Five talking points as Shrewsbury Town go five points clear at the top
Lewis Cox picks out five talking points as Shrewsbury Town continued their sparkling form to begin the season with a win over Oldham.
Resilience at the back
Paul Hurst’s men took nine points from their three League One games last week and a telling sign was their ability to dig in and get over the line.
Wigan, Southend and Oldham all had their moments on top but the league leaders coped admirably at the back.
Toto Nsiala, Mat Sadler and Shrewsbury’s full-backs have largely shown high concentration levels, spirited commitment and some fine blocks to get their side over the line.
Defending so well, there’s always a chance at the other end.
Stefan Payne is a natural marksman
Stefan Payne is proving to be some signing.
He has five goals in seven games, but his minutes-per-goal ratio is even better.
The striker has a goal every 51 minutes, the best of anyone in the top four divisions.
He showed real bravery to net at Oldham, lunging in and putting his body on the line.
Payne has the knack of just knowing where to be, he looked strong and far too good for his opponents before that – if only he could cut the injuries out and stay on for 90 minutes.
A winning habit
That’s four on the bounce now for Town and, of all the habits in football, a winning one is the best of the lot.
Seven wins from eight in League One and Hurst’s side have a real taste for victory, and it’s a flavour that they would like to experience for a while yet.
Things go for you while you’re winning games, that little slice of luck is going for Shrews, but you earn your own luck.
To be winning tight games, without being at your best and blowing opposition away, is another encouraging aspect.
Nolan the dictator
Just how good is this lad?
Been a pleasure to watch since joining this summer and in the last week has added goals to his game.
Two match-winners in two games – both similarly well taken – have earned his side six points.
For much of the first half at Oldham the red-haired midfield man was playing on a different level to those trying to take the ball off him.
The ex-Grimsby player also had a hand in Town’s first goal.
He always has time on the ball and has glorious close control.
Ten games in
A common phrase is to ‘judge a team and look at the table after 10 games’.
Those that were pleased with the team’s performance three games in will be pinching themselves now.
Ten matches in is a helpful yard-stick to judge where your squad is and their points difference from certain milestones.
Shrewsbury are already almost halfway to the popular 50-point mark, that usually staves off relegation.
A seven-point play-off margin and 16 points to the drop zone makes for good reading.
