Salop Social: Deserved praise for Shrewsbury Town's modest No.2

Chris Hudson

We need to talk about Aaron Wilbraham. If only because he seems too modest to talk about himself!

Every time we have won a game while he’s been overseeing things, he’s laid the credit firmly at the feet of his boss Steve Cotterill.

He was at it again on Tuesday evening – giving the plaudits for the 2-0 win at Rochdale to Cotterill for a team talk at half-time ‘that really spurred them on’.

What Cotterill has done from his sick bed in recent weeks has indeed been remarkable. His will to win and his appetite for work is there for all to see.

But I really don’t believe he could do it all on his own. He’s an impressive human being, but he’s still only mortal like the rest of us.

Wilbraham has overseen training (ably assisted by David Longwell), he’s been there for the players on a day-to-day basis, and he’s the man there on the sidelines during the games themselves.

A few short months ago he was still pondering whether he’d be able to continue his playing career at the age of 41. The call from Cotterill to join him at Shrewsbury came out of the blue, and he certainly wouldn’t have anticipated finding himself at the helm of the Town ship so quickly. Life comes at you fast.

The way he has handled himself has been extremely impressive. When Cotterill does return to work and take on press duties himself again, you’d like to think he has more than a few warm words for Wilbraham.

Steve Jones

It’s a relief to see Shrewsbury back to winning ways and looking like they will reach 50 points sooner rather than later.

With 15 matches left and only nine points needed for almost-guaranteed safety, there’s every chance their final league position will be comfortably clear of the relegation zone.

Attention will soon turn to next season, with the future of many of the current squad still unknown and unlikely to become clearer until 2020/21 is done and dusted.

No doubt Steve Cotterill will already have a pretty clear idea of who he wants to stick around and who isn’t in his plans, including those under contract.

The goalkeeping position may need attention this summer. Again.

Matija Šarkic’s injury presented Harry Burgoyne with an unexpected opportunity to stake another claim and, despite the clean sheet, there were more shaky moments.

Previously, errors have been his downfall and the reason why he lost the shirt not long after getting it.

After an impressive start, his career has stalled and he must grasp consistency to become a League One regular.

Nathan Rowden

I got butterflies in my stomach this week when I saw the EFL’s announcement of the start dates for next season at the Meadow.

Let’s face it, football has been pretty naff this season, no matter who you support. I’m not sure I like football all that much in its purest form. It’s about the drama which is often influenced by the crowd. It is 90 minutes of theatre in the ground, and we as fans have as big a role to play as anyone.

I’m sure I’m not alone in wanting this season to be put to bed, and hopefully by August the turnstiles will be rotating again, the beers will be flowing into glasses and blasts of club songs and expletives from the stands will once again generate the unique experience which is football. Just thinking about it has got me excited.

With a win at Rochdale midweek Shrewsbury halted a rotten run of form and I am becoming more certain with every passing week that we will be playing League One football.

Let’s have a confident finish to the season, get Mr Cotterill fit and well and back on the touchline and next season could be a rather exciting prospect.

I’ve already popped a ring around my calendar for those 2021/22 play-off dates.