Louis Dodds thinks Shrewsbury Town need to start playing ugly
Shrewsbury Town need to start being ugly – according to the man who won a 'best looking' prize at Vale Park for five years.
Port Vale are the visitors to Greenhous Meadow tomorrow and the individual anticipating the game more than most is former Vale hero Louis Dodds,
The Town No.10 spent eight memorable years in Staffordshire, making more than 300 appearances and scoring more than 50 goals.
He also retained the 'Shirt Off My Back' award for five consecutive years, citing his good looks as the winning formula.
But ahead of re-uniting with old friends for the first time, Dodds – who joined from Vale alongside Ryan McGivern and AJ Leitch-Smith – has called on his new team-mates to do the ugly side of football in order to stop the rot.
"I think we need to really think about the spirit and fight because on paper we've got some great players and sometimes when you're down the bottom you need to start being ugly and play percentages rather than playing nice football," said the Town midfielder.
"You can play all the football you want and be done 1-0. It counts for nothing. We need to pull a few punches ourselves and not be so pretty."
Town's attitude was questioned by boss Paul Hurst after the 3-0 defeat at Fleetwood on Tuesday night, where members of the Shrewsbury team appeared to down tools as the Cod Army ran wild.
"Hopefully not too many heads dropped (at Fleetwood), I think it was just disappointment," said Dodds. "You can't always go out and get the results you want.
"It's when it happens in three, four and five games that it'll be a problem. We've lost two now so we need to stop the rot and go on another little run again."
On landing Vale's peculiarly-named award, Dodds laughed: "I thought it was when you win player of the match and they voted and won the player's shirt.
"But it got turned into the best looking – I interpreted it as that anyway. I won it five years in a row and then they stopped it because I'd have just won again obviously.
"I don't think there's too much competition (here)."
Dodds was a huge favourite at Vale Park and singled out promotion in 2013 – where the Valiants finished third in League Two – as a standout memory.
He still lives in the area with his family, and claimed too much respect to celebrate should he get on the scoresheet.
Understandably, that understated reaction may be tested to its limits should he find a late winner.
"Eight years is a good stint for anyone and for me personally it was nice to try something different before I retire," said Dodds.
"I loved every minute of it. There'll be people I'm looking forward to seeing after the game but hopefully I'll do a job on them.
"I told my agent not to just sign again, that we'll see what else is out there and Shrewsbury popped up and it was the right time for me.
"I could've gone into any office at the club and had a conversation with anyone there.
"Sometimes that can work against you, maybe you do get complacent and it becomes a bit monotonous.
"I wouldn't celebrate, I've got too much respect for them. Besides I live in the area and I might get a few pelters down the milk aisle at Tesco if I do!"
