Comment: Plenty of fuel left in Shrewsbury's tank yet – and now everyone believes again
This was Shrewsbury Town back near their best and now there must be every confidence that Paul Hurst’s men can go and get the job done at home tomorrow.
Town’s deserved semi-final first-leg success in Charlton’s back garden was, yet again, two fingers up to the naysayers who believed this team’s race was run.
On the contrary, Town’s build-up, preparation and game plan were executed perfectly and they had too much for the hosts – despite Lee Bowyer’s odd comments after the game that the Addicks are the ‘better side’.
Now everybody has to believe again. The players’ belief didn’t wane, they were confident that despite the post-Wembley dip and top two disappointment there was enough in the tank.
Supporters still dared to dream but some, perhaps understandably, were scared of investing too many emotions into a play-off charge. Wary of heartbreak.
That first leg at The Valley was the second time Town have put in a fine display at Athletic’s south east London home this season. It should reinstall full confidence in the fanbase ahead of tomorrow’s return leg – where Montgomery Waters Meadow should be packed to the rafters and absolutely bouncing.
All the hallmarks of this superb Hurst side were there in abundance on Thursday evening. Energy, front-foot, high intensity and confidence on the ball. The break in recent weeks worked wonders.
Some feared that most, if not all, of those traits had drained out of the squad. How wrong they were.
Indeed, Hurst’s resilient side also put to bed a defensive record that read just one clean sheet in nine.
Going forward, the final ball or moment was lacking for the most part. Until Jon Nolan wrote himself into blue and amber history with THAT hit. If Town see the tie through then the ginger magician will not need to buy a pint in Shropshire for the rest of his days.
Charlton were the better side for 20 minutes on Thursday but Town found their feet and looked every bit a side with the ambition to go all the way to another visit to the capital on May 27.
But that is some way away yet – 90 minutes away, Town fans hope. There is still a big job left to do at the Meadow tomorrow.
It’s been some time since the place was packed out but Town have played in front of rowdy atmospheres in the last three games and, make no mistake about it, this will be a fourth.
The noise against Blackpool, MK Dons and Charlton will increase tenfold in the tight Oteley Road surroundings tomorrow. It’s a tantalising prospect, some setting.
The home crowd can make the different in urging Hurst’s men over the line.
It promises to be a fascinating tactical clash too. The Town chief insisted his side will not sit back. They won’t defend a lead for 90 minutes.
The Addicks have to go for it. That suits Town. Shrewsbury can defend astutely as they did two days ago, soak up pressure when they have to and then buzz forward for the killer sting.
It will suit Town. Hurst’s men have shown umpteen times this season they can be ruthless on the counter-attack. Indeed, Nolan was not far away from rounding off a stunning break in the first half on Thursday night.
The bookies – and just about most neutrals – made Town the outsiders for these play-offs. The underdog card, used so superbly this season, did the trick again.
Now Hurst’s second-leg team talk has been dished out by Bowyer who insisted after the final whistle on Thursday that his team are the better side.
This Shrewsbury team have shown they are not ready to be written off. Now fans should believe. Now they know there is plenty left in the tank.
