Next Saturday

[Mark S]

A big match for us next Saturday.

Today wasnt pretty, and I was nervous about it before hand, but I personally didnt feel we were in danger of losing it once we scored the second.

The reality is that we are actually within striking distance of the playoffs and while I think three of the four places are sewn up, the last one is still up for grabs. That is between us, Shrewsbury, Dagenham, Bradford, Chesterfield and Lincoln, I reckon.

Next Saturday sees us at Shrewsbury and if (and it is a big if) we win that, we will be in the mix.

We still have to play Darlington, Bradford, and Exeter who are above us as well as Shrewsbury. The Good Friday match will be a huge one and so could the Exeter away match! A few of those teams have to play each other as well.

While I do not have any expectations on a play off place, it is exciting that we are still in with a shout. The lads can only take it a game at a time and are doing a fantastic job. They fully deserve the plaudits they are getting and while it wasnt pretty today, the result was everything

Cant wait for next Saturday!

http://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/league.jsp?comp=4

[nobbyshrimp]

One of the hardest, if not THE hardest away game of the season as the Shrews are the in-form team at home! Before I get slated by saying 'in-form' team I am stressing AT HOME! They would be top of the league if they could address there away form. Away from home: played 19 but won only 1 Home record:played 19, won 14, drawn 2 - the best in the league
But overall last 8 games:

We are top of the league
http://itv.stats.football365.com/dom/ENG/D3/oform.html

[Christies Child]

At times today the lads looked knackered and who can blame them.

This coming weeks training / relaxation will be critical in view of next weeks game.

The play-offs are within sight BUT let's not expect too much and put pressure on the lads. They've done brilliant since Stanley......

[RedRedWine1]

Saturday will be my first visit to Shrewsbury's "Pro-Star stadium" (Hate the sponsored naming of grounds, suppose I'll have to get used to it when our new stadium arrives), quite looking forward to it.

I went to the Gay Meadow three times (LDV, FA Trophy, Conf) and on each visit we were soundly beaten. Actually, I don't think we've ever scored a goal away at Shrewsbury, let alone get a point.

If we could somehow return from Salop with three points then the visit of the Bantams suddenly becomes interesting for both sides, and the unthinkable might just be on.

The play-offs are within sight BUT let's not expect too much and put pressure on the lads. They've done brilliant since Stanley......

I think we have been brilliant since November Neil. Ok we weren't quite as consistent at getting results as we have been of late, but we were playing some good football which gave me the confidence that we would stay up. If you look at the points gained since the 1st of November we would currently be sitting 2nd in the table, having only lost 4 games in 23. I wonder if the players and management know this? Take a bow Mr McIlroy.

[Burnley Shrimp]

Went to Shrewsbury last season and got stung at the turnstiles, £18 for me and £12 each for an 11 and 12 year old Add £5 to park the car and an expensive day out it was! Vowed not to be ripped off there this season by staying away.

HOWEVER have now noticed in yesterdays match magazine that Shrewsbury are advertising some decent pre paid ticket offers including family tickets which will cut the price to about half of last seasons cost. Add that to our current decent run and I'll be ringing Shrews this week to buy a family ticket.

This WILL be our biggest test for a while and whilst I can't be optimistic about a win, a draw would be great to keep the momentum going into the last 10 games! After that we would have to be looking at wins in a lot of the games to even sniff the play offs, which is a big ask, but who knows? Stranger things have happened!

[shrimper]

A big match for us next Saturday.

Today wasnt pretty, and I was nervous about it before hand, but I personally didnt feel we were in danger of losing it once we scored the second.

The reality is that we are actually within striking distance of the playoffs and while I think three of the four places are sewn up, the last one is still up for grabs. That is between us, Shrewsbury, Dagenham, Bradford, Chesterfield and Lincoln, I reckon.

Next Saturday sees us at Shrewsbury and if (and it is a big if) we win that, we will be in the mix.

We still have to play Darlington, Bradford, and Exeter who are above us as well as Shrewsbury. The Good Friday match will be a huge one and so could the Exeter away match! A few of those teams have to play each other as well.

