Swindon v Shrewsbury - Match preview
Few can claim to have performed better in Shrewsbury Town colours than Josh Vela since the team returned from their Covid-19 outbreak.
Though Vela’s contribution may not be immediately obvious, his importance is certainly not underestimated within the Town camp, writes Lewis Cox.
Stand-in boss Aaron Wilbraham this week labelled Vela an ‘unsung hero’ of the side – though that is certainly not the case behind-closed-doors, where Town players value the midfielder’s relentless energy and believe he has been as consistent as anybody this season.
Vela, who turned 27 in December, took a little time to find his feet at Shrewsbury – though a global pandemic just weeks into his move hardly helped – but, barring a couple of suspensions, have been a regular under both Sam Ricketts and Steve Cotterill.
When Ricketts brought the former Bolton star from Hibernian on a three-year deal in January 2020 he promised one of the best midfielders in League One. It was big hype and Vela is now beginning to deliver on it.
He has struck up a close relationship in central midfield with captain Ollie Norburn and the pair aim to win the battle at Swindon tomorrow as 17th visits 19th in League One.
The north west duo – Vela is from Salford and Norburn from Bolton – have known each other since they were around 10 coming through the Trotters academy, though Norburn is one year senior. They were nicknamed the ‘Scallywags’ by boss Cotterill before he was taken ill.
And the pair are beginning to win games for Shrewsbury from dominating midfield battles. Cotterill held talks with the energetic Vela upon his appointment and confidence is now flowing. Vela is fine remaining the unsung hero – as long as results are right.
“As long as I’m in the team and doing OK – but we’re winning. The main thing for me is winning,” Vela said.
“The other night when we lost, I go home sulking for a couple of days until we’re back in training. I hate losing, but it’s part and parcel of football, isn’t it?”
The general consensus is that Vela looks fitter and sharper than he did earlier in the season. Cotterill even suggested just after Christmas that the midfielder looked slimmer.
Vela politely disagrees and says the turning of results, which have bred confidence and momentum, has highlighted the positives. “It always has been a big part of my game, getting about the pitch and pressing,” said the midfielder, who was sent off twice in his first 15 games for Town.
“I saw a couple of things on Twitter saying I wasn’t fit, under the old manager I was running more than I’m doing now.
“It’s people’s perceptions, but I was doing more running than I am at the minute.
“I’m not sure, everyone’s got their opinions. I do probably feel the best physical condition I’ve (ever) been in, this season.
“I’ve been going in the gym and stuff, but people have their opinions.
“If you are losing people pick on things and say things but when you’re winning everyone has confidence, and you’re the best player on the pitch.
“When you lose you’re the worst player in the world. You’ve got to take the ups and downs.”
A down for Vela, his red card at Peterborough in the 5-1 London Road hammering, was transformed into a high last weekend as he dominated for Town to beat the Posh 2-0. Now, with momentum on their side, Shrews’ midfield duo, who have competition from new boy David Davis to contend with, fear nobody.
He said: “I’ve said to Norbs before that I’d back us against a lot of midfields in this league and we’ve done it, we’ve played all of the top teams and come off probably better in those games in midfield.”
