Get all of the information you need ahead of Saturday's league clash
SHREWSBURY TOWN V GILLINGHAMGreenhous Meadow
Sky Bet League One
Saturday October 12
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Martin Allen will be without on-loan right back Michael Harriman who suffered a calf strain earlier in the week.
Charlie Lee has recovered from the injury that forced him off against MK Dons and is likely to deputise for the full back, as he did against Crawley in September, but a re-shuffle involving Leon Legge or Chris Whelpdale is also a possibility.
As for Shrewsbury they are likely to include new loan signing Cristian Lopez who signed an initial one month loan deal from Huddersfield on Wednesday.
The striker, who will offer a big physical presence being 6’1, could start the game but it remains to be seen if he is fit enough to do so.
It has also been confirmed that the hosts could field Liam McAlinden, another striker who has signed a three month loan deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Martin’s Thoughts:
Martin Allen spoke to the media on Thursday morning and hopes the players can make it three wins from three matches with another solid performance away from home.
He said: “We will need to prepare as best we can – I’m looking forward to going to their new stadium, Graham Turner is a good Manager and they have some dangerous players.
“We just prepare our players to play the best we can as we always do.
“We have worked on our defending, attacking and set plays, everyone knows their jobs.
“It will be a tough game, as always.”
Shrewsbury – The Gaffer:
Graham Turner is the man at the helm at Greenhous Meadow and has been in charge since June of 2010 after leaving Hereford, a club he managed for nearly 15 years across two spells.
He began his playing career at Wrexham in 1964 and was at the club for four years before joining Chester City.
He would make 218 league appearances before joining Shrewsbury for a reported £30,000 fee, his stint lasting 10 years. Five of those were as Player/Manager.
In build up to the game he said: “They have had two great wins beating MK Dons and Crewe. We had them watched earlier in the season, they have looked a decent team so we know what we are going to face.
“They have people who can throw the ball a long way so we need to deal with those things.”
Star Man – Tom Bradshaw:
The Shrews have only scored 11 goals in all competitions this season, but Tom Bradshaw has certainly caught the eye having netted five of them.
He has scored in his last two games and, at the age of 21, is a hot prospect for the future.
He signed from Aberystwyth Town in 2009 and is on course for a full international call up having featured for the Welsh U21 side on eight occasions, scoring once in the process.
One to Watch – Paul Parry:
The former Cardiff and Welsh International midfielder plays on the left side and is a constant threat from set pieces and out on the wing.
He is also a frequent goal scorer, and comes in to the game having scored his first goal of the season in the club’s 2-2 draw against Carlisle United last weekend.
He said: “We have held our own against the so called big teams and if we play to our abilities we are a match for anyone in this league and that will be no different Saturday.”
The Shrews – the season so far
Graham Turner’s side come in to the game 15th in Sky Bet League One (one win, six draws and three defeats), just one place above the Gills by virtue of a superior goal difference.
Just the one victory has been recorded to date in all competitions, that coming against Swindon at Greenhous Meadow on August 17 following a 2-0 scoreline.
In the cup competitions they were eliminated in the first round of the Carling Cup after a 3-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers, while in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy they also fell at the first hurdle after a 4-1 loss to Oldham Athletic.
Current Form:
Shrewsbury: DDLLD (3 points)
Gills: LLLWW (6 points)
Previous Results:
The last time the two clubs met was at Greenhous Meadow in January 2012 when Andy Hessenthaler’s side were defeated 2-0 following goals from Shane Cansdell-Sheriff and Mark Wright.
You can watch highlights of that game here, and a full match report can be read here.
In total the two teams have met on 55 occasions. Shrewsbury edge the head to head statistics with 21 wins, the Gills have 18 victories to their name and the other 16 games have resulted in a draw.
Odds:
Gills 1-0 – 9/1
Gills 2-0 – 16/1
Gills 2-1 – 10/1
Draw 0-0 – 10/1
Draw 1-1 – 11/2
Special Market – Danny Kedwell to score first and Gills win 2-1 – 45/1!
For other markets, and to subscribe and claim your free £10 bet go to www.skybet.com/gillingham
Officials:
Referee – Graham Salisbury
Assistants - Joe Clark and Darren Strain
Fourth Official - Andy Hendley