Here at “Going Down The Oteley Road” we will be speaking to fans of our opposition throughout the season. Ahead of our League One game away at Fleetwood Town, we had a chat with a Fleetwood fan.

What’s your name?

Roy Brooks-Brennan.

Where are you from?

Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire.

How long have you supported Fleetwood?

4 or 5 seasons.

Who is your favourite ever Fleetwood player?

Wes Burns, have seen Wes improve over the years and now playing in different positions.

Who is your favourite ever Fleetwood manager?

Uwe Rosler, got the players working together well.

Who should we watch out for from the current Fleetwood team?

Kyle Dempsey, he’s a strong player, will fight for the ball and never loses the ball.

Where do you think you will finish in the league this season?

In the play-off’s.

What do you know about Shrewsbury?

They are a strong team.

What do you think the score will be?

1-1.

Big thanks to Roy, hope you enjoy the game.

Daz Carding

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

Sam Northwood previews today’s away League 1 game against Fleetwood Town.

Town will travel to Fleetwood needing a result to get back on track in the league.

Last time the two clubs met was earlier in the season when Town lost 3-0 at home which was one of the worst performances of the season so far.

Fleetwood currently sit in mid table in League One, they are aiming for the play offs and have the squad to do it. Their main threat will be striker Paddy Madden who always seems to score against us.

After the impressive win on Tuesday to set up a tie with Liverpool it was announced Ryan Giles had been recalled by Wolves and his loan was ended but shortly after attacking left back Sam Hart joined on loan from Blackburn.

Predicted XI’s

Shrewsbury Town:

O’Leary

Sears

Ebanks Landell

Williams

Pierre

Golbourne

Norburn

Goss

Laurent

Lang

Cummings

Fleetwood Town:

Cairns

Coyle

Eastham

Souttar

Andrew

Coutts

Connolly

Dempsey

Morris

Evans

Burns

Score Prediction: Fleetwood Town 2-0 Shrewsbury Town

Sam Northwood

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

We asked the Salopian super fan, Bizzy for his thoughts on our headline grabbing FA Cup win against Bristol City.

“Monday he dont turn up, Tuesday he dont turn up, Wednesday he turns up.. we dont bloody work Wednesdays.”

“An utterly magical night at the Meddah and a mirror opposite to the steaming vat of highland cattle excrement i witnessed Saturday.”

“Theres something about a cup night match, the lights blaring and the aromatic inviting vapours of bovril and pasties wafting through the owd nostrils.”

“The prize of a goldmine game against the Club World Champions undoubtley spurred on Town, there was an intensity, a vigour and purpose to our game. We were far more alert with the ball and getting into forward positions alot better, why do we always seem to do it against higher class teams??”

“Some unreal effort Tuesday night, the back 3 yet again utterly brilliant, you can moan about Samuel’s negative style of football but hes built a literal back wall at the back. Pierre was unbelivable with some crunching challenges and not afraid to get forward either we have a real gem here a massive signing. EEL and Ro Shaun utterly superb too, they covered Love and Golbourne who was struggling at times, immense at the back.”

“The midfield was loads better the pick being Josh Laurent, I did give him a bit of a roasting Saturday but fairplay he was up for it Tuesday. If rumours are true Liverpool could possibly be his last game for Town, on his day when hes interested he’s Salops best player for me. Giles again ran his heart out as did Udoh but the final product was lacking in both, faultless in effort though. Giles is definitely a player in progress still very raw but obvious potential is there. I thought Bristol City were quite average for a Championship side, looked shaky at the back Ashley Williams all over the place and there finishing was poor.”

“The high of Pierre’s winner was purely of trosopheric proportions I’m still utterly buzzing, watching Salop is comparable to an owd sprout torturous at times (the utter ringsausage performance at Doncaster for example) but when the times are good its sheerly heavenly.”

“Got interviewed for the Salop Star after but cunna muster any words.”

“Shrewsbury Town i was bloody proud of you Tuesday well done lads.”

“Too the bread and butter of Fleetwood Saturday and I would be more than happy to take a point there, cracking lil ground and social club very friendly place, get ya arses there if you can.”

