Here at “Going Down The Oteley Road” we will be speaking to fans of our opposition throughout the season.

Ahead of our midweek League 1 game at home to Southend United, we had a chat with a Shrimpers fan.

What’s your name?

Shane Ketchley.

Where are you from?

Westcliffe On Sea.

How long have you supported Southend?

18 years.

Who is your favourite ever Southend player?

My favourite ever player is Adam Barrett, a natural leader on the pitch and always wore the shirt with pride and battled for the full 90 minutes every game. The very type of player and leader we are desperately missing this season.

Who is your favourite ever Southend manager?

My favourite ever manager is Steve Tilson, guided us to 2 consecutive promotions to the Championship as well as two cup finals and that memorable night against Manchester United.

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

In my opinion the players to watch out for on current form would be Humphrys and Bwomono, both players have been our stand out performers so far this season. Humphrys really puts himself about gives his all for the cause and has really found his goal scoring touch and as for Bwomono his energy down the right hand side gives us a dangerous option going forward as well as really improving on the defensive side of his game, a young player who will go on to really big things. Also a special mention to Simon Cox who on his day can be a real game changer.

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

To say where I think we will finish this season is a tough question, it depends on the appointment of a new manager as I feel under the correct management we have the quality in the squad to finish mid table although with the start we have had I would settle for 20th at the moment.

What do you know about Shrewsbury Town?

I know Shrewsbury went through a tough period and fell out the Football League but since the promotion back to the Football League they have had a successful period and nearly managed to to gain promotion to the Championship two seasons ago, although last season and this season so far like ourselves have found it a lot tougher.

What do you think the score will be?

I’m hoping after finally getting our first league point of the season against Fleetwood on Saturday we can use that to push on, although Shrewsbury is a tough place to go especially on a Tuesday night so I am going to go with a 2-2 draw.

Big thanks to Shane, hope you enjoy the game.

Daz Carding

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

Sam Northwood previews tomorrow’s home League 1 game against Southend United.

Following on from Saturdays point at Wimbledon, Town host Southend United who currently are managerless after the sacking of Kevin Bond.

Last time the two clubs met was in March with Town coming out 2-0 winners at Roots Hall with the goals coming from Fejiri Okenabirhie and Luke Waterfall.

Southend have started dreadful. Currently sat 22nd in the table with 1 point which was earned on Saturday at home to Fleetwood. They’re main dangerman is former Town striker Steve Humphrys who isn’t a favourite with Town fans after his tweets after the 2018 Play Off final defeat. He also broke Toto Nsiala’s cheekbone in the same season. With Kevin Bond getting sacked after losing every league game. Gary Waddock is currently they’re temporary manager. He is the bookies favourite to get the job permanently.

With Jason Cummings rescuing a point for Town at Wimbledon, we are all hoping he can earn us a win this time around. The former Forest striker made an instant impact off the bench on his debut. I still think it might be too early for Cummings to start the game which means it’ll be a toss up of Udoh, Morison or Whalley to partner Lang. Norburn might be rested as he only came back on Saturday from a lengthly lay off.

Score Prediction- Shrewsbury Town 2-1 Southend United

Predicted XI’s

Shrewsbury Town:

O’Leary

Pierre

Ebanks Landell

Williams

Love

Goss

Laurent

McCormick

Giles

Lang

Whalley

Southend United:

Oxley

Bwomono

Kiernan

Lennon

Blackman

Hutchinson

Mantom

Hamilton

McLaughlin

Humphrys

Cox

Sam Northwood

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

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Here at “Going Down The Oteley Road” we will be speaking to fans of our opposition throughout the season.

Ahead of our League 1 game against Southend United, we had a chat with a Shrimpers fan.

What’s your name?

Iain Foreman.

Where are you from?

Harlow.

How long have you supported Southend?

20 years.

Who is your favourite ever Southend player?

Freddy Eastwood for the crucial goals he scored and his attitude towards Southend. Current favourite is John White.

Who is your favourite ever Southend manager?

Phil Brown, many seasons watched with him in charge. The most memorable had to be winning promotion to League 1.

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

Stephen Humphrys, a good forward and has scored some great goals so far.

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

The squads capable of higher but mid table will be the best outcome.

What do you know about Shrewsbury Town?

A good side that play in blue and amber with a lion on their crest.

What do you think the score will be?

A close game, Southend to win 2 – 1.

Big thanks to Iain, hope you enjoy the game.

Daz Carding

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

Long time Town fan and a man who knows a lot about his Salop history, Adam Rodgers takes a look back at the history between Salop and tomorrow’s opponents Southend United.

Shrewsbury Town v Southend United, a brief history…….

