Manager preparing to face Phil Brown's side
Manager Micky Mellon is fully focused on Saturday’s trip to Southend United as Shrewsbury Town return to Sky Bet League 2 matters.Town head to Roots Hall buoyed by a brilliant 1-0 win over Championship side Norwich City in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night – and by the news they will host Premier League leaders Chelsea in the last-16.
But Micky is only thinking about the game at the weekend (3pm kick-off) as he looks to guide the Club to their first away victory in the league this season.
“We’re concentrating on Saturday now because it’s important that we keep our focus,” said Micky.
“We know that we’ve got to go down to a really difficult game down at Southend. We’ve watched them and they’re a very good side."
Phil Brown’s Shrimpers sit fourth in the League Two table after nine matches and have won their last three.
Micky is aware of the good form last season’s play-off semi-finalists are in, and wants Town to make sure they get the basics right first at Roots Hall on Saturday.
"They're very competitive and full of energy,” said Micky.
“They cover every blade of grass like you would expect from one of Phil Brown's sides.
"They'll be organised and they're on a decent run. You would expect that they're going to be one of the teams that will be up there at the end in the shakeup.
“We’ll go down there heeding all those warnings and making sure we match them right away. Before we can get the ball down and play, we’ve got to get the basics right first."
Micky expects opposite number Brown to have his side well prepared for the game.
The Southend boss was assistant to manager Sam Allardyce when Micky was at Blackpool.
“I know Phil really well and he’ll have been out doing his homework,” said Micky.
“I’m not surprised he was here (on Tuesday night) and he’ll know that, on our day, we’re a good team.”