“Love n jollops, Biz”

Be sure to follow our resident Shrewsbury Town super fan on Twitter @Bizzylad

Bizzy

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

Our man who travels home and away following the mighty Shrewsbury Town Rhys Gratton, gives his views on Town’s 1-0 win in the FA Cup against Bristol City.

Shrewsbury Town V Bristol City (14/01/2020)

“As Salop prepared for their FA Cup replay against Championship opposition, they knew that the prize was that bit bigger than just a place in the next round, as the winners would face a visit from newly crowned World Champions, Liverpool. This made the task of the night that bit greater, knowing that Bristol City would be even more fired up than usual for this game. As for the lineups it was the same side that played at Ashton Gate for Town, whilst City took no chances and named a full strength side, having been outplayed just 10 days earlier.”

“As the match got underway the Meadow was absolutely rocking, as the 7,000 strong crowd looked to roar the boys over the line. Unsurprisingly the visitors came flying out of the traps, as they looked to finish the game before it started, with Diedhou looking dangerous as in the first game. In keeping with the pattern of play it was Joe Murphy who made the first save of the game, as a shot came through a crowd of bodies from the edge of the box it looked destined for the corner, but Murphy leapt to his right to pull off a sensational save. From the resulting corner he made an easier but just as important save, as the flick on at the near post fell at his feet, he scrambled to fall on it. The hosts then started to get into the game, and had their first significant chance as Aaron Pierre struck a speculative shot just wide. Dan Udoh then hit a powerful strike bound for the top corner, but Bentley pulled off a fine save in the Robins’ net. Bristol City always looked dangerous though, and had targeted Shrewsbury’s left wing as a point of weakness, with Eliasson and Hunt combining and interchanging well to confuse Giles and Golbourne. They continued to create chances this way, using the physical presence of Diedhou as a focal point of their attack, as he continued to threaten the Town back line, but was well marshalled for the most part. Shrewsbury then got a chance on the break, Ryan Giles had well and truly beaten Ashley Williams for pace, but his touch took him wide and he blazed his shot way over the bar. The last chance of the half fell to City and Diedhou, as he beat the offside trap but he also cleared the crossbar by some distance.”

“City once again came out stronger but were failing to create any clear cut chances, with Shrewsbury sitting back and frustrating them they were reduced to wayward shots from distance. A double change from Salop not far past the hour changed everything. Lang and Whalley were introduced and breathed fresh life into a stale Salopian attack. Within a minute of coming on Whalley delivered a cross which no one in red took responsibility for, leaving Lang free at the back post, and his header was only denied by a sensational save from Bentley. Town suddenly were a major threat once again, whilst remaining resolute at the back. However there was still no end product, with City able to clear any ball that came into the box one way or another. With just a minute remaining and the tie seemingly destined for another half hour, we needed a hero. Up stepped Aaron Pierre. Following a lay off from Jason Cummings, who not a minute earlier had come on for Sean Goss, Pierre once again struck a speculative shot as in the first half, only this time it was on target. Only this time, it was destined for the back of the net. Three sides of the Meadow went into absolute meltdown as Pierre sprinted over to the bench to celebrate, and Salop finally led. After some superb game management and rock solid defending, Shrewsbury were through, sparking jubilant scenes at full time.”

“After an outstanding performance, which was tactically spot on, it seems almost unfair to pick a Man Of The Match but Aaron Pierre takes it as he was outstanding all night along with Williams and Ebanks Landell in keeping Diedhou largely quiet and then stepped up when the pressure was on to put the blue and amber army into round four to face Liverpool.”

“UP THE SHREWS!”

Rhys Gratton

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

Our young inspirational reporter and massive Shrewsbury Town fan Corbin gives us his thoughts on yesterday’s outstanding win against Bristol City.

“We have done it! We are going to play the European and World Club Champions Liverpool: What a great night to be a Shrewsbury fan, all our poor league form forgotten in one magical 89th minute strike. I am buzzing!!”

