Shropshire Star

Greg Docherty: Shrewsbury Town are so close to first victory

Like many, Greg Docherty has been impressed with flashes of new-look Shrewsbury Town, but insists now is the time that results are needed.

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The on-loan Rangers man has caught the eye in John Askey’s midfield after two appearances for Town and is raring to go for his home league bow against familiar opposition tomorrow.

Docherty was part of Steven Gerrard’s midfield as Rangers lined up against Blackpool in a behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly north of the border.

So the 21-year-old has an inside track on the Seasiders and confessed that Shrewsbury are desperate to get the Askey era up and running and reward supporters for their backing.

“I played Blackpool in pre-season so I know they’re a physical side,” said energetic midfield man Docherty, who has already shown his willingness to get forward in his early outings as a Town player.

“I know a couple of the players from last season who were at Rangers as well.

“There are some good players in the team, some experienced players who have played at the top level, for example Jay Spearing. They’ll be well organised but we’re so close to getting it right.

“Tomorrow we’re desperate to make it happen.”

Askey’s men are still without a positive result after losing three from three of the new regime by the odd goal.

Glaswegian Docherty, who only joined his boyhood club in January from Hamilton, knows Town must get off the mark and not fall behind early on in League One.

He stressed wins are important psychologically for the players and that fans got something in return for their support. The Seasiders, who are under caretaker boss Terry McPhillips after seeing Gary Bowyer walk out just one game into the new season, have taken one point from their opening league games.

A 3-1 Carabao Cup success over Barnsley, however, will serve as Tangerine encouragement.

He added: “It has to be the first win. Now it really needs to start happening, sooner rather than later we need to find some results.

“We don’t want to be falling too far behind. But we need to remain calm, we will get it right and go on a run when it comes.

“But (we need to win) for our own mental state and the fans’ following has been great again. After the (Burton) game on Tuesday night you want to give them something to cheer about positively.

“They’ve been great so far with me and have helped all the new boys settle in. We want to give them something to celebrate.”

Docherty made the move ‘out of his comfort zone’, resisting offers from Scotland and other League One clubs, to join Shrewsbury and is determined to catch the eye in his first taste of the English game.

“I think Scottish football can get a bad name at times,” he said. “But I really think there’s some good players up there. As you’ve seen in the past, some boys from down here have gone up there, made a name for themselves and pushed on.

“It was purely coming down here to show people that I could play. In the future, if it comes to it, I might have to look for something permanent south of the border.

“I’ve always had in my mind that I might come down here. I’m testing the water just now and I’m enjoying it and feeling settled.”

Opposition (caretaker) boss

Terry McPhillips: "John Askey is a winning manager as he won the league last season and he’s been doing it a long time."

Opposition dangerman

Jay Spearing

Seems like he has been around for ages but, at just 29, still has the legs and undoubted quality at League One level. Former Liverpool and Bolton man Spearing made 35 outings in his debut season for the Seasiders last term and remains a midfielder that is happy to do the dirty work, allowing his team-mates to play.

Memory lane

Ryan Lowe’s third-minute winner handed Shrewsbury the Division Three spoils against Blackpool at Gay Meadow in April 2001.

Shrewsbury's key man

Shaun Whalley

Started the season in great form and is already up and running for goals. A real threat to the Seasiders.

Predicted line-ups:

Shrewsbury Town (4-3-3): Coleman; Beckles, Waterfall, Sadler, Haynes; Docherty, Laurent, Colkett; Whalley, Okenabirhie, Gilliead.

Subs: Kennedy, Hendrie, Grant, Loft, Angol, John-Lewis, Arnold (gk).

Blackpool (4-3-3): Howard, Turton, Tilt, O’Connor, Bunney, Spearing, Pritchard, Taylor, Dodoo, Delfouneso, Gnanduillet.