Toto Nsiala after the 2-1 win away to Bristol Rovers
Defender Toto Nsiala heralded Shrewsbury Town’s fighting spirit following Salop’s 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
“It’s a great win,” he told the press. “It’s even better when you win in the last minute.
“To come to places like Bristol Rovers, where we got battered last season, and compete until the end and get the win – it just shows how far we’ve come.
“It’s been the case all season – having to fight for the winners – but we always fight until the end and that’s what we’re going to do for the rest of the season too.”
Nsiala headed home Town’s winner late on, following fine work from winger Alex Rodman down the left flank, and the centre-back was keen to praise his team-mates’ work, despite claiming the goal himself.
“A lot of people have said it’s Alex’s goal, but I know it’s mine,” Nsiala laughed.
“His work rate, to chase it down and then with the tackle, and his feet in the box, I’m very sorry to rob the goal off him really.
“It was probably going in, but you can’t take any chances so I’ve headed it in, and it can’t have been offside because I was on the same line that he was when he crossed it in.”
The defender also revealed how pleasing it has been to claim two wins from difficult away games at Portsmouth and Bristol Rovers.
“Portsmouth was one of the toughest games we’ve had in a while, and today as well, the crowd was really loud and got on your back,” he said.
“But we’ve got six points out of six, which is amazing, because we probably would have settled for four, but that’s just the way we’ve been working this season.
“We’re really thankful for the fans as well, I didn’t expect as many to come here as they have, so it was special to get the winner and celebrate with them.”
Salop now sit second in SkyBet League One, two points clear of Blackburn Rovers in third, who fell to defea against Plymouth on Saturday, who coincidentally are Town’s next opponents.
“I don’t really look at the table too much, as crazy as it sounds,” the former Hartlrpool man admitted. “We just set out to prove people wrong, a lot of people said we’d crumble at this stage, but that’s not the case.
“Plymouth are a good side, with players who can really cause you problems, so that’s going to be another tough game.
“So, we want to see the stadium filled as much as possible really, and it would be fantastic to see a lot of fans there supporting us.”