The 2007/08 season was a disappointing one for Shrewsbury Town following the optimism that a Wembley final and the move to a new stadium brought. Results didn't go to plan on the pitch and this saw the departure of Gary Peters and the arrival of Paul Simpson.

The season was an eventful one for Ben Davies with him bounce back from a serious injury, taking over as club captain from Stewart Drummond as well as scoring some important goals.,

ShrewsWeb sat down with Benji to look back at the season and get his thoughts on what will go down as a disappointing one: "Looking back it was massively disappointing with the way we finished after we started the season in such a positive way.

"Moving into the new ground and all the optimism that went with that meant where we finished was poor."

The big news just before Christmas was that Ben had returned to full-time training and was ready for the reserves. That was quickly followed by his inclusion on the squad that travelled to Rotherham and after that Ben was a permanent fixture in the first team: "When I did the injury at the end of last season it was a case of writing the season off and to try to get a couple of games at the end of this season.

"To come back so soon was a big plus for me but looking back I probably came back too soon. I'd only had the one reserve game but at the time I had a word with Gary Peters, we were struggling a little bit and he wanted me to come straight back in.

"In hindsight that was probably not the best thing to do but to get nearly 30 games in was good for me."

As the season went on some of Ben's performances dropped below his normal standard though what fans didn't realise was what coming back from injury had taken out of him: "Me and Cookey were both out for long while at the start of the season and it took a while to get back.

"It wasn't the Achilles as that was still a little sore but the big thing that affects you is that you miss pre-season and getting all your fitness work.

"You have something like a 7 month break and then you come back and people expect you to be just the same but that doesn't happen.

"It probably takes you about a year of playing to get yourself back to where you were and where you want to be fitness and sharpness wise."

The end of season break couldn't come soon enough for Ben and he's enjoying the recent rest. He's booked a couple of holidays and will take advantage of the break to recharge his batteries to return for pre-season refreshed and ready: "I needed a break more than anyone really.

"I was going into games and into training with nothing really to give, feeling one paced and not at all sharp and in a bit of pain.

"I've had a couple of weeks now doing nothing and will then get away for a holiday.

"It will be good to come back rested and then use pre-season to get fit and get back into the swing of things."

Looking back at the season we asked Ben if there was something that he could pin point as the reason for the disappointment: "I think if you ask every player they will tell you that they know they have underachieved this season.

"When you look at the squad on paper everyone said we would be up in the play-offs so to finish where we did is poor.

"I can't really put the finger on where it went wrong, you can look at the goals against record and the fact that we failed to score at the other end is a bad combination and that will make you struggle.

"A lot of people say that we are a young team and need experience but I don't think that's an excuse, if you are good enough to play then it doesn't matter if you are 15 or 35 then you are to play.

"I can look at us and we may have had too many youngsters in important areas but I can't really see that as being an excuse."

The aim now is for the squad to return for pre-season under the direction and ideas of new manager Paul Simpson. They know they have underachieved this term and are aiming to put things right next season: "The gaffer has said pre-season will be hard and he wants us to come back with the same body weight and fat that we left with.

"He's going to be on our case about fitness but that's what we need to keep that fitness and sharpness up.

"He'll obviously bring in new players and strengthen the squad and that will add a healthy competition for places.

"There is a lot to look forward to and we just need to achieve something now."