So we have asked you on twitter if you wanted to take part in our blog giving us your prediction for the season ahead. We have Alex Yale and Keith Barrow giving us their thoughts ahead of the season.
When did you start following town and why?
Alex; My name is Alex Yale I’m 15 and I live in Wem. I started following the tow when i was 4 years old. My dad decided to take me to a couple of matches at an early age because he wanted to get me into football and my dad has also been following the town for 33 years and ever since i have been going down to the meadow every week with my dad and some mates and try to go to as many away games as possible.
Keith; I’m 31, lived in Shrewsbury since I was 7 and I started supporting the Shrews because my Dad started taking me to games when I was small. Living all over the country means I had to make it to games when I could, including some dire encounters at Darlington, Lincoln, Torquay, Macclesfield, and MK Dons, but now I’m back in Shrews I’m a season ticket holder and am REALLY looking forward to a season in League 1!
2; So after a brilliant end to league 2 which ended up in seeing town promoted, what have you thought about the ins and outs that have happened during the close season?
Alex; I am happy with the ins and outs, turner has made some great signings with Asa Hall, Paul Parry and Luke Summerfield looks quality in the midfield. i think Marvin Morgan looks in great shape for the start of next season! i was a bit gutted when Chris Neal took his time deciding to stay with us or to move on, towards the end of last season he looked like a grat keeper! not to sure what to think of Chris Weale, in pre season he has made a couple of mistakes especially when long shots come at him he seems to struggle a lot.
Keith; I think we were all concerned to see all the contract offers turned down (especially the likes of Wroe, Sheriff, and Collins). Especially as it’s always difficult at this level to get in ‘name’ players, especially when we’re one of the few clubs being sensible with our wages. I think GT has done really well to get together a squad that looks like it can be a threat in League 1, especially worth a mention is the loan signing of Hector.
Alex was gutted to see Chris Neal go
3; Who do you think will be our main player this season?
Alex; I think our main player this season will be Matt Richards who has great vision, and a real strong force in the midfield and can also score a few too. Also Grandison will probably be another main player this season with his solid defense presence and his willing to go forward when he has the ball.
Keith; Hector will be massive this season, he looks like a more refined Grandison and should help ease some of the concerns about Sheriff leaving. I also think Richards will continue where he left off and start running things from midfield even more.
4; Would you like to see any more faces come in and if so who?
Alex; I would like to see an experienced striker come in to go up front with either Morgan or Gornell. Bradshaw looks in great shape also. Not sure who that striker would be there was talks of Darius Vassell but rumours have died down.
Keith; We still need another striker as we only have two proven goalscorers out of all our forwards., but to name someone would be tough. I’ll leave that bit to GT.
Alex Yale “Darius Vassell rumoured with move to Salop died down
5; Now with town being the new boys in league 1 what are you expectations after seeing the new look team?
Alex; I think town will have a good start to league 1, and we have a strong enough squad to cope with the new challenge of league 1.
Keith; I expect us to stay up, but I don’t expect it to be comfortable. I’d love us to upset a few teams but at the end of the season I’d be happy anywhere from 20th upwards.
6; Who do you think will get relegated from league 1?
Alex; I am not to sure who will go down but I’m thinking Walsall, Crewe, and maybe Bury.
Keith; With clubs like Crawley and Swindon coming up and splashing the cash that puts the pressure on some of the more established League 1 sides. Teams like Oldham, Walsall, Hartlepool, and Yeovil will have to pull out all the stops to stay up.
Keith at Wembley stadium
7; And promoted?
Alex; Sheffield United, Coventry and MK Dons maybe in the play offs.
Keith; So many big clubs to choose from! Sheffield United and Preston will expect to be up there, Swindon are spending like money’s going out of fashion so they will want to see a return on their investment. Doncaster have a good set-up and I expect them to be a dark horse too.
Keith expects Doncaster to be dark horses in promotion chase
8; What game are you looking forward to the most both home and away?
Alex Home Coventry because they have a great away support.
Away I am looking forward to the first game of season away to Sheffield United!
Keith; Home and away, its teams like Sheff Utd, Leeds, Preston, Portsmouth… clubs with history, a real fanbase, and should draw in a decent travelling crowd.
Both looking forward to visiting Bramall Lane
9; Final League
Position
Alex, Top 10 but either way im a proud salopian and its going to be a great season following the town.
Keith 18th
Thanks go to Alex and Keith for taking part and we hope to see you backing the town.
Remember you can get in touch with us with your thoughts in the usual ways
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