ECHOSPORT chats to Shrewsbury Town fan Sam Northwood ahead of tomorrow’s game at the Greenhous Meadow.
Shrewsbury are currently just above the relegation zone but what have you made of this campaign?
“We had an awful start under Micky Mellon and many fans decided to turn against him, which resulted in him leaving for Tranmere.
“But Paul Hurst, who replaced Mellon, has produced a miracle and things continue looking upwards.
“We hope a win on Saturday and a Bury defeat will mathematically keep us safe.”
Do you think Shrewsbury will stay up?
“Yes. We’ve got better under Hurst and have a lot more fight so we should have no problem in the last two games.”
Why has this been a season of struggle for Shrewsbury?
“Due to the previous manager’s signings and tactics.
“We made some woeful signings in the summer, the majority of which aren’t first team regulars anymore.”
Shrewsbury fan - Sam Northwood
Gary Deegan was also a summer signing after leaving Southend. How has he done in his first season with Shrewsbury?
“Deegan is a solid midfielder who loves a tackle but he can also be a liability and some misplaced passes have cost us in games this season.
“But overall he was one of the best summer signings, albeit from a bad bunch.”
What Shrewsbury players will Southend need to keep an eye on?
“Since the arrival of Toto Nsiala in January, Shrews have a strong centre back including Mat Sadler who has proved his doubters wrong.
“He has been a revelation under Hurst and a contender for player of the season.
“Abu Ogogo - who recently extended his contract for another year after just coming back from a knee injury - has also been superb all season and I wouldn’t be surprised to see higher opposition trying to snap him up.”
What’s the predicted starting line-up?
“Leutwiler, Grimmer, Nsiala, Sadler, Brown, Ogogo, Yates, Whalley, Dodds, Rodman, Payne. Joe Riley (arm) and Tyler Roberts (hamstring) are the only unavailable players.”
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