Bernard McNally column – Let’s pack in and get the Meadow rocking

After five away trips from their opening seven games in all competitions this season, the Shrewsbury fans return home this weekend with two Montgomery Waters Meadow games in three days.

Times when Town have been doing this well have been few and far between, but this might be the start of a great time for Shrewsbury, to move them forward and get the crowds coming with excitement.

If visitors Wigan, who were gracing the top flight and FA Cup final in the not too distant past, are bringing a sell-out away crowd then that’s fantastic and all goes towards a great atmosphere.

Southend are the visitors on Tuesday night and I know the fans and I myself are really looking forward to these two home games.

Saturday’s visit of Wigan is a different kettle of fish to what Town have faced so far.

You’re playing a side that, in all honesty, will probably be above you come the end of the season. But you just hope the confidence that’s been built up from winning games carries you through.

I know people say we’ve been winning against teams that were in and around us last season, but you can only beat what’s in front of you.

They’ll have confidence now and they may go into the clash thinking ‘we can go in and win this – why not?’ They believe in themselves. It’ll certainly be an interesting and very difficult clash.

Town fans have been a bit drained of that enthusiasm in the past years but things are starting to look up.

On the TV the pundits are sounding surprised that Shrewsbury Town are doing well. It’s great because fans are going to games and thinking ‘we could get a result today’.

There’s been a massive improvement compared to the last couple of years. Let’s face it, you’d rather be where we are than second from bottom. It’s a better life as a player when you’re at the top.

They’re doing exceptionally well. They’ve just got to keep their feet on the ground – it’s the boring old saying – don’t become big-headed, don’t think you’re better than what you are, keep churning out those results, keep the discipline and work rate.

But we’re happy to be smiling at the moment.

I saw Paul Hurst linked with the Northampton Town job last week but that’s part and parcel of doing well in football.

Paul is certainly stirring the water at the moment. There will be clubs that will look and say ‘crikey, little Shrewsbury are up there?’

It’s absolutely great when you’re playing to look at the table and see yourselves at the top. It does feel brilliant.