Shrewsbury skipper Abu Ogogo is looking to make 2018 the best yet

Ogogo and Shrewsbury Town will enter the new year fighting on three fronts, writes Lewis Cox.

Town go into tomorrow’s League One clash at MK Dons two points off top spot in the league, while they are eyeing a huge FA Cup date with West Ham and a Wembley march in the Checkatrade Trophy to launch an exciting 2018.

For Shrews’all-action skipper the last few weeks have proved a challenge. Ogogo has had to kick his heels in the stands while watching his team-mates lose against Bradford and Bury.

But he returned from a three-match ban to blow off the cobwebs in Tuesday’s Checkatrade progression at Port Vale and is now itching to go in League One.

“It’s been frustrating watching the boys, I’d rather be out there helping, so it’s nice to be back,” said the 28-year-old.

“It’s the most frustrating thing to be sitting in the stand and not being able to help.

“The league is the most important thing. We’ve lost three of the last four in the league but we’re still in the top two, two points behind Wigan – there’s no time to panic. We just need to make sure we get our heads back on it and start picking up points.

“MK Dons are a bit up and down. They like to pass the ball because the pitch is big, but that will suit our game.”

Ogogo is relishing a first chance to perform at 16th-placed MK Dons. He was sidelined with an injury when Town lost at Stadium mk in February.

With Town battling to stay at the top of League One and a couple of cup ties to savour, the midfield warrior feels he is in a good place.

“He (the manager) said he wanted to be going into the new year in the FA Cup and the Checkatrade Trophy,” added the ex-Arsenal youngster.

“We’ve managed that and we’re second in League One, two points off the top, you can’t ask for much more than that.

“Position-wise in the league and competitions-wise this has been the best situation I’ve been in personally since I’ve played football, so hopefully it can continue to the end of the season.

“I was happy with the Cup draw. I’m a Chelsea fan so I was hoping for Stamford Bridge or one of the big four Premier League away, but I’ll take West Ham at home.

“We’ll go out to win the game but if we draw it’ll be a nice little replay for fans to look forward to.

“Hopefully there’ll be a lot of cameras there, lots of people watching on TV and coming to the game. It’s good exposure.”

Ogogo’s red card in the memorable win at Rotherham three weeks ago was bittersweet. The captain was the most relieved man in Yorkshire when Stefan Payne popped up with a 94th-minute winner.

It was only his second red card in 102 Town outings, but the seventh of a nine-year career.

It will not change the midfielder’s combative style though.

“I felt like I let the boys down but there was no-one happier after the game,” added Ogogo.

“The boys have said that I’m guaranteed at least one red a year – it’s just the way I play.

“If you take that away then you take a big part of how I play. I like to be aggressive and put challenges in, obviously I’ll pick up the odd red or suspensions like that.

“No I wouldn’t think twice about going in again. As soon as you start over-thinking, that’s when you get injured. It’s a big part of my game.”