Bernard McNally column: Keeping Ben Godfrey is great news for Town

Extending his loan from Norwich City is huge as he has been tremendous for Salop with his quality on the ball and physicality.

He shepherds the back four very well and you need those sorts of players to be successful.

It is a big plus, keeping Ben for the rest of the season, as you want that continuity – you do not want to break up a side that has done so well.

Paul Hurst would have been a bit concerned over how to replace him had he gone back to Norwich, so he will be really pleased to have got the deal done.

Ben is gaining valuable experience and has shown maturity beyond his years. You do forget he is only 19.

It is great for him to be playing every week for a side challenging for promotion in League One, rather than being a bit-part player for a mid-table Championship team. It is a great bit of business all round.

Ben, of course, was involved as second-placed Town managed to draw 0-0 at table-toppers Wigan Athletic on Boxing Day.

To go to Wigan, who have been pasting teams, and come away with a point is fantastic.

It could prove to be a very big point for Paul and his team.

They are building confidence and just seem to be going from strength to strength – showing their unbeaten run earlier in the campaign was certainly no fluke.

They have done ever so well recently, beating Portsmouth 2-0 at the weekend too, and the top six – if not the top two – is very much a realistic aim now.

It is exciting times and it could all well end up with getting promoted to the second tier, the Championship.

The players have caught the attention of many people in the game and Paul has really put himself firmly in the shop window with how he has transformed Shrewsbury – from relegation fighters to promotion contenders

It was no surprise to see him being linked to the vacant post at Sheffield Wednesday, especially as he is from the city.

If he carries on as he is, teams will be looking at him – big Championship sides.

And, at some point, he may have to take that next step up.

At the moment, though, he seems focused on the task at hand – keeping up the charge with Town.

He deserves a lot of credit for the job he has done at the Meadow, lifting the place so much and getting the team playing great football.

The club’s hierarchy deserve just as much credit, though, for giving a young English boss a chance to prove his worth.