This week we have our guests will be Southend United, a team whom we have locked horns with on numerous occasions. It seems that the two sides have spent most of the post war era sharing the same league table be it in the third or fourth tiers of English football. There was a period of time as a youngster when Town would seemingly play the Shrimpers in Division Three year in, year out without either ever getting promoted or relegated. They are so inseparable in fact that after a period of time spent together in league two, they were promoted together in 2015 so they could continue their twice yearly meetings in league one until the present day.

You can’t even really separate the sides in terms of results. Town have endured a mixed bag of results against their Essex rivals with 23 wins, 16 draws and 28 defeats. They are currently enjoying their best ever run of results against Southend, winning all of their last five matches home and away conceding just 1 goal in the process. Town will be hoping this fine record continues on Tuesday against a side who have only managed one solitary point so far this season. Surely it’s a must win game for Sam Ricketts’ men if they are to have realistic aspirations of a top half finish? Hopefully town will be a little more potent up front now with the new additions to the forward line and the Meadow faithful will have plenty to cheer.

Adam Rodgers

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

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This weeks Fan Of The Week is Dale Skitt.

Where are you from?

Born in Shrewsbury but grew up the other side of the Wrekin in Telford.

How long have you supported Shrewsbury?

Over 25 years and have had a season ticket for 20 years now.

What was the first game you went to?

Think it may have been against Man City in the old second division.

Who is your favourite Town player of all time?

I don’t really have a particular favourite but I’ve always liked wingers Sam Aiston and Austin Berkley are up there for their entertainment value, Lionel Ainsworth and Chris Humphrey were lighting quick. But I’ll go for Berkley, there was once a banner on the Riverside saying ‘Aussie is God’ and they weren’t wrong!

Who is your favourite Salop manager of all time?

Has to be Graham Turner really, he galvanised the club as things had gone a bit stale after Paul Simpson left. I loved his style of attacking football with proper wingers and eventually got that long awaited promotion back to the third tier.

Which do you prefer Gay Meadow or Montgomery Waters Meadow?

No contest, Gay Meadow. Walking down the Wyle Cop, seeing the floodlights light up the Salopian sky for a night game as you approach the ground and brown autumn leaves on the pitch. It just had something that no other football ground had for me. Montgomery Waters Meadow is getting better though.

What has been your favourite away game?

There’s been a few but probably the 7-1 win at Rochdale in 2001, just for the sheer unexpectedness of it!

What has been your favourite moment as a Shrewsbury Town fan?

Probably the promotion under Graham Turner in 2012, seeing a club legend return after 26 years away and getting us promoted again was special.

What is your favourite Salop kit?

I loved the 2005 ‘Ajax style’ kit, sponsored by Morris Lubricants, the likes of Neil Sorvel and Marc Stallard looked the part in it!

Where do you think we will finish this season?

My head says we will finish somewhere between 12th to 18th, my heart says Champions every time! (We can all dream).

Why do you love supporting Shrewsbury Town?

Proud to be a Shropshire lad supporting Shropshire’s premier football team.

Massive thanks to Dale for answering our questions and for being this weeks fan of the week. If you fancy becoming a fan of the week just drop us a message on either our Facebook page https://m.facebook.com/GoingDownTheOteleyRoad/ or on Twitter @GDTORsalop

Daz Carding

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

Back to normal business as a Shrewsbury Town towel was seen along with Salop fan Garry Ursin-Smith in Cala Blanca, Menorca in Spain.

Keep putting those Towels out!! Post them in any of the Shrewsbury Town Facebook groups or send them into us with on Twitter @GDTORsalop or on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GoingDownTheOteleyRoad/ and we will feature you on Where’s Your Towel At?…

Daz Carding

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

We take a look back at what happened over the past seven days in the wonderful world of Shrewsbury Town.

MONDAY – Ryan Giles’ screamer on the opening day against Pompey won the goal of the month for August.

TUESDAY – Salop were back in training to prepare for the Wimbledon game after a weekend off due to international call-ups.

WEDNESDAY – Work on the New look fanzone started to take shape.

THURSDAY – The club restarted on the work to spruce up the steelwork on the exterior of the stadium.

FRIDAY – Sam Ricketts spoke to the press about how Wimbledon are a hardworking team.

SATURDAY – Salop travelled to Kingsmeadow to take on Wimbledon, Ollie Norburn and Ro Shaun Williams returned from injury for Town and Lang started. Debutant Jason Cummings saved a point as the game ended 1-1.

Daz Carding

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

We spoke to some Salop fans to see what they thought of yesterday’s 1-1 draw against Wimbledon and we asked who the Man Of The Match was.

