Marcus Braddock looks ahead to this evenings game at home against Gillingham
Last night was a busy night for fans of the top three teams in League One. Blackburn's fans watched their team win at home to Bury but most eyes were upon Wigan's excellent win against one of the best teams in the world. If other Shrewsbury Town fans are anything like this one, they will have been willing Bury and Wigan to get a result.
Bury were unable to resist Rovers which means that our short time at the top of the pile is at an end but we have a chance to go a point ahead if we can get the right result against a resurgent Gillingham. The Kent based club have lost just once in League One since December and that was against high-flying Wigan. In their last game they played Walsall at home and drew 0-0 and in their last away game they beat Northampton 2-1.
Top Scorers
Tom Eaves 13
Josh Parker 9
Assists
Lee Martin 5
Luke O'Neill 5
Clean Sheets
Eight. Four at home and four away.
Stats
Gillingham have failed to score eleven times this season but only twice since the start of December.
They've lost 38% of their away games, 5% above the league average.
The Gills start away games well with five goals scored in the first fifteen minutes of away games. They've conceded eight goals in the first fifteen minutes of the second half of away games this season.
Referee - Craig Hicks from Surrey. Games this season: 29. Yellow cards: 104. Red cards: 4.
Assistants: Gareth Mellor and Kevin Morris.
Fourth official: Abbas Khan.
Squad News
Gills captain Lee Martin is rated at 50/50 after missing out at the weekend.
Town have a bug going through the squad and this might affect who will make the final eleven.
Summary
Lots of factors coming into play tonight, we have a bug going around and haven't won at home in a while. Gillingham are in good form but may be missing their influential captain. They have great away form with some good scalps like Scunthorpe taken away from home. The way things have been going at home and with the sickness bug going around, I'd be happy enough with a draw but it would be nice to get back to winning ways at home.
COYB!!!