Not easy to come in for experienced Graham Turner

Steve Davis has praised the job Michael Jackson has done at Shrewsbury Town in difficult circumstances. Both men go head-head on Good Friday with three vital points up for grabs in the battle to remain in League One.

Jackson, 40, came through Crewe Alexandra’s youth set-up under Dario Gradi and went on to make nine first-team appearances before he was allowed to join Bury in 1993 to enhance his first-team opportunities. Gradi later stated that Jackson remains one of only a few who have come back to haunt him in his decision making.

Jackson replaced the vastly experienced Graham Turner in January and came into a club fighting against the possibility of relegation.

Ahead of our trip to the Greenhous Meadow, Steve Davis said of Jackson: “Michael was appointed manager at a difficult time. He had to follow Graham Turner when he stepped down and it is never easy coming into a club with the threat of a relegation scrap.

“It is a test and challenge for any manager, especially one who is taking his first job and he has done well. Shrewsbury certainly don't concede too many goals and Michael always sets them up well. No-one has really battered them and they are difficult to break down and hard to beat.

“We need to go there and be positive. We want to silence their crowd and use our good following to our advantage. A crowd can either help or hinder a performance and we want to put the pressure on them by playing well.

He added: “The players have shown that they can do that at Port Vale, Walsall, Gillingham and Crawley, so there is no reason why we cannot do it again.”