Gareth Davies – “No midfield just smashing the ball up to the strikers that’s not football”

Kevin Webb – “Poor first half, massive improvement second half..Great for Cummings to score on his debut. From there it was anyone’s game for the win..Laurent had a brilliant chance but shot wide. Great to have Norburn & Ro-Shaun back.”

Daz Davies – “Very poor first half, way too much focus on the long ball or ball over the top to two strikers with no height who were constantly pinned by big centre halves, having to create their own chances that just fizzled out. We looked tired early on and Wimbledon were quicker to the ball closing us down, 2nd half much different the introduction of Cummings made a huge difference, we seemed to pass the ball better on the ground defended well and hit them several times on the counter. Great to see Norburn complete an hour and Ro Shaun full 90. Cummings right man right place for his goal, he got the ball and had one thought. He will rip up League One on this evidence! Definitely a game of 2 halves.”

Phil Hindle – “Too defensive and no plan B.”

David Barkley – “Poor first half better second half, Laurent had good game”

Adrian Brunt – “Norburn for me”

Going Down The Oteley Road Man Of The Match – JOSH LAURENT

Congratulations to Josh, next up for Salop is Southend United on at home on Tuesday in the League.

Daz Carding

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

https://goingdowntheoteleyroad.home.blog/

We asked the Salopian super fan, Bizzy for his thoughts on our game against AFC Wimbledon.

“Great to catch up with some owd faces yesterday, one of the friendliest clubs you can visit brilliant days nonsense and jollops.”

“The game performance wise was defintley one of two half’s, we were nothing short of appaling first half and lucky to go in one down as midfield was non existent. Lots of high aimless balls going nowhere, I know Samuel is strict with his 3-5-2 vision but it was blatantly not working, teams are starting to suss us out. is it managerial naviety or a blantant stubborness not to change, reminded me of Askey at times in the first half, less said the better.”

“After a huge bollocking at half time Salop looked alot brighter, more hungry to get forward alot quicker with the runs and passing the ball on the deck. Quality wise the introduction of Cummings was superb he was head and shoulders above everyone on the pitch, so much energy and can play anywhere along the forward line very similar style to Holt, we have nailed ourselves a cracker. Midfield were better in the second half, pick of the bunch was Laurent but what was he doing trying to curl that one in when he shud have crossed, but one of them things. It was great to see big Ollie back but he looked bloody knackered going off hope we didn’t overwork him, another injury for Edwards sad but in was inevitable.”

“A fair point for both sides in the end, Sam needs to broaden his tactical horizons though. Far to predictable but well done in the second half though. We need a big performance Tuesday.”

“Love and 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 away draw against AFC Wimbledon.

Back to League action after 2 weeks the Shrews were away at Wimbledon, Sam Ricketts changed the team with new signing Callum Lang starting up top with Udoh, Ro Shaun back in the defence with Ebanks Landell and Pierre. Ollie Norburn was back as captain alongside Goss and Laurent

We started the game slowly, we looked a little tired and with our formation 3-5-2 again too many long balls or high channel balls giving both Lang and Udoh little to get to. Norburn had a strike that their keeper saved smartly. O’leary pulled off a brilliant save to deny a long range effort but the corner that came from it was headed in to our own net by Ebanks Landell. Wimbledon had their tails up and Love cleared off the line to deny them a 2nd

In the second half we had more intent as we played the ball about on the ground, the long balls made way for quick counter attacking football and we looked a threat but we needed something different. Jason Cummings came on for Udoh and straight away he had a drive that had the keeper all behind it, a minute later he was through only for defender to make a last ditch tackle to deny him. 10 minutes later Giles for once beat their full back and whipped a wicked ball in for Cummings to bang in and make it 1-1. Norburn made way for Walker and Lang came off for Morison, Morison nearly setting up a second from a corner and an overhead kick from Cummings straight at the goalie. We defended deep and another counter attack had Laurent through on the right from Walker’s pass only to shoot wide. It was a game of two halves with water breaks because of the warm weather, forgetting the first half we deserved maybe more from the game with our second half performance as we were rarely worried by Wimbledon.

Cummings looks a cracking player and will score the goals we badly need, we need to scrap the long ball unless we play with a target man as when we play it on the ground quick and fast we look so much better. We have a talented team that just need to gel, we need a settled team without too many changes and we will get better and the results will come.

My Man of The Match was Ollie Norburn, great to see him playing again as we have missed his composure in the middle. He was involved in most things good for The Shrews

Next Up for The Shrews are at home to Southend on Tuesday night.

Thanks to Corbin for his thoughts on the game against AFC Wimbledon.

Corbin Davies

“Going Down The Oteley Road”

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