Raven joined Shrewsbury after four years at Carlisle

A confidence coach at Shrewsbury has helped Dave Raven return to the side after his long-term hip injury.

The full-back has told BBC Radio Shropshire he could have slipped into low spirits while on the sidelines.

"Roy Broadhurst has helped me a lot by getting me to focus on the positive side of things rather than get stuck in a mental rut," Raven admitted.

"I've got an extra point to prove now, by showing I'm back and by fighting hard to keep the shirt."

Raven got back into the team when Jermaine Grandison picked up a three-game suspension after a recent red card.

"It's been really frustrating because I've been fit and raring to go for a while," he added.

"People think I've not been fit for longer than I really was, and I've been sitting on the bench for longer than they think too - and that does get you down.

"It makes you like a bear with a sore head, and you start taking it out on the people around you.

"It's been tough for my missus, but she's been there to support me and I feel I've come through it and come out the other side a stronger person."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version