Shrewsbury Town boss Gavin Cowan is assessing his "bloated squad" before their "huge" match with fellow League Two strugglers Barrow on Tuesday.
A 2-0 defeat at Colchester on Saturday left Cowan's side in 22nd, a point and place above the relegation places, but also just a point and place behind their next opponents.
Michael Appleton brought in six players during January before his dismissal at the end of the month, leaving Cowan with a big job to find his best XI.
"The squad is bloated, there's too many players in the squad, but we need to assess the group and look at the performances," Cowan told BBC Radio Shropshire.
"I thought we brought a lot of energy in the second half [against Colchester], players coming into the game and being really brave and that was the difference – that little bit of confidence and not so much fear.
"Just a little bit more quality going into that final third and I think we'll be alright."
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Shrewsbury are set to be without Sam Clucas for a spell after the experienced midfielder limped off after just 18 minutes against Colchester.
"It's a hamstring injury so it doesn't look good and obviously he's a massive player for us," Cowan said.
"To go a goal down after three minutes and lose him was really tough, and sometimes it seems when you're down there, nothing goes for you."
Town have not found the net in the two games since the new boss took charge after their goalless draw with Barnet, but the former Shrewsbury defender believed he saw progression in defeat.
"Anyone can run round a pitch like a headless chicken, but we've given them some structure, we've given them a game strategy and an identity and I thought they really bought into that," he said.
"It sounds like a contradiction with us not getting any points today and getting a point last week, but I feel today was a real progression."