“Sam Ricketts changed the team again from the weekend, Max O’Leary unable to play so Joe Murphy between the sticks making it the same starting line up as the first game at Bristol ten days ago with Udoh starting up front. The ground was rocking from the word go the noise levels in blocks 18 and 19 were deafening at times, Bristol City started the brighter within minutes when a long ranger had Murphy stretching to tip it around the post, City had settled quickly while we were still finding our rhythm. From early on Giles sought out the out ball, Josh Laurent was everywhere battling to win the ball and driving forward at every chance.”

“Bristol were still creating chances there big number 9 blasting over when almost one on one with Murphy and another save from Murphy from a scramble following a corner. Udoh who lead the line for Shrews burst forward but his shot was blocked, then an Aaron Pierre long range shot went just wide and we were growing into the game. City were a threat as they hit the outside of the post from a set piece and Shrews players bodies blocking other shots. Five minutes before half time we had two chances, Love’s quick thinking into Udoh and the striker hit his shot brilliantly, minutes later Giles ran through only to slice his effort wide.”

“Bristol became less of a threat going forward in the second half, they had lots of possession and were trying to hit us on the break but we had bodies back defending everything. Josh Laurent was back to his best with jinking runs breaking up play and passing forward trying to create. At the back we were solid Pierre, Williams and Landell dealing with most things. Bristol only real good chance fell to their number 9 but he blasted over again!”

“With 20 minutes to go Sam brought Whalley and Lang on for Udoh and Giles, straight away the two subs combined from a Whalley cross heading towards goal by Lang making the Bristol keeper scramble across goal to palm it out for a corner. Lang’s first touch was magical going into the final 10 minutes and both Whalley and Lang had chances. Laurent was the provider to Lang’s chance as his shot was tame and then the next went just wide.”

“On 88 minutes Cummings came on for Goss, we were getting ready for an extra 30 minutes and then. Then a throw in by Love to Cummings with his back to goal, he held it up then gave m it back to Love who ran sideways before a back pass to Pierre, Pierre ran forward passing it to Cummings again with his back to goal and laid it back to Pierre. Aaron then banged a low drilled shot in the net. Boom!! 1-0 to the Shrews in the 89th minute, the place went mental with fans from all around the ground leaving their seats and jumping with joy. What a goal, what a brilliant goal and the whole team ran to the bench with everyone celebrating.”

“The noise in blocks 18 and 19 was awesome as was the rest of the ground!!”

“Back to the game and the referee gave 4 minutes of time added on, Bristol piled forward but there was no way through. Laurent who was brilliant all game and pinged it forward to Lang who in turn passed across to Cummings who was heading for corner flag & then the referee blew for full time.”

“There was a small pitch invasion as fans rushed to their heroes, we had done it! We had won the third round replay against Bristol City, we are going to play Liverpool at home in fourth round of the FA Cup. Wow what a game and what a goal to win it. I sang myself hoarse throughout the game and I am so so happy, forget the league form we are in fourth round of the FA Cup about to pit our wits against best team around. Wow again!!”

“My Man Of The Match was going to be Josh Laurent he was all over the pitch, breaking up play with forward balls, creating chances and jinking runs but Aaron Pierre gets my vote. He was solid at the back and scored a banger which is worth winning any game.”

“We rode our luck in the first half but overall we defended really well as a team, everyone contributed including the subs in the second half. We created a lot more than them and of course we scored. Our league form might not be the best in 2020, but tonight it was all about the FA Cup and that tie with Liverpool at home a week on Sunday. The magic of the FA Cup was definitely in Shropshire last night!”

“Back to League action on Saturday away to Fleetwood,See you there. Love and Peace Corbin.”

Thanks to Corbin for his thoughts on the game against Bristol City.

Corbin Davies

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

Ahead of tonight’s FA Cup Third Round Replay against Bristol City we asked Salop fans what they think the score will be.

Richard Vernon – “1-1, Town win on pens”

James Arch – “2-1 Salop, hopefully in 90 mins!”

