Scunthorpe United v Shrewsbury Town preview: John Filan has seen Town improve by the day

Even while Town remained winless on a nine-match run, Askey’s faith that things were turning never wavered and his belief to let his players roam free never lessened.

Now Australian Filan, assistant manager at Montgomery Waters Meadow, is fully focused on building back-to-back victories at Scunthorpe tomorrow after Askey’s men broke their duck against Southend.

Shrewsbury’s players have been open about Askey offering them ‘freedom’ while they play in his expansive style.

And Filan praised the Town boss for sticking to his guns and his core principles.

He said: “He’s been strong in his beliefs and knows what he wants, how he wants to play and what he wants to do.

“He’s a good football man, he could see the lads were bringing it on. He’s been patient in that regard.

“His style of management is giving the players decisions on the park. We all knew the win was coming. We were just frustrated because certain elements, or possibly decisions late on, went against us.”

Former Australia international goalkeeper Filan, whose time playing in England was best remembered in a six-year spell with Wigan, explains how it was apparent in training at Sundorne Castle that Askey’s way of allowing players to express themselves was bedding in.

He continued: “The manager has always had the point of view of giving the players options.

“You can’t play for them so you want people to make decisions on the ball. The lads are starting to gel as a group.

“The whole squad, I’m not just talking about the 11 that start games.

“You see it in training, the movement, people start understanding each other and that can be seen on the pitch on a Saturday.

“The manager wants to play football in the areas where it’s appropriate. The boys are delivering and our job is to push them more and more.”

Askey and Filan, still finding their feet as a Football League management team, pit their wits against one of League One’s most experienced campaigners in Stuart McCall tomorrow.

McCall spent roughly four years in charge at Bradford across his two spells, totalling 229 games.

He is now in at Glanford Park, where he replaced Nick Daws – a managerial casualty just five games into the season.

The Iron, three points ahead of Town, have not won at home yet this season.

Askey’s Shrews are in a good place fitness-wise and only have Abo Eisa (knee) out injured.

Filan added: “They’ve got an experienced manager there now and a decent squad so they’ll be a challenge for us, especially at their place.

“We need to focus on what we’re going to do.

“Every away game you want to get out the blocks fast, quieten the crowd, we can only focus on us because it’s the only thing we can affect.

“The away performances have been decent, the players probably think they haven’t got what they deserve. Let’s push on tomorrow and get another win.”

Pie and a pint

The Berkeley Hotel is popular with away fans. Situated on an island near Glanford Park. A pie at the stadium is one of the cheapest at £2.80.

Memory lane

It was only March, but Town’s last trip to Glanford Park was played in snow. Jon Nolan and Stefan Payne scored in a come-from-behind 2-1 success.

Key man

Greg Docherty

Was superb against Southend last week and has two goals in two from midfield. The Rangers loanee is beginning to really look the part.

Dangerman

Ike Ugbo

The 19-year-old England youth international has caught the eye in the three Iron appearances he has made sine joining on loan from Chelsea until January. Helped Stuart McCall to a first win with the winner at AFC Wimbledon last week. The former Barnsley and MK Dons loanee has lots of pace and trickery.

Predicted line-ups

Shrewsbury Town (4-3-3): Coleman; Emmanuel, Waterfall, Sadler (c), Beckles; Grant, Docherty, Norburn; Whalley, Angol, Gilliead.

Subs: Arnold (gk), Bolton, Barnett, Gnahoua, Laurent, John-Lewis, Amadi-Holloway.

Scunthorpe United (4-4-2): Alnwick; Perch, Goode, Burgess, Butroid, Colclough, Ojo (c), Lund, Morris; Ugbo, Novak.