Comment: Finally a system to suit Town, now it's time to stick with it

And, perhaps, in an almost bizarre turn of events, an injury to Shrewsbury’s greatest attacking force, Shaun Whalley, could prove to be the ignition Town’s season needed.

Boss John Askey would have been cursing his luck as Whalley limped off against Sunderland in the 77th minute last weekend.

The boss said himself after the game how much of a blow it was to lose the player that creates most of his team’s attacks.

But losing Whalley triggered Askey’s decision to drop the 4-3-3 formation that was not quite producing the goods.

There had been some scope to look at using 3-5-2 after Town had smashed Tranmere Rovers in the Checkatrade Trophy using the same system.

And, as the system doesn’t require wingers, Whalley’s absence undoubtedly made the decision to change easier.

In a perverse way, the injury to Whalley could prove to be a blessing in disguise for Askey.

And the 3-5-2 could scarcely have looked any better on Tuesday night as Town swept aside a very exciting Barnsley team destined to be near the top of League One this season.

Now it is vitally important that some consistency and familiarity is drilled into the Shrews ranks.

All season there has been changes in personnel and, in recent times, the manager has chopped and changed his formation in search of a winning formula.

There has been little consistency yet and Askey has been craving that. Barring injuries or suspensions Town should continue with this line-up as it brought out a spark in their players.

The task also goes to the players to prove it was not a one-off. It may have been easy for them to raise their games against a Barnsley team that possibly came to Montgomery Waters Meadow believing they would win, and win easily.

It could have been a fluke. Salop need to prove it wasn’t.

Askey has suggested that the way Daniel Stendel’s Tykes play football, in their European style, suited Town. Shrewsbury got high into the visitors’ faces on Tuesday night. But Barnsley were not deterred and continued to try and pass it from the back.

Anyway, a real acid test of the formation and Town’s ability to work it well will come today against fellow strugglers Oxford, who have began to find a foothold under Karl Robinson.

The 3-5-2 formation gives Askey’s team everything he has been looking for.

Primarily it allows two strikers and Shrewsbury looked a hell of a lot better for it as Fejiri Okenabirhie buzzed around and showed he is more than capable to bother the best League One defences.

Lee Angol also worked harder and looked better for the more support around him.

Because there was so much support. Wave after wave of attack saw Salop push their midfield pairing of Greg Docherty and Ollie Norburn into attack while wing-backs Ryan Haynes and Josh Emmanuel were also rampant.

Full-back has been a problem area for Askey, particularly on the left side, but Haynes and Emmanuel look really suited to an attacking wing-back position, where there is slightly less defensive responsibility and more attacking freedom.

The fact you still get a midfield three, with the security of Anthony Grant, as well as a centre-half trio, makes the formation a very exciting concept for Askey’s Shrewsbury.

It has taken its time but, when the pressure-cooker cranked up to its maximum for the Shrewsbury boss, he has stumbled upon the system that best suits his group of players.

He needs it to continue working a treat.