Shrewsbury can do something special - Clucas

Sam Clucas spent the second half of the 2024-25 season with Lincoln City in League One

Shrewsbury Town midfielder Sam Clucas says the squad need to "aim high" and believe they can "do something really special" this season.

The 34-year-old former Hull City and Swansea City player joined Town from Lincoln in May, becoming the club's second summer signing.

Since then, four more players have arrived as boss Michael Appleton looks to build a squad capable of challenging for an immediate return to League One following relegation last season.

"I'm really optimistic about the season," Clucas told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"A lot of the lads won't come out of the dressing room and say it but I am and I'm hoping we can do something really special this year."

Shrewsbury are rebuilding after a torrid campaign in 2024-25, that saw Appleton become the third manager of the season when he came in on an interim basis for the last nine games.

Although he could not prevent Town from finishing bottom of League One, he signed a two-year contract to become head coach and, like Clucas, has spoken optimistically about the coming season.

"I enjoy the way the manager wants to play football - it suits me down to the ground," Clucas said.

"That was one of the main pulls of getting me to the club. I was at Lincoln last year and I saw the way Shrewsbury played.

"I want to get on the ball and play and it's what the gaffer wants to do and we've got a team that's good enough to do that and cause teams problems."

'You've got to believe you're going to win'

Clucas, who made more than 100 Championship appearances for Stoke City, has been joined by defenders Tom Anderson, Sam Stubbs and Will Boyle along with Tom Sang and teenage goalkeeper Elyh Harrison on loan from Manchester United.

"It's a new group and there are a lot of new players who have come in," Clucas said.

"Obviously the manager came in for a few games [at the end of last season] but now he's had a pre-season where he can put his ideas in and you've always got to aim high."

Clucas, who also played 66 times in the Premier League, said he has adopted a boxing-style mentality when it comes to having a positive outlook.

"I've done that all my career," he said.

"Even when I was playing in the Premier League I wanted to win it - whether that's doable or not, you have to have that belief.

"It's like a boxer going into a ring - you've got to go in there and believe you're going to win.

"Every game we go into this season, I'll be sat in that dressing room expecting to get three points.

"I know we're not going to win every game, it's not as easy as that, but I'm jealous when the season ends and I see all my friends at other teams going away and celebrating promotions - I want to be doing that.

"In my head we're going to have a good season and hopefully we can bring that to fruition."