Sam Ricketts talks to Shrewsweb as Town return back to league action this weekend. Shrewsbury host mid-table Bristol Rovers who sit one place about Town with one extra point on the board.
Town haven't had a league game in a few weeks, the squad have managed to keep their winning momentum going after their success in their cup games. "The momentum is hard to get in football, positive momentum and we're in there at the minute, and we keep going. With cup competitions, you want to win and want to keep going and to progress. I'm delighted to get through in both competitions, and now it's back to the league."
"They're a hard-working team with some good players. They've got one of the stand out forwards since he signed with them in January. Clarke-Harris has scored a number of goals and some very impressive goals as well, and they have a mean defence as well." Sam talks about the threats that Bristol Rovers will be expected to bring to Montgomery Waters Meadow.
Rovers and Town share a point between them as Rovers are a place higher than Town. A mid-table clash could see Saturday's be a close game. "We're in that sort of stage now where a lot of teams are close to each other, and the top half of the league is tight, so every game there might not be a lot in them and then it's down to, whether it may be a little bit of quality or details that will decide these games."
As Town juggle The Emirates FA Cup, The Leasing.com Trophy and the league, Sam tells us about how his team approach each game as they come quick and fast. "We've prepared for every game exactly the same whether it be league, FA Cup or Leasing.com, so the preparation is no different, the team selection is no different, so we want to go in strong every game. Obviously, we will have to make changes due to internationals and injuries, but we've gone out to win every game, and then that helps to keep that winning momentum going."
Town's midfield has been providing many goals lately to ensure Town are the team on top. "It's good, and it's really positive. Dave Edwards coming in and arriving and scoring a Dave Edwards goal by tucking in a cross. It's what he's made a career on so to get him scoring a couple of goals it's nice, and obviously, all the other midfielders chipping in it means goals are coming from all areas, not just one player."
Tuesday evening, we saw the return of shot-stopper Max O'Leary as he was on the bench after a few weeks out due to an ankle injury. "It's been a good competition. Max, at the start of the season, has done very well but picked up a knock and had to miss out. Joe has come in and done exactly what you'd expect from him. A good player, a good pro. It's very positive and reassuring that you've got two keepers that are fighting for that number one. Max had a late fitness test to see whether he was available or not for the bench on Tuesday night and again we'll assess him now going into this weekends game and see where we are up to and decide off the back of that."
A few knocks were picked up from Tuesday night, and Sam said. "A few players won't be training today, one or two niggles picked up but hopefully nothing too bad. Hopefully more precautionary than anything, we'll assess over the next 24, 48 hours how they are."