Uwe Rosler takes his Fleetwood Town side to top of the league Shrewsbury Town on Saturday, as the Cod Army look to continue their unbeaten run in October.
Shrews manager Paul Hurst has revitalised his side that struggled in Sky Bet League One last season, with them now leading the way this term. The Shropshire side are yet to lose this season after 14 games, and go into Saturday’s clash off the back of a 4-0 thrashing of Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night.
Surprise Package
Not many people would have predicted Shrewsbury to top Sky Bet League One at this stage of the season, but Hurst’s recruitment over the summer has proved potent. Seasoned non-league starlets including ex-Kidderminster striker Arthur Ghanoua have done the job for Shrewsbury who will look to extend their incredible run on Saturday.
Notable results in Shrewsbury’s unbeaten run include wins over promotion rival Wigan Athletic, a win away at Doncaster, and a point against Blackburn Rovers at the Montgomery Waters Meadow.
We’ve Met Before
If previous results against The Shrews are anything to go by, the omens are good for this weekend’s trip to Shropshire. Fleetwood and Shrewsbury have met six times in the past, and Rosler’s side are yet to lose.
Last season saw four meeting in six weeks between the two sides as the two league games sandwiched an FA Cup tie, which required a replay.
David Ball scored twice with one from Conor McLaughlin as Town ran out 3-0 winners in the league tie at Highbury, which was followed by a goalless draw in the FA Cup two weeks later in Shrewsbury.
The replay saw Town come from two goals down to win 3-2 as Devante Cole (2) and Ashley Hunter put Fleetwood through to the Second Round.
Cole was on the score sheet again in the return league fixture with his sole strike enough to win 1-0.
Ones To Watch
Shrewsbury’s fine form this season can in some part be put down to the prolific attacking duo of Norwich City loanee Carlton Morris and on loan Barnsley striker Stefan Payne, who have a combined total of 11 so far this season.
Morris has been with Norwich City since he was 11 and won the FA Youth Cup with the Canaries in 2013, after which he signed a professional contract. He was first loaned out to Oxford United, then York City, after which he had a successful time in Scotland at Hamilton Academicals, scoring eight times in the 2015-16 season. He had a spell at Rotherham last season before Paul Hurst snapped him up this summer.
Payne Is on loan from Championship side Barnsley but has spent most of his career in non-league football, where he made a name for himself at Dover Athletic three years ago. Payne was also prolific at AFC Hornchurch in the Isthmian League North Division. He’s scored 7 times for Shrewsbury this term, including rescuing a point against Walsall two weeks ago.
Midfielder Jon Nolan began his youth career with Everton in 2009, and entered professional football with Stockport County in 2011, with spells at Lincoln City and Wrexham. Nolan was part of the Grimsby Town side that won promotion to the Football League at Wembley after a play-off win over Forest Green Rovers. He scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Southend this season, which broke the club’s record for best ever start to a season after seven games.