Jackson: Shrews a better side under me
CARETAKER boss Mike Jackson claims Shrewsbury are in a better place since he took over despite his relegationthreatened side having to settle for a draw against local rivals Port Vale.
Shrewsbury are desperate for wins to lift them out of the bottom four and had the better of what few chances there were in an uninspiring game.
But they drew a blank in front of their home supporters for the seventh time in their last eight outings at the Greenhous Meadow as Jackson, in charge for the last four matches following the resignation of Graham Turner, continues to wait for his first win.
Jackson said: “We’ve had a clean sheet, we’ve picked up another point at home, and there’s been encouraging signs from where we were when I walked through the door, or into this seat.
“The club’s in a better place as regards what we're doing.”
Jackson opted for a different approach by fielding a trio of central defenders while he also sprang a surprise by dropping goalkeeper Chris Weale after a run of 76 successive games for the club.
He handed a league debut for the club to Joe Anyon who was rarely troubled by a Vale side clearly missing top scorer Tom Pope after he was forced off injured in the early stages.
“I said to the lads afterwards that could be the most important point by the end of the season,” added Jackson. “There’s 15 games left and it just might be a good point.”
Chances were at a premium throughout with both defences on top.
Shrewsbury adjusted well to their new formation with Jermaine Grandison their stand-out performer at the back.
Ryan Woods, Shrewsbury's energetic midfielder, twice forced routine saves out of Chris Neal in the second half while Connor Goldson and Paul Parry failed to hit the target from decent chances.
Daniel Jones curled a late effort narrowly wide for Vale but that was as good as it got for the Potteries team.
Port Vale boss Mickey Adams was pleased with the clean sheet and praised the contribution of young central defenders Jack Grimmer and Joe Davis - but bemoaned a lack of cutting edge.
“I’ve said to the boys we can’t get it right,” said Adams. “We either score loads of goals and let loads of goals in or the opposite.
“I felt we defended manfully. I was a little bit surprised with their formation and line up but they’re scrapping for their lives and it’s up to us to try and break them down.”