Shrewsbury

[anne honemous]

I've been thinking whether or not Shrewsbury are really capable of maintaining their position and winning/challenging for promotion.

What struck me most is their goal difference of +15.

Now whilst there's no doubt that they're currently the envy of the division, they have won 11 of 15 matches - including a 4-0 hammering of Bristol Rovers last week.

That means that 9 of their 11 victories so far this season have only been by one goal.

When you think back to their game with us, it could quite easily have gone a different way. I did think they deserved to win it, however there's surely an element of luck about the manner in which they did it?

I think they'll need more than predominantly odd goal wins to achieve promotion and, when they go through a spell where things go against them, this might tell.

I suspect, like Tranmere did in the season we won League One, sooner or later their luck will run out and they'll slowly start to drop off the pace.

What does everyone else think?

[rtid88]

As I said at the time, every single one of their players was either taller, had an extra stone in weight of muscle or both. You don't win this league with a team full of small weak players (like us). I think a few decent acquisitions in January and I would be surprised if they didn't go on and get promotion.

[RedJ]

I think they're more like us under Saunders.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Like many teams over the years who come to the Keepmoat with a good record and we think they're nothing special.

The difference is consistency in doing the basics well without being spectacular. It's their application to the task and belief they are doing the right thing. They give themselves a better chance of not conceding goals and exploiting other teams mistakes.

It's a simple formula but one we're definitely lacking.

[NickDRFC]

As I said at the time, every single one of their players was either taller, had an extra stone in weight of muscle or both. You don't win this league with a team full of small weak players (like us). I think a few decent acquisitions in January and I would be surprised if they didn't go on and get promotion.

Are we really that small a side? Marquis, Butler, Wright, Baudry, Whiteman and Toffolo are all over 6 feet.

[rtid88]

Yeah but do any of them have any bulk?? My point was imo in that game it looked like men against boys at times. Were just too lightweight as a team.

[GazLaz]

Yeah but do any of them have any bulk?? My point was imo in that game it looked like men against boys at times. Were just too lightweight as a team.

We looked like men against boys last season when we were steamrollering teams. People just look for excuses when the sides not performing.

[roversdude]

I thought they were very well drilled and edged a game between 2 very evenly matched teams (at that time)

[southwestexile]

1-0 to the Arsenal never did them any harm and the Liverpool of the 80s were very similar

[the vicar]

I think they're more like us under Saunders.

no there not they are winning we was losing

[RedJ]

So he didn't get us to 2nd before he left for Wolves then? or do you get there by losing?

[Donnywolf]

1-0 to the Arsenal never did them any harm and the Liverpool of the 80s were very similar

... AND one of the oldest cliches / adages is that the mark of a successful Team (or Champions) is that they may play badly but still manage to win - be it 1-0 or more

[CantleyRed]

To be fair, last time we won this league we were pretty crap so it's hard to put your finger on what makes a winner.

[mushRTID]

As has been said above they appear to do the basics very well.

Would kill for that this year!!

[idler]

To be fair, last time we won this league we were pretty crap so it's hard to put your finger on what makes a winner.

It's easy, what makes a winner is regularly scoring at least one more than the opposition. It doesn't matter how you achieve it but it needs to become a habit.

[bobbymax]

Said just after they beat us that they'll drop like a stone once their bubble is burst. They looked very ordinary to me and I stick to the prognosis, despite their league position.

[RedJ]

Yeah and people said that about us all season the year we won the league.

[GazLaz]

Regarding Shrewsbury, it’s hard to judge having not watched every week but I don’t think they will last the season. I always look for real standout classy players when I’m looking for a good team. Players that look like they can play at the level above. They didn’t have anyone really. Payne had a good game but didn’t scream “championship player” to me.