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 at home to Lincoln City, we had a chat with an Imps fan.

What’s your name?

Joanne Moore.

Where are you from?

Grantham.

How long have you supported Lincoln?

33 years.

Who is your favourite ever Lincoln player?

Gareth Ainsworth, he was an outstanding player for Lincoln and I fancied him.

Who is your favourite ever Lincoln manager?

Keith Alexander, he took us to two playoff finals whilst manager and the Cowley’s come a close second.

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

Tyler Walker can be dangerous when he is in form.

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

Mid table.

What do you know about Shrewsbury?

We met them in the Checkatrade Trophy Final at Wembley.

What do you think the score will be?

2-2.

Big thanks to Joanne, hope you enjoy the game.

Daz Carding

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

Sam Northwood previews today’s home League 1 game against Lincoln City.

Town will host Lincoln in a crucial game for Town who need to try and push up the table again.

Last time the two clubs played each other was earlier this season when it finished 0-0.

Lincoln currently sit 16th in League One, one place below Town. They have had a very inconsistent season and have struggled to get a run of wins together. They have only drawn three games this season which isn’t many. Lincoln have signed 4 players before the game, all of them could feature at some point.

Sam Ricketts may make some changes this game due to the recent fixture load. He will also have Tuesday night on his mind with the winner facing Liverpool.

Predicted XI’s

Shrewsbury Town:

O’Leary

Pierre

Beckles

Williams

Love

Norburn

Goss

Edwards

Golbourne

Whalley

Giles

Lang

Lincoln City:

Vickers

Eardley

Bostwick

Shackell

Toffolo

Coventry

Morrell

Grant

Payne

Hesketh

Walker

Score Prediction: Shrewsbury Town 1-1 Lincoln City

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 away game against Doncaster Rovers.

“She was built like Fatima Whitbread, a knicker draw full of lobsters but by heck owd lad she could grapple with the best of em.”

“The flattest most uninspiring game without doubt last night just one to forget and put to bed. The atmosphere inside the ground was dead it had almost a training ground game/friendly match feel to it, really struggling to write anything worthy of note, after the heroics of Bristol City reality dawned on Salop again. Donny were no great shakes to be fair but it was just a night where everyone had an off day playing like a group of strangers.”

“Minor positives perhaps were Pierre was decent again and hats off to Scott Golbourne for at least making the effort of having a go at them. It was an unchanged Salop outfield side perhaps the excursions of Ashton Gate took it out of them, key players off colour were Laurent who looked lost, Norbs playing too deep and regulary giving the ball away. Normally bringing the subs on brings a burst of energy but Whalley, Edwards and Cummings did absoultley nothing to improve the game it was that bad. There were a few rumblings of discontent questioning Ricketts defensive tactics last night which although understandable wasnt the reason we lost last night, to be fair to Sam we reverted to two wingers and two up top but it made no difference hard to blame Sam for players simply not performing.

“A sore point but maybe we raise our game against the bigger attractive sides but in the bread and butter matches some look disinterested and devoid of ideas maybe an ego problem with some of the squad I’m not sure.”

“Not one shot on target last night and with the defence in general having a off day lies the problem, when we concede we score so little we are not going to win games. Another baffling thing is that we are conceding a lot of goals from headers in the box, with the size of our back three how the hell is that happening.”

“Some were even calling for Sams head but lets calm down a bit a cut the lad some slack, I’ve been a big critic too but since hes took over hes improved things, job done in keeping us up and now mid table only 4 points off the play offs. We are at the level we should be, I feel mid table in the third tier, but agree it’s so frustrating at times because we are so one dimensional but got to remember Sam has been a Football League manager a little over a year so is learning his trade too.”

“Case of bouncing back Saturday getting our heads down and grafting going back to what we are capable of, getting Giles more involved as he’s a potential diamond.”

“Lets just banish last night from the memories, assorted jollops and shaved ballbags all round.”

“Love n jollops, Biz x”

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

Bizzy

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

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 Doncaster Rovers, we had a chat with a Donny fan.

What’s your name?

Dean Medcalf. I am the Supporter Liaison Officer at Doncaster Rovers FC.

Where are you from?

Doncaster.

How long have you supported Doncaster?

24 years.

Who is your favourite ever Doncaster player?

James Coppinger, he has been with the club now for 15 years and has made over 650 appearances for the club and still going strong. He is a top bloke and always has time for the supporters.

Who is your favourite ever Doncaster manager?

Sean O’Driscoll. when he was first appointed in 2006 from Bournemouth, no one really knew who he was. He changed the whole philosophy of the club and the biggest change was the playing style, which gave us the nickname of the Arsenal of the north. The slick passing, possession-based style was great to watch. With Coppinger, Richie Wellens and Brian Stock in the middle of the field and Paul Heffernan and James Hayter in the forward positions, we would tear teams apart. Under Sean, we won the JPT final against Bristol Rovers and more importantly, we beat Leeds United 1-0 at Wembley in the League One play-off final. It was the best period the club has had in recent times.

