Dave Edwards: FA Cup of joy gives Shrewsbury plenty of belief to build on

Coming into this game, we know how lucrative the FA Cup has been for Shrewsbury in recent years, but it was also important to get back to winning ways. Playing a team in the league below, a negative result really ramps the pressure up, too.

It was a big game and I feel Shrewsbury handled themselves really well and now they have an opportunity to have a cup run, although they face a tough ask against a good Notts County side.

If they can get through that and get a good tie in the third round, we know how lucrative it can be and it will go a long way to easing the money concerns and hopefully allow them to add to the squad in January.

I was really impressed with the performance and attitude of the players against Colchester. I like the way the manager set up the team, with a slight tweak in formation and seeing Tom Bayliss and Jordan Shipley supporting Dan Udoh, rather than having two up front.

After dominating the early stages and going a goal down against the run of play, it could easily have been a time to go under, but they definitely didn’t. They showed real character, didn’t change how they played and got back into the game with a really well-worked set piece.

This is an area they definitely have to produce more goals from. They scored a lot of set piece goals under Steve Cotterill and they have players in the squad to still go and do it.

From there, I thought Town were very comfortable. It was great for Shipley to get a terrific second goal. He showed why he’s been missed so much with his composure.

It’s a great run from the left channel, a clever run, and his first touch and finish showed some real class.

His versatility has been missed and it’s brilliant to have him back with his energy. A goal and an assist, and hopefully fully fit and ready to go again, it’s a big boost.

After his goal, the third goal was well-worked. Taylor Perry broke well from midfield and Bayliss showed his quality before the own goal. They deserved the 3-1 lead and despite the late Colchester goal, Shrewsbury were very comfortable.

The manager will be delighted and the players will be full of confidence, as they get back to league action tonight.

It’s a big ask against a very good Bolton team, but they have to take the confidence and belief from the FA Cup tie.

I watched Bolton three or four times last season doing commentary work and they play brilliant football.

They use the big clubs around them to recruit good young players and play some really good football.

But if Shrewsbury can set some traps for them and win the ball back, they are open and Shrewsbury will have a chance.

If Bolton get into their rhythm it could be a tiring night for Shrewsbury. It’s a difficult task but the home form has been decent and they need to use the home crowd to make it difficult for Bolton.

There’s no reason, like they did against Derby, that they can’t put on a big performance.