Shrewsbury Town aim to be away day stars
Captain Matt Richards today backed Shrewsbury Town to supplement their record-breaking home form by becoming happy travellers – as the club’s understudies prepared to take centre stage.
Town have gone 34 games unbeaten at home but now turn their attentions to life away from the Greenhous Meadow with trips to Stevenage and Notts County coming up on successive Saturdays.
And Richards is confident Town can prove a force to be reckoned with on the road, with the midfielder expecting to find opposition pitches in better condition after last season’s promotion.
“There will be hard games but I don’t see any reason why we can’t do well away from home,” said the 29-year-old.
“I think there will be a few better away pitches compared to last season and that should suit our game.
“We work hard on moving the ball around and trying to create chances by passing it well so hopefully we can unsettle a few teams.”
Richards believes the opening week has provided some encouraging pointers for Shrewsbury as they adjust to life in League One.
“It’s very hard to get an indication of where everyone is until about 15 games have gone,” added the midfielder.
“The early signs are that it’s going to be quite even and there are a lot of good squads.
“But there is no reason why we can’t be a force.”
Town’s reserves launched their Central League campaign this afternoon at home to Oldham.
Among the players in contention for a run-out were Joe Jacobson – who has been dislodged from the left-back berth by Rob Purdie – midfielder Asa Hall and fellow summer recruit Joe Anyon, who is back-up to goalkeeper Chris Weale.
Meanwhile, striker Tom Bradshaw has been named in the Wales squad to travel to the Czech Republic for an Under-21 UEFA qualifier on Monday, September 10.
Town team-mate Ryan Doble has been named on the standby list.