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

James Coppinger. At the age of 38, he is still by far the most creative player in the team and can still find the back of the net. Jon Taylor is a very pacy and skillful winger and Ben Whiteman in the middle of midfield has been great for us since signing a few years back.

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

It all depends if we can sign a striker in this transfer window. If we get someone who has a real eye for goal I believe we could sneak into the playoffs. If not then a mid-table finish.

What do you know about Shrewsbury?

I know you guys were unlucky in the playoffs a few seasons ago and since then you have had to cope with losing some of the main people out of that team which unfortunately happens. You have had some good players recently with the likes of Dean Henderson on loan. We have recently appointed your head of recruitment Adam Hensall so hopefully, he can bring some good up and coming youngsters into the club.

What do you think the score will be?

I’m going to go with 2-1 Donny win… sorry guys!

Big thanks to Dean, hope you enjoy the game.

Daz Carding

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

Ahead of tonight’s League 1 game against Doncaster Rovers we asked Salop fans what they think the score will be.

Andrew Carter – “1-2”

Daniel Bishton – “0-1”

Rob Jones – “0-0”

Luke Harbridge – “1-1”

Kelly Marie – “1-2”

Philip Maun – “1-0 Town”

Colin Elston – “ Town 2-0”

Will Smith – “0-0”

Paul Francis – “2-4 to Shrews”

Les Cartwright – “3-2 to the Shrews”

Martin Wall – “1-1”

Richard Vernon – “2-1 Salop”

Logan Clarke – “0-0 or 0-1 Town”

Ross Jones – “2-1 Town”

Thomas Jones – “Donny 0-2 Town”

Scott Lewis-Bullock – “Donny 0-1 Town”

Jonny Harris – “2-1 Salop”

Chris Asterley – “1-1”

Robert Leah – “1-3 Town COYB”

Pauline Yates – “2-1”

Pete Jones – “2-2”

Sam Morecroft – “Salop to nick a 1-0 win”

Derrek Matthews – “1-2 Town win”

Daz Carding

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

@GDTORsalop

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

Sam Northwood previews tonight’s away League 1 game against Doncaster Rovers.

Town will travel to Doncaster hoping to regain their place in the top half.

Last time the two clubs played each other was last season when Town ran out 2-0 winners, Doncaster haven’t beaten Salop since 2015.

Doncaster sit 15th in League One but have games in hand on many sides and are expected to break into the top half again at some stage. Their main threats are Kieran Sadlier and ex Town graduee Jon Taylor.

After the news that Anthony Grant has now left on a permanent deal, it might release some funds for some extra players. That is now 4 midfielders who have left in the last week.

Predicted XI’s

Shrewsbury Town:

O’Leary

Pierre

Ebanks Landell

Williams

Love

Norburn

Goss

Golbourne

Laurent

Giles

Udoh

Doncaster Rovers:

Dieng

Halliday

Anderson

Wright

John

Whiteman

Gomes

Sadlier

Coppinger

Taylor

Ennis

Score Prediction: Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Shrewsbury Town

Sam Northwood

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

We asked the Salopian super fan, Bizzy refor his thoughts on our FA Cup draw with Bristol City.

“A very early start Saturday getting the 5.55am train and arrived in Bristol just after 9am, straight into Wetherspoons where there was a good smattering of Salop fans already about.”

“The game itself is arguably Salop’s strongest performance of the season at least the second 45 minutes was anyway, all 13 players who played can hold there hands up high. Daniel Udoh starting as the lone frontman but the big bonus was the inclusion of Ryan Giles again in his more favoured advanced left side role, he tore the City full back a new owd ring piece and was easily Salop’s best player on the pitch and now surely impossible to not include him in the eleven. Got to give Ricketts credit for his inclusion its added a new dimension to Salop’s play.”

“First half we did Ok without threatening a lot Udoh ran his socks off, got to say he is a better option than Fejiri and looks more hungry, lively and more accustomed to playing the lone role than Fey. I sound like a broken record but the defence was rock solid again, even better than Hurst’s back line of two seasons ago. Pierre was the pick hardly put a foot wrong and was getting forward at every opportunity. I was slightly critical of Goss in the first half as I thought he was a bit lightweight but fair-play I eat a big slice of humble pie as in the second half he was bloody outstanding. As was a back to form Josh Laurent surely there will be clubs sniffing around him but due to our healthy financial state theres no need to sell.”

