Mat Sadler buzzing for Shrewsbury's new era with no hangover from last term
Mat Sadler is desperate for Jon Nolan and Toto Nsiala’s impending exits not to overshadow the start of a new era at Shrewsbury Town.
Town begin the John Askey era proper with tomorrow’s visit of Bradford City, who – with 15 signings and a new boss themselves – are also much-changed.
Excitement has been brewing among Town fans for the new campaign but this week’s news of Nolan and Nsiala’s transfer requests – amid interest from Ipswich, managed by Paul Hurst – has caused a stir.
Centre-half Sadler, who will find out today if he is Askey’s captain at Montgomery Waters Meadow for the forthcoming campaign, wants the transfer saga to blow over and be done sooner rather than later.
“For me it’s better that it happens now. I think we really suffered when Connor (Goldson) and (Ryan) Woodsy went, after the start of the season,” said Sadler.
“They’re not at training so it’s life after the guys anyway. We’re prepared with the group here with the massive game Saturday.
“Ultimately we don’t want that overshadowed. The big thing is the big game tomorrow. There should be a good buzz about the place with safe standing introduced for the first time.”
The defender, who is entering his fifth season in Shrewsbury blue and amber, continued: “A big, big game against Bradford, at home, and in a way let’s hope it’s a celebration.
“We had a great season last season and haven’t seen the fans properly since then.
“Come and support us. There’s still a good group of people desperate to achieve like last season.”
Askey is the fourth permanent manager Sadler has worked under in Shropshire but the prospect of an exciting new era is not lost on the 33-year-old.
He added: “It’s probably quite good that it does feel like a new era, a completely different set-up.
“Namely because if there had been that hangover from last season it wouldn’t have been good for anybody. It very much feels like a changing of the guard.
“Slowly but surely through this good pre-season the messages have been getting across.
“It’s been methodically done. He didn’t want to reinvent the wheel straight away. We’re very much aware of what needs to be done and the standards to be met.”
Midfielder Sam Jones joins Nolan and Nsiala as an absentee for tomorrow’s Meadow clash against Michael Collins’ Bantams. He has an injury that should only see him out for days, according to Askey.
But the boss himself will also be absent from the usual managerial position in the dugout.
Eight minutes before the end of a a 3-2 victory at Woking on March 30, with his side 2-1 up, Askey kicked a puddle and soaked fourth official James Durkin at the Kingfield Stadium.
That charge of improper conduct was one of three he was subject of in the officials’ report from the game, alongside abusive/insulting words and further improper conduct with a match steward.
Askey is not allowed in the dugout for Saturday’s clash with Bradford or the trip to Charlton a week later. It appears his first proper taste of the Montgomery Waters Meadow technical area will be the Carabao Cup visit of Burton Albion on August 14.
