Joe Murphy previews Town's third-round FA Cup replay with Bristol City.
Shrewsbury Town welcome Bristol City to the Montgomery Waters Meadow this evening for an FA Cup third-round replay fixture.
The Robins visit Shropshire after Town held the Sky Bet Championship side to a 1-1 draw at Ashton Gate.
Town’s number one Joe Murphy is excited for the fixture and feels Town could have won the first tie away from home.
“We were preparing for this game right from the final whistle at Ashton Gate,” said the shot-stopper. “We are looking forward to it. It’s a different game and a distraction from the league.
“The lads enjoyed it down there. I said before the game that these are the types of places we want to be playing as a team. The draw came out and then you know who you could be playing.
“It would be massive for the Club but we have to get past a team who are very good and we will be doing everything we can to do that. They made about eight or nine changes but they are still a good side.
“It was a great test for us and Ashton Gate is the type of place you want to be playing. I think we did enough to win the game down there but we will have another go. Hopefully we can get the win that I think we deserved from the last game.
“You can see that we were on the same level. We have good footballers in this team and players that can play at that level. We want to go up against them again and get the result.”
Despite the big incentive on the line for both teams, Joe feels it’s important for Town to remain focused on the job at hand come game-day.
“It’s a great draw and people are talking about it. It’s great for the fans and can be great motivation,” said Joe. “We have to focus and we have Bristol City to think about. It’s great to think about who comes next if we get the result but we have to be focused.
“I personally really enjoyed the first tie. It was the first time I had played there since the stadium got done – it was impressive. We will go again and hopefully get the job done back at home. I’m 38 now and I can prepare for anything – I’ve done it for over 20 years now. Once my mind is on it, it’s just 90 minutes of football.
“The fans will be massive for us on the night. I don’t want to mention it again, but they know what the carrot is if we get the win. Another performance like we put in down there last week would be great.
“When you have a two or three-minute spell or you’re in their final third, it does ramp the fans up and that gets onto the pitch. The players hear that and react to it. The love of the FA Cup is all about the fans.”