Shropshire Star

Shrewsbury Town's Abu Ogogo hoping for happy travels

Skipper Abu Ogogo wants Shrewsbury Town to be happy travellers again when they head to Charlton on Saturday.

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After wins in recent weeks at Portsmouth, Bristol Rovers and Fleetwood, Town will be chasing a fourth successive away victory in League One against the sixth-placed London club, writes Stuart Dunn.

Town’s run of home games without a league win was extended to four after Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Gillingham.

Ogogo gave Town the lead with his first goal since April 2016, but Mark Byrne fired a late equaliser to prevent Shrewsbury from reclaiming top spot from Blackburn Rovers.

“We keep suddenly winning away from home and we can’t at the minute win at home,” said Ogogo. “I don’t know why. We’ll keep on going. There’s 13 games left, we’ll keep plugging away.”

As for going to The Valley, the consistent midfielder stressed: “It’s a nice ground, big club. It’s going to be a tough game like every game in this league is, but it’s a game to look forward to. We’re doing well away from home at the minute so hopefully we can come back with three points.”

Town have yet to play Charlton this season – Karl Robinson’s side will visit the Meadow in April – and the Addicks are expected to include on-loan Crystal Palace winger Sullay Kaikai.

Ogogo well remembers playing alongside Kaikai during his successful loan spell with Shrewsbury in the 2015-16 season.

“He’s definitely a dangerman,” he said. “We have to try and find a way to keep him quiet.”

Ogogo insisted he is enjoying being part of a League One promotion race having been involved in battles to beat the drop in his two other seasons as a Shrewsbury player.

“I’m enjoying it a lot,” he said. “Obviously, the last two seasons the pressure was about staying up. This is a different type of pressure. No-one really expects us to be up there, so, yes, we’ve got nothing to lose.”

Ogogo continues to set high standards as skipper and he was pleased to bring his 22-month wait for a goal to an end with the opener against Gills in midweek.

“It was relief more than anything as it’s been ages since I’ve scored,” he said. “It felt a bit weird but I like the feeling.”

But Ogogo and his team mates were frustrated to be pegged back by an equaliser nine minutes from time.

“We conceded another poor goal again,” he reflected. “We should have won the game so, yes, disappointing.”