Bristol Rovers will face a team who, like themselves, are in transition in Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday.
The Gas travel to New Meadow for a 6pm kick off, three days after Sam Ricketts' side picked up their first League One victory of the season – a late 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon.
Last time the teams met, shortly before lockdown in February, the Shrews took the points with a 1-0 win at the Mem – but they are a changed team since then, trying to play a more attacking brand of football with a veteran goalscorer up top.
To get the inside line on Salop, we spoke to Lewis Cox – Shrewsbury Town reporter for the Shropshire Star.
Shrewsbury got their first league win of the season on Saturday. It seemed a bit of a struggle before that. What have you made of Ricketts’ team over the opening weeks of the season?
The manager has stressed that his side have not had the points they have merited from games before the big AFC Wimbledon win. The record of three draws from four before that shows that Town have had spells where they have been on top in games and caught the eye, but equally they have them come off the gas and struggled to see out results.
In the summer it was reported that Ricketts was keen to open his team up a bit more in hope of delivering a more attacking style of play. Has that materialised?
They are playing a 4-3-3 as opposed to a back three/five and there is emphasis on the two 'number eights' in midfield to push forward. They haven't converted the goals a more progressive and attack-minded style would suggest but they have made more chances and will hope to find a more clinical edge. Getting veteran hitman Leon Clarke off the mark on Saturday is a big boost.
What is the mood among the fanbase?
They remain hopeful of seeing their side (via iFollow...) play some decent football and mix it in mid-table with a view to pushing into the top half.
How do you expect Shrewsbury to set up on Tuesday?
My predicted line-up (4-3-3): Iliev; Williams, Ebanks-Landell, Pierre, Golbourne; Walker, Vela, Norburn; Cummings, Clarke, Udoh.
Are there any injuries or suspensions for Ricketts to contend with?
That would be two changes from Saturday with Walker and Udoh, who scored the winner at the Mem in February, coming in.
Two right-backs in Marlon Fossey and Matt Millar are injured, with centre-half Ro-Shaun Williams playing slightly out of position. Key attacker Shaun Whalley (calf) is a big doubt.
Who is the main threat Rovers will need to be wary of?
Clarke has more than 150 career goals across 17 years and knows how to find the onion bag. He will feel in good spirits after Saturday's late show. Jason Cummings is a natural goalscorer and, despite playing out on the right, is a big threat whenever found in the box.
Prediction?
I'll go for an on-the-fence 1-1 draw.
