Doncaster vs Shrewsbury Town: Exciting winger Alex Gilliead urges Salop to attack

The flying wideman has made an eye-catching start to his Salop career and looks to be one of the more pacy prospects Town have had in their ranks for years.

The summer capture from Newcastle is pleased to find himself a regular in John Askey’s thoughts after making the big move away from his boyhood club.

Gilliead, 22, has plenty of League One experience following successful loans with Bradford and reckons the best plan for Askey’s men is to go to the Keepmoat Stadium and play to their strengths.

“For me personally, having played in the league, I feel like you’ve got to go and do what you know your team can do best and cause them problems,” said the County Durham-born star.

“If you go and say ‘we’ll sit off and defend’ then it could be a recipe for disaster. In this league anyone can beat anyone on their day.

“If we go there, focus on what we do best and put them under pressure we can cause problems.

“Doncaster have started well. They were beat on Saturday but have started well with a new manager in there.

“But we’ll not focus much on them. Obviously we’ll focus on what they’ve done well, but we’ll focus on ourselves.

“We know what we do best and we know what we can improve on. As long as we brush up on those things I’m sure we’ll do well.”

Grant McCann’s Doncaster, who began the season with two league wins before Saturday’s loss at Burton, play an exciting, open brand of football – one Askey is looking to morph at Town.

Gilliead and fellow winger Shaun Whalley could find some joy behind the raids of attacking Rovers full-back pair Niall Mason and Danny Andrew.

The rangy Gilliead’s searing pace, lengthy strides and confident dribbling have already become a feature of Askey’s new era at Montgomery Waters Meadow.

The winger, who signed a two-year deal, prides himself on making things happen and exciting supporters.

He has not scored yet – though has had his fair share of attempts on goal – and is determined to improve last season’s strike rate of just two goals.

But Gilliead went on to explain how he is bringing more to his end product, after admitting he was not a fan of shooting or crossing in times gone by. He said: “I like to get people off their seat. I like to run with the ball and the ball at my feet. I like dribbling.

“I like little interchanges of passes. Up until this season I felt I didn’t really like shooting and crossing but it’s something I’ve got to bring into my game.

“It’s something I feel will come. Everyone’s took well to me and been good with us, the fans, staff and players have been good with me and I’m grateful for that. I’m wanting to repay it and get a few goals.”

Gilliead had made more than 100 EFL appearances by the age of 22 but, moving away from his home city, wanted regular football as he aimed to kick-start his career.

“I’m playing 90 minutes. I’ve played three 90 minutes in a week and that’s what I’ve come here to do,” he said.

“To play, help the team and show people what I can do. We’re all a confident bunch, we all believe in each other.

“It’s just getting to know each other a bit better, how we play and forming the team cohesion and relationships so we know what each other are doing.”

Pie and a pint

The Lakeside Beefeater on Stadium Way is your best option. There is a Belle Vue bar in the stadium which can get busy. A pie costs £3.30.

Memory lane

Arthur Gnahoua netted a memorable last-minute winner as Town came from behind last season. Joe Riley scored the equaliser.

Key man

Luke Waterfall

A rock alongside Mat Sadler on Saturday, will need another big display for Town to register consecutive clean sheets.

Dangerman

Mallik Wilks

The 19-year-old attacker joined on loan as an unknown quantity from Leeds and has hit the ground running as a real fans’ entertainer. Has three goals in four games from a wide attacking position and loves to get a shot away after cutting in from the flanks. Could be a real handful for James Bolton and Ryan Haynes.

Predicted line-ups

Shrewsbury (4-3-3): Coleman; Bolton, Waterfall, Sadler (c), Haynes; Grant, Laurent, Docherty; Whalley, Amadi-Holloway, Gilliead.

Subs: Arnold (gk), Beckles, Norburn, Okenabirhie, Barnett, Angol, John-Lewis.

Doncaster (4-3-3): Marosi; Mason, Wright, Butler, Andrew; Whiteman, Rowe (c), Kane; Wilks, Coppinger, Marquis.