Marcus Braddock previews Town's trip to the Mem.
This weekend Shrewsbury Town travel south to Bristol to play Rovers as the rain and wind continue to hammer the nation. Rovers have been having a similar run of results as we have, winning once in 16 games . They currently sit in 13th place with 42 points from 32 games, four points ahead of us having played exactly the same amount of games in Sky Bet League One. Their home form has been marginally better than away with six wins and six draws from 16 games at The Memorial Stadium. Their last home win was from their last home game against Blackpool, who they beat 2-1 with goals from Alfie Kilgour and Josh Ginnelly. Blackpool had scored first after two minutes but Rovers scored twice in the second half, after Blackpool defender Ben Henaghan was sent off in the 43rd minute.
Head to Head
We've played each-other 69 times since our first meeting in Division 3 (south) in August 1951. We drew 3-3 away in that first game and we've drawn fifteen times since then. Overall, Rovers have had the better set of results with 30 wins to our 19. Having said all of that, we've done well at Rovers in the last couple of seasons winning 2-1 in 2017/8 and drawing 1-1 last season.
Top Scorers
Jonson Clarke -Harris 11 (3)
Tyler Smith 3(2)
Assists
Liam Sercombe 4
Clean sheets
Six at home and three away.
Bristol Rovers Home stats
Rovers have scored an average of 1.3 goals and conceded 1.1 in Skybet League One this season.
Their best periods of the game in terms of goals are the 15 minutes before half time and full time, scoring 6 times in each period. They also concede more goals in the last 15 minutes of the game than any other period with five conceded.
They've failed to score in just over 30% of their home games.
Referee
Nicholas Kinseley from Essex. Games this season: 19. Yellow cards: 58. Red cards: 6.
Squad News
Shaun Whalley and Conor McAleny will both be missing because of longer term injuries, as is Ollie Norburn.
Summary
This is going to be an energy sapping game in what could be a torrential downpour if the forecast is anything to go by. Whichever team prevails, they'll have to dig deep and it may not be a great advert for the passing game. If you're off to the game, wrap up warm and dry and stay safe there and back.