Barry Hawkins – “2-0 Salop, Lang and Cummings”

Adam Rodgers – “Based on recent performances sadly I’m thinking 0-2”

Greg Cameron – “1 nil Salop”

Jim Scuffham – “2-1 Town, Udoh and Laurent”

George Lanning – “My gut feeling is 1-0 Town but I think it’ll be 3-1 Bristol”

Daz Carding

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

@GDTORsalop

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

Sam Northwood previews tonight’s home FA Cup Third Round Replay game against Bristol City.

Town will host Bristol City in a replay in the third round of the FA Cup, the winner will face world champions Liverpool in the next round.

In the first game, it finished 1-1 and Town went home disappointed that they hadn’t picked up the win as it was all Town in the second half. This will give them hope for the replay.

Bristol City have lost five of their last eight games but winning their latest game in the league. Their main threat will be Famara Diedhiou who scored their goal in the first game.

Joe Murphy will be between the sticks for Town as Max O’Leary will be unavailable as he is on loan from Bristol City. Ryan Sears could be in contention to start after his impressive display in the drab draw on Saturday. Aaron Pierre is a doubt for the game having picked up an illness, he was being assessed on Monday.

Predicted XI’s

Shrewsbury Town:

Murphy

Love

Ebanks Landell

Williams

Beckles

Golbourne

Norburn

Goss

Laurent

Lang

Udoh

Bristol City:

Bentley

Hunt

Moore

Wright

Rowe

Eliasson

Massengo

Walsh

Szmodics

Palmer

Diedhiou

Score Prediction: Shrewsbury Town to win on Penalties

Sam Northwood

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

We asked the Salopian super fan, Bizzy for his thoughts on our League 1 game against Lincoln City.

“How would you describe her mon? “Sort of a balding bulbus rubber jonny full of custard really, with stretchmarks on her belly like an AA road map.”

“Well its the week before my mucker Kinny gets married, so had more than a few jollops pre game, top owd nonsense with some great lads. Got to the game and in reality I wish we stayed in the pub, no good lying it was an absolutely awful game, two mid/lower table sides in an average division battling it out in crap conditions. If i was a Lincoln fan I’d be gutted we hadn’t won. Salop didn’t show enough going forward to deserve anything, getting a familar story in all honesty.”

“Despite the dirge that was before my hazy jollop infused eyeballs it wasnt all gloom, some decent individual performances from some. Man Of The Match without doubt was Max O’Leary kept us in the game in the end no doubt it would have been an away win without him brilliant news he’s stopping for the season, he will play at a higher level without doubt. Ryan Sears was very assured, Love has gone off the boil a bit recently but will have no qualms bringing Sears in hes got an owd head on young shoulders reads the game well not afraid to get forward, think it was his ball in the box that caused our pen?? Top player and great to see him back. Ro Shaun was decent too and Callum Lang did everything that was asked for him, bloody hard work considering our only feeding of attack was from the wing backs and having a partner in Whalley who just wasnt at the races. He is far more effective out wide or as an impact sub but didnt look at it at all. We need a big Holt type target man upfront but we can dream I suppose.”

“Biggest disappointment of the day was the midfield three of Norbs, Laurent and Davey Edwards none showered themselves in any glory. Norbs was far too deep, Laurent just looked disintrested to me does look like he will be off in the next couple of weeks, overall this season he’s been generally superb though and the enigma that is Davey Edwards love the lad to bits but was really unsure of his role Saturday, didn’t really do anything of note. I should change the record but the need of an attacking creative Doch type midfielder is essential.”

“News of Fejiri’s imminent departure is no big suprise to me, you can all say the system is wrong but he comes across as not showing any effort and looks disintrested at times too. At least Lang, Udoh and Cummings look bothered when they are playing, a bit harsh on Fey maybe and as a finisher he’s the best at the club but hes got to improve on other aspects of the game, selling him to a rival in the same league is a strange one though. He’s gone stale at Salop and the move will do him good, no doubt he will flourish at Donny.”

“Overall a game to forget we were very predictable, despite some decent individual performances we were well below par. Some very restless natives at the Meddah and whos to blame them, the negative style of play is dragging alot of people down. Tomorrow’s game vs Brizzle Titty will be different I hope, though with them being a Championship side it will be alot more open i think. The return of Giles is an absolute must, get a feeling the owd fermented orchard swillers will take it alot more seriously but could go either way.”

