Shrewsbury v Plymouth preview: Academy boss Eric Ramsay plans path into senior football

Ramsay has been right-hand man to Danny Coyne for the last fortnight as Town have won three from four games in the wake of John Askey’s sacking.

At the fledgling age of 27, Ramsay will again be prowling the Montgomery Waters Meadow touchline with Coyne tonight as Town host Plymouth in League One.

The Shrewsbury-born highly-rated coach joined Town from Swansea – his first professional role – where he worked closely with bosses Michael Laudrup and Garry Monk while with their under-18s and under-23s.

Ramsay, who lives across the mid-Wales border in Llanfyllin, has received rave reviews for his coaching methods and delivery while overseeing first-team duties.

The Loughborough University graduate sees himself as a coach, but has aspirations of making the grade at senior level.

“Yes, I think so. It’s always been an ambition of mine,” he said of working in senior football.

“This experience so far is definitely something that would not have changed that. It would only have strengthened that.

“It’s something that I’ve really enjoyed. Whether it’s now or in three, four or five years time – who knows?

“But it’s definitely something on my agenda.”

Ramsay, who adds his role as coach educator for FA Wales to his packed CV, continued: “At the moment my skill set is as a coach, 100 per cent, that’s what I bring to the table.

“It’s probably a natural pathway for a coach who chips away at it for a number of years to one day turn their hand to management.

“That’s probably a way off for me at the moment. I’ve certainly enjoyed watching Dan in action as a manager. I’ve been conscious of taking things when I’ve seen other managers in action at close quarters, noting what’s done well and what isn’t.”

Ramsay is actually one of Shrewsbury’s own. He was part of the club’s Centre of Excellence and then had spells with TNS and Newtown before moving away to study.

He quickly called time on a playing career after featuring in the Midland Alliance and Welsh Premier League and gave a fascinating account of stepping into a professional dressing room without a significant career.

Ramsay said: “If you haven’t got a playing background of any note then you’ve really got to do your homework to become a coach who works at a good level.

“First and foremost you’ve got to be a real student of the game.

“You’ve got to have a variety of experiences and bring something else to the table because you can’t bring an illustrious playing career of 500 league games.

“You’ve got to be able to bring something. There are numerous examples of non-playing coaches that have excelled.

“I guarantee that each of them will be a phenomenal coach or phenomenal at planning, analysing and preparing from a tactical point of view. There’ll be no poor coaches who are non ex-players in the game.

“It’s always something I’m conscious of. You’ve got to be the most capable person in the room if you’re in the coaches’ room and you haven’t been a player.”

Ramsay faces a Pilgrims side tonight who have arrested their early slide and have won three of their last five league outings.

Likely line-up:

Subs: Coleman, Bolton, Sears, Colkett, Eisa, Gilliead, John-Lewis.

Plymouth: Macey, Moore, Smith-Brown, Songo’o, Canavan, Fox, Sarcevic, Ness, Grant, Lameiras, Ladapo.

The opposition: Pilgrims showing signs of life after woeful start

Shrewsbury Town were the catalyst to Plymouth’s superb turnaround last season.

The Pilgrims, under Derek Adams, were heading one way this time last season – towards League Two.

Paul Hurst’s side went to Home Park last year with the hosts winless in 10 league games – a run consisting of eight defeats – and they were firmly rooted to the bottom.

But Plymouth were inspired that day and led through their talented talisman Graham Carey’s fine strike.

Salop stole a point through Shaun Whalley’s late goal, but the result inspired Argyle on to a season-changing run.

They went on a streak of two defeats in 16 and, by the turn of the year, Plymouth had lifted themselves to mid-table and clear of any drop zone worries.

The excellent form continued, including a super win at Shrewsbury – which hampered Town’s charge for automatic promotion – and, sensationally, Adams’ men looked like an outside bet for the play-offs.

It didn’t quite happen, but the Pilgrims’ Scottish chief won plaudits for his rescue act and the club were hailed for not pulling the trigger.

There was much change over the summer with 11 new signings in total – less than Shrewsbury’s makeover, but still significant change.

Things did not click early on, leading fans to feel Plymouth may flirt with relegation fears again.

Argyle didn’t win in League One until October 6 this season, by which time Adams was under mounting pressure.

But they have improved since and, despite just four wins from 19 games, can climb out of the bottom four with a win at Montgomery Waters Meadow tonight.

Key to their resurgence has been former Town loanee Freddie Ladapo, who has 10 goals in all competitions.

Plymouth have won three of their last five league games as well as securing FA Cup progression, which suggests some form has been found.

But their away form is patchy. Almost the same XI won 4-1 at Scunthorpe before a 5-1 thrashing at Luton. It is difficult to predict which travelling Pilgrims outfit will turn up against Danny Coyne’s Town.

Carey was serving a one-match ban during Saturday’s 2-1 win against Fleetwood – where Ladapo scored twice – and faces a fight to win back a first-team place.

The boss says:

Derek Adams

We need to improve away from home. We probably have not had a team selection that has been consistent.

Memory lane:

Goals from Nigel Jemson (two), Mickey Brown and an own goal helped Town to a handsome 4-1 Division Three win over Plymouth in September 2000.

Key man:

Fejiri Okenabirhie

Seems to be the go-to man now. A goal and assist at Wycombe, where he was the bright spark. The striker is in good form.

Danger man:

Freddie Ladapo

The rangy centre-forward, remembered for his dancing celebrations as a Town player two seasons ago, is enjoying a fine season.

He has 10 goals in 22 outings for the Pilgrims, who were seriously struggling but have found their grove.

That is a goal every 169 minutes for the 25-year-old. A handful.