’s now likely to keep his place for the clash with an Aldershot side certain to evoke fond memories of Town’s dramatic Conference play-off final victory over the Recreation Ground outfit at Stoke’s Britannia Stadium in 2004.
“Every player wants to play and is disappointed when they’re out, but it’s about how you react and my chance has now come along,” said fans’ favourite Langmead.
“I wouldn’t wish injury on anyone but that’s how it happened and I’ve got to try and take my chance now.
“I was pleased with how I played at Exeter and how the game went. First and foremost it was about the result and it was a hard fought win, but I think we deserved it with our attitude.
“It wasn’t the greatest performance from us but it showed another side to us that we’re gritty and can grind results out.”
Langmead was a contender for man of the match at St James’ Park and enjoyed teaming up with the experienced Mike Jackson at the heart of the back four.
“I’ve known Jacko for a long time,” he said. “I was a young YT at Preston when he was in the first team. He’s very professional, does things right and you can learn so much from him.”
Langmead revealed it came as no surprise when Simpson opted to bolster his back line during the summer and he fully expected to have to battle for his place this term.
“I knew it was going to happen and that he was going to bring in players because of the lack of centre halves at the end of last season,” he said.
“I always knew the players he brought in were not going to be here just to sit on the bench.
“But things change quickly in football, that’s how I look at it.
“I had to keep myself right and make sure that when the chance came along I was ready to take it because if I had gone off the boil and come in and not been ready, I would have damaged not only myself but also the team.”
Having been part of the squad which under-achieved so much last season, Langmead is confident there will no repeat this term and has set his sights high.
“The squad here is really strong, there’s a lot of depth to it and we believe we can really do well this year with the players we’ve got.
“We really fancy if we do things right that we can achieve something this year.”
And having seen off one of the promoted sides last weekend, Langmead is eyeing more of the same when Blue Square Premier champions Aldershot come to the Prostar Stadium on Saturday.
It’s a game that’s likely to pit Langmead into direct battle with ex-Town team-mate John Grant, a man who made little impact at Shrewsbury but who scored 21 goals for the Shots last season.
“I don’t know a lot about them but I know that when sides come up from the Conference, just like Exeter last week, you always get a tough game from them,” he said.
“They’re new to the league, the adrenalin’s going and they’ve got the momentum of coming up so we certainly won’t be taking Aldershot lightly.
“I was here for half a season with John Grant. He came in and out of the team, scored a few goals, so he’s certainly one we’ve got to be wary of.”
See page 85 of the North Shropshire Chronicle for more Town news including an interview with keeper Luke Daniels.