“Cant praise the second half enough the intensity and speed of our play was a breath of fresh air we had a good balance to the side and the inclusion of Giles was a massive bonus as he was peppering the City box with balls. The squad looks strong and its good we can bring the likes of Whalley off the bench, Lang will be like a new signing now and would expect him to start against Donny. There must have been a lot of tired legs after that second half because the energy levels were unreal, we are looking a very fit team again similar to Hurst’s side also.”

“Just great to write such a positive report, the lads did us all proud and as for the away following every single one was a credit to the club.”

“Going to be a very tight game at Donny, they are a better side than there position says and a win would be utterly brilliant. The calling off of the Bury game is a blessing for Town as we are gonna have a little bit more in the tank. We will be only a point off the play offs if we win as i keep saying our goals to game ratio could be our undoing but Giles playing wide left is a masterstroke for which Samuel should be applaued for, we are going to create more chances. Seatbelts on for a bumpy second half of the season. Well done Sam and the boys, proud of you.”

“Love and jollops, Biz x”

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

Bizzy

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

Ahead of today’s FA Cup Third Round away game against Bristol City we asked fans what they think the score will be.

Gareth Williams – “1-1 will do i think”

Jamie Richards – “Get the draw”

Sam Breeze – “2-1 Town”

Adam Rodgers – “A sneaky 1-0 win against a side hopefully concentrating on the league”

Pete Jones – “Hope I’m wrong, 4-1 Bristol City”

Barrie Ashton – “Hope Sam realises a draw is no good, we need to win to progress”

Darren Morris – “We can sneak a draw if they play a weakened side, maybe even a 2-1 Salop win here’s hoping. COYB”

Richard Vernon – “1-1”

Ajay Taylor – “1-0, Ryan Giles 91st minute winner”

Daz Carding

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

@GDTORsalop

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

Here at “Going Down The Oteley Road” we will be speaking to fans of our opposition throughout the season. Ahead of our FA Cup Third Round game away at Bristol City, we had a chat with a Robins fan.

What’s your name?

Luke Rundle.

Where are you from?

Bristol.

How long have you supported Bristol City?

I’ve supported them my whole life but been a season ticket holder for 4 years.

Who is your favourite ever Bristol City player?

Personally it would be Hordur Magnusson, I always like cultured defenders and I loved watching him ping 60 yard passes with his left foot. He left us for Champions League football and on good terms, he still interacts with fans on social media and speaks well of his time at City.

Who is your favourite ever Bristol City manager?

I have to go with Lee Johnson as despite what people say about him, he’s given us some great cup runs and we are consistently considered one of the best in the Championship.

Who should we watch out for from the current Bristol City team?

On current form I’d say the front three of Weimann, Fammy and Watkins although they’ve only played with each other a couple of times it’s a trio that looks very dangerous. Also our left side with Da Silva and Elliason is very strong and creates a lot of chances even with Da Silva just back from injury.

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

I’d love us to finish in the playoffs but I don’t think our current squad depth will allow us the consistency to get there so another 7th or 8th place finish is what I’m expecting.

What’s your favourite FA Cup memory as a Bristol City fan?

I travelled to Watford away during our fantastic cup run and we went knowing we’d play a second strength team but it was a total free game and it’s always good to go to a Premiership team. We were dominated the whole game so much so a pigeon had taken up residence where the Watford left back should’ve been and it become the focal point of our chants until the mascot made it fly away and then the chants then became targeted at the giant hornet. It was just a very enjoyable away day.

What do you think the score will be?

I can see both teams scoring but think City should be strong enough for the win, so I’ll go for 3-1 to Bristol City.

Big thanks to Luke, hope you enjoy the game.

Daz Carding

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

Sam Northwood previews today’s away FA Cup game against Bristol City.

Town will travel to Bristol City in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup, hoping for another famous cup upset.

Last time the two clubs played each other was in March 2014 in which Bristol City came out 3-2 winners. Town have only ever won once at Ashton Gate which was way back in 1961.

Bristol City have lost 5 of their last 6 games and are in bad form. Many of their fans think this could be the end for manager Lee Johnson if Town can get a win. Despite only sitting 11th their fans are not happy. Lee Johnson could well go for his strongest team here if his job is on the line or with the recent heavy schedule he could put out a weakened eleven.

Three town midfielders have left the club this week which are Luke McCormick who has gone back to Chelsea, Louis Thompson who has gone back to Norwich and Ousmane Fane who has left due to family reasons. That leaves space for a couple more loanees to come in this window.

Predicted XI’s

Shrewsbury Town:

O’Leary

Pierre

Ebanks Landell

Beckles

Love

Norburn

Laurent

Edwards

Golbourne

Whalley

Udoh

Bristol City:

Bentley

Hunt

Moore

Wright

Rowe

Eliasson

Massengo

Walsh

Szmodics

Palmer

Diedhiou

Score Prediction: Bristol City 0-0 Shrewsbury Town

Sam Northwood

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/