Shropshire Star

John McMahon convinced Shrewsbury will survive

Former Shrewsbury Town assistant boss John McMahon faces his former club convinced they will stay in League One.

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Tranmere coach McMahon, who retains plenty of good memories of his three years as Town No 2 to Gary Peters and then Paul Simpson, is expecting a tough test as Shrewsbury head to Prenton Park tonight.

And although Town find themselves just four points clear of the relegation zone after improved results for some of the other clubs at the wrong end of the table, McMahon insists Shrewsbury have enough talent to steer clear of the bottom four.

"I have no hesitation saying Shrewsbury will stay up," said McMahon. "And, apart from when we play them, I hope they win every game."

It's an important match for both sides with Tranmere, having led the table for much of the season, now down to third after losing three of their last four matches.

"It's always a tough game against Shrewsbury," said McMahon. "That was shown in the game we played down there earlier in the season. Shrewsbury are a well-organised side with a lot of very good players.

"They try to play football and they're dangerous at set-plays. We're expecting a tough game and won't be taking anything for granted."

McMahon, who spent two years in charge of Liverpool's reserves after leaving Shrewsbury, added: "We've worked hard to get where we are and we can't take our foot off the gas.

"We're struggling a little bit for form at present, but the lads are showing a good attitude and working really hard."

McMahon, who was back at the Greenhous Meadow earlier this week to watch Tranmere reserves lose 4-0 in a Central League clash against Town, is not sure how much of an advantage the fixture being at Prenton Park would prove to Tranmere given some of their recent results.

But they should have the backing of a big crowd after slashing admission prices for both home and away fans to just £5.

"I don't know about being at home being an inspiration to us because our home record has not been fantastic," he said.

"But it's another game the lads should be looking forward to with the TV cameras there."

By Stuart Dunn

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