“As frustrating as the football is we’ve got to stick with Sam for the season at least hes a bloody stubborn bugger tactically though but we’re not far off being a very decent outfit if their given the chance to express themselves properly.”

“Keep the faith, Love n jollops Biz”

Be sure to follow our resident Shrewsbury Town super fan on Twitter @Bizzylad

Bizzy

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

Our young inspirational reporter and massive Shrewsbury Town fan Corbin gives us his thoughts on yesterday’s draw with Lincoln City.

“Back home for our first league game of 2020, Lincoln City the visitors after Tuesday night’s disappointment at Doncaster a performance and result was needed badly ahead of the FA Cup replay against Bristol City. Sam Ricketts made changes with Lang starting up front with Whalley and Laurent, Norburn and Edwards in midfield and a return for Ryan Sears at right back, out went Udoh, Giles, Love and Goss.”

“The first 30 mins of the half had little action with only an O’Leary save to deny Lincoln the opener. Nothing seemed to be working as Town struggled to get a grip on the game then a move clicked with Sears whipping in a dangerous ball into the box which went out for a corner ,the corner ball in caused chaos and Ebanks Landell was tripped in the box and a penalty awarded. Captain Norburn smashed it into the corner 1-0 after 36 mins.”

“The goal sprang us into life and we were denied a second penalty when a another clear foul in the box wasn’t given by the referee, another chance shortly afterwards from a cross with Ro Shaun heading narrowly wide. We should have been a couple of goals up at the break but it was only 1-0.”

“Second half started and people were still taking their seats when Beckles, an early first half sub for Pierre appeared to push a Lincoln player in the box, down he went and the ref pointed to the spot.Walker smashed the penalty home 1-1 after 48 mins. The equaliser seemed to make Lincoln a lot better and they started attacking us with more confidence, we had Max O’Leary to thank for keeping the score level. Two goal bound shots saved onto the bar and another two cracking saves from long distance.”

“We struggled to get a winner even bringing Udoh on for Lang and Cummings on for Edwards didn’t improve things, too many times forward passes seemed too risky and the safe back pass or sideways pass seemed easier. We didn’t take enough risks and you could hear the moans and groans from the home fans that the team seemed almost happy with a point.”

“Not a classic at all, a game of two halves and two penalties and a referee who seemed to blow his whistle every time someone fell to the floor. Maybe on another day we would have got a second penalty but no excuses as we lack that attacking edge. Two shots on target at home and now two shots in two games isn’t going to move us upwards and start us dreaming again.”

“Now time to focus on the FA Cup Replay with the chance of a home game against the mighty Liverpool, so roll on Tuesday night lets hope we up our game otherwise Bristol City will win easily.”

“My Man of The Match today is an easy one Max O’Leary, he pulled off a brilliant save at 0-0 and four very good saves in the second half that people would be purring at if it had been De Gea, Allison or other Premier League keepers making those saves. It earned us a draw and at least a point in a game we were second best for large parts.”

“Love and peace, Corbin.”

Thanks to Corbin for his thoughts on the game against Lincoln.

Corbin Davies

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

Ahead of today’s League 1 game against Lincoln City we asked Salop fans what they think the score will be.

Alun Lanning – “A very defensive 1-0 to the Shrews”

Russell Bryan – “Weather’s going to play it’s part, plenty of mistakes 2-2.”

Bruce Duuff – “Mr Jekyll will be out today and 3 -0 to the Shrews!”

Kim Joanne Jones – “2-0”

Chris Kane – “I’m going to go with a dull 0-0 lots of chances but none of them hitting the net”

George Lanning – “Very scrappy 1-1”

Charlie Wilkinson – “4-1”

Richard Vernon – “1-0”

Adam Rodgers – “The wind will be today’s winner in a horrible 0-0 draw!”

Andy Forrester – “Well if we score 1st maybe a win maybe.

Score 2nd if we can possably a draw.”

Martin Wall – “2-1 Salop”

Daz Carding

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

@GDTORsalop

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/