While I do not have any expectations on a play off place, it is exciting that we are still in with a shout. The lads can only take it a game at a time and are doing a fantastic job. They fully deserve the plaudits they are getting and while it wasnt pretty today, the result was everything

Cant wait for next Saturday!

http://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/league.jsp?comp=4

Mmmmmm?! That's mighty purty talk fer a city boy.

"Zeke, I think we've got us a lively one, prepare the back parlour!"

[nobbyshrimp]

Buy your tickets in advance and they post them free without CC fees thus saving a few quid. Don't pay the ridiclous car parking fees Enter Shrewsbury from the Hereford side (After going round the by-pass towards North Wales/Hereford/Leominster and turning right at Dobbies Garden Centre on the roundabout). Ignore ALL football parking signs Park free at Meole Brace Park+Ride and walk down the small road about 10 minutes, then walk behind the Sainsbury store itself and not infront as there is a small tunnel going under the railway and a path to the ground only! Good bit of advice there Or risk parking at Sainsbury/Focus/Comet etc etc and walking behind Focus and up the road to the main stadium gates. Personally: park as close to Sainsburys as you can or the park + ride further up the road and use the small tunnel under the railway. Saves alot of time and is for stadium access only

[Howe Magic]

Really looking forward to the match next week as never been to the pro star stadium - more pressure on the shrews than there is on us which could play into our hands...i will be over the moon with a draw and i predict 1 1 next week with 200 from the seaside making the journey

[The Bay]

Buy your tickets in advance and they post them free without CC fees thus saving a few quid. Don't pay the ridiclous car parking fees Enter Shrewsbury from the Hereford side (After going round the by-pass towards North Wales/Hereford/Leominster and turning right at Dobbies Garden Centre on the roundabout). Ignore ALL football parking signs Park free at Meole Brace Park+Ride and walk down the small road about 10 minutes, then walk behind the Sainsbury store itself and not infront as there is a small tunnel going under the railway and a path to the ground only! Good bit of advice there Or risk parking at Sainsbury/Focus/Comet etc etc and walking behind Focus and up the road to the main stadium gates. Personally: park as close to Sainsburys as you can or the park + ride further up the road and use the small tunnel under the railway. Saves alot of time and is for stadium access only

Top advice if you're driving. This used to be my patch before I moved to The Bay, parking up at Meole Brace and walking in will save you time and money. If you've never been to the new stadium, there's obviously no comparison to Gay Meadow, and there's grass on the pitch too instead of the permanent mudbath.

[nobbyshrimp]

Buy your tickets in advance and they post them free without CC fees thus saving a few quid. Don't pay the ridiclous car parking fees Enter Shrewsbury from the Hereford side (After going round the by-pass towards North Wales/Hereford/Leominster and turning right at Dobbies Garden Centre on the roundabout). Ignore ALL football parking signs Park free at Meole Brace Park+Ride and walk down the small road about 10 minutes, then walk behind the Sainsbury store itself and not infront as there is a small tunnel going under the railway and a path to the ground only! Good bit of advice there Or risk parking at Sainsbury/Focus/Comet etc etc and walking behind Focus and up the road to the main stadium gates. Personally: park as close to Sainsburys as you can or the park + ride further up the road and use the small tunnel under the railway. Saves alot of time and is for stadium access only

Top advice if you're driving. This used to be my patch before I moved to The Bay, parking up at Meole Brace and walking in will save you time and money. If you've never been to the new stadium, there's obviously no comparison to Gay Meadow, and there's grass on the pitch too instead of the permanent mudbath.

For those who have not been before it looks a brilliant stadium, is top drawer stuff for players + officials and also has an excellent restaurant bringing in hundreds of thousands of pounds BUT: on a cold day is bloody cold as the wind sweeps down and it has lost its character like most new stadiums nowadays and is just plain breeze block underneath. Could have at least made an effort to paint it. Overall though the stadium is fit for a higher division. For anyone stopping over try; Travelodge, Bayston Hill as you can easily walk to the ground from here or Purple Hotels, Shrewsbury Business Park as again you can walk but the Travelodge is probably closer.

[heysham_mfc]

should be a great day out in Shrewsbury went last season liked the new stadium but it is a bit out of the way hopefully we can get something from the game as well

[marky No.1]

instead of the permanent mudbath.

