Marcus Braddock takes his look back and forward in this weekly update
It's been a bit of a disappointing week for Shrewsbury Town fans with defeat at Bury and at home to Bradford. It's quite difficult to take after the season we've had but every team has a bit of a rough spell. However, without two of our most influential players, against the best away team in the division, we could only be sunk by that freak own goal. It was particularly unfortunate for Toto Nsiala who looked gutted to have been involved in it but there wasn't much he could do about it. Credit to him, it only had a positive impact on his game as he looked to make amends. I'd be quite worried about the defeat if it wasn't for the nature of it, I thought we'd bounced back quite well from the defeat to Bury in midweek and were on balance, the better team. Restricting a free scoring away team like Bradford to just a few chances is no mean feat.
It was the first time I'd seen us lose a League game this season as I've not been away this season so far and I was surprised at just how pleased Bradford's support were. That sort of jubilation shows how the perception of Town has changed this season, beating Shrewsbury is something to savour.
At the start of the season I thought that Bradford, along with Wigan, Blackburn, Fleetwood and Portsmouth would be the particularly difficult games. We've played four of those five teams and have seven points out of a possible twelve, better than I would have anticipated at the start of the season. So although the week has had its disappointment’s, we are still looking good and it's a pretty good sign when you lose at home but your supporters applaud as you leave the pitch.
The coming weekend brings us a break from League One as we take on Morecambe at home in the second round of the FA Cup. Morecambe drew away at Carlisle on Saturday and currently sit in 21st position in League Two. It will be nice to see ex-Town midfielder Aaron Wildig who plays for Morecambe these days. He's been a regular first team player for the Shrimps since signing in 2015.
After a break for a couple of weeks, Shrewsbury Town Ladies were supposed to be back in action against Golden Hill Wanderers from Staffordshire but the game was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch. This weekend they should be back in action away against Leek Town Ladies.
The youth team also didn't play last weekend but are in action this weekend away to Morecambe.
Off the pitch, we have a Supporters Parliament meeting on Tuesday night, which will feature an update on the Safe Standing campaign.
I also read that there is a good offer on half season tickets, which start from New Years day. One could make an excellent Christmas or Birthday present for the Town supporter in your life or just a gift to yourself. This could be one of the most exciting and gratifying seasons ever for this football club and you could see it for a relatively small amount.
Shrewsbury Town in the Community need your help and are asking fans to donate tinned food to the Shrewsbury Ark. The Ark is a safe drop in centre for homeless and vulnerable people, providing basic things that most people take for granted A collection point will be at the football clubs main reception for the Morecambe game on 2nd December and the Blackpool Game on 16th December. Please give if you can, it's cold out there during the season of goodwill.
COYB!!!