Toto Nsiala: Spirit key to Shrewsbury Town’s rise
Toto Nsiala says the team bond created at Shrewsbury is a key contributor to their success.
The dominant defender showed his ability in the opposition box as his last-gasp header helped the high-fliers back into League One’s automatic promotion places.
The Congolese international shone at the heart of Paul Hurst’s defence, repelling everything that Bristol Rovers hoisted into Town’s box.
But the modest Nsiala was keen to stress the importance of his team-mates as Shrewsbury continue their unlikely charge at the top.
“It’s not just me,” he said. “It’s the understanding we’ve got around the squad. Every player that’s come in knows exactly what he’s doing.
“The understanding I’ve got with Sads (Mat Sadler), he’s obviously the talker – I get sick of listening to him sometimes – but it’s good to play with someone like him.
“And Bolts (James Bolton) too, everyone is doing well. We’ve got Ben (Godfrey) who literally does all of the work for me, the whole team, there is just a good bond.
“Every player is doing really well and I’m happy for them. There’s a lot of competition going on right now.
“But like you’ve seen, the subs that come on changed the game for us, Alex (Rodman) and Stef (Payne), I’m happy.”
On his countless clearances from inside the 18-yard box, Nsiala smiled: “Before the game I didn’t have this many scars on my forehead! A few stitches from this and last season. You get a big buzz off it when you get a block or a head on the ball.
“I really enjoy it. I can’t pass the ball so I might as well be good at something else!”
The 25-year-old former Everton youngster sent a rallying cry to Town fans ahead of Saturday’s visit of Plymouth.
“I’d like to see our home stadium filled up as much as possible and I want to hear our fans get us going,” he added.
“We go to Bristol Rovers and their fans are pretty loud. They get them going and it’d be fantastic if we get the same at our place.”