The old stadium had water halfway up the corner flags last season - no way would the game have taken place! We parked our car in a hotel car park near the river and had to quickly move it on Sunday morning

Don't pay the ridiclous car om here or Purple Hotels, Shrewsbury Business Park as again you can walk but the Travelodge is probably closer.

We stayed on the business park in a good hotel but, like the stadium, is in the middle of nowhere and theres nothing going on around it! This time we are staying in the town centre (being careful to park at least 400 yards from the river ) and bussing it to the ground

[nobbyshrimp]

Try this one then. Nearest Pub to ground with parking and accomodation. 3 or 4 minute walk. No idea of charges though. Nice place with nice food.
http://www.ukpubfinder.com/pub/18215
01743 344270

[Christies Minder]

Where is everybody meeting up before the game ? Will be four of us setting off about 11am by car and going via M6 / M56 / A49 takes a couple of hours and is about 35 miles shorter than M6 / M54.

[marky No.1]

Where is everybody meeting up before the game ?

Charles Darwin is the nearest - across the road, turn right and 2 roads down on your left. we met some friendly Shrews there last year and said we would be back

http://www.pubinnguide.com/pubdetailsidx26645.asp

If you head the other way over the railway bridge trying to navigate across the large roundabout on foot is hairy to say the least

[Christies Minder]

Thanks Mark - looking forward to Saturday , haven't been to the new ground , only the old one many years ago , (will be my 77th ground) see you in there hopefully.

[marky No.1]

Thanks Mark - looking forward to Saturday , haven't been to the new ground , only the old one many years ago , (will be my 77th ground) see you in there hopefully.

Doh! - and there's me on 48... I shall stop you at the gate

[Gnasher]

Is this the "Lego" ground as penned by Matt Donlon?

[Frobi]

So is everyone meeting at the Charles Darwin Pub?

Me and my old man are hoping to be there for about half one / 2 ish.

Also not sure to either take M6 M56 & A49, or M6 to stoke then A53?

[Christies Minder]

Yes we should be there for 1 ish , might be quicker via Stoke but shortest route is definately M6/ M56 / A49 , might try Stoke route on return journey and should be light till 18-30 on way back.

[shrimper]

So is everyone meeting at the Charles Darwin Pub?

If the Magic Bus crew make it there then there really will be a cross section of the evolutionary cycle in attendance.

[The Fury]

So is everyone meeting at the Charles Darwin Pub?

If the Magic Bus crew make it there then there really will be a cross section of the evolutionary cycle in attendance.

It's survival of the fittest......they haven't got a hope of getting there.

[nobbyshrimp]

M6 junction 15 Stoke. Right at roundabout then right onto A53 to Shrewsbury.
At Shrewsbury turn left onto By-pass following A49. Stay on by-pass all the way ignoring signs for football stadium/parking and going accross 3 roundabouts. At 4th (Hereford/A49 to left) turn right A5112 to Shrewsbury. After 500mtrs turn right towards Sainsburys. Park as per previous directions above. (approx 2.25hrs)

To get to Charles Darwin:
Walk behind Focus D.I.Y, over bridge, past stadium on right, around left bend and turn left into housing estate (Sutton Farm). Charles Darwin is 400 mtrs on right. It does have a small car park if you want to park there but I think they'll probably charge. No on street parking! A good brisk 10/15 minutes walk from Focus.

or

M6, M56/M53/A55, A583 towards Wrexham then Oswestry. At Oswestry pick up signs for A5 Shrewsbury. At Shrewsbury remain on A5 (by-pass) until you reach a roundabout with A5112 to the left and Dobbies garden centre on the right. Follow A5112 left and then as above. (approx. 2.5hrs. 20ish miles longer but all dual carriageway/motorway). Watch out for speed cameras near Wrexham as the welsh police have part time jobs as bar stewards!

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=s ... a=N&tab=wl

[heysham_mfc]

been on the phone to the ticket office today and my ticket is on its way too me

[outsider]

been on the phone to the ticket office today and my ticket is on its way too me

called them dinner time Monday, tickets arrived 1st post this morning