Graham Turner has told his Shrewsbury Town players to put Tuesday’s big Carling Cup trip to Premier League Stoke City to the back of their minds and concentrate on beating Aldershot this weekend.
Turner is aware the impending trip to the Britannia Stadium has generated plenty of excitement – it will be the first time Town have graced a current top flight ground for 17 years – but for now he’s more concerned with his side maintaining their flying start to the season by seeing off Aldershot at the Greenhous Meadow on Saturday.
“We need to concentrate on making sure we get the three points against Aldershot and put the Stoke game to one side at the moment,” said Turner.
“Our bread and butter is the league. That’s the over-riding thing in everything we do and we’ve got to make sure we’re up there in contention.
“Once we get Aldershot out of the way we can enjoy the Stoke experience.”
Turner, who masterminded some famous cup wins in his first spell as Town manager, added: “I asked the question on the team bus coming back from Macclesfield last Saturday: When was the last time the club played at a top flight ground in any of the cup competitions? The answer I got was 17 years ago (at Blackburn’s Ewood Park).
“That’s a long time to wait to go to a big club and it’s convenient, just down the road at Stoke, and I’m hoping we enjoy the experience.
“And enjoying it is by putting in a good display. It’s not just going along for the ride. We’ve got to go there with a will and intent on causing an upset.”
But for now Turner is looking no further than Saturday’s visit of Aldershot.
“They had a terrific season to reach the play-offs and we’ve had reports on them which would suggest they’re a very athletic side who get the ball forward early and get support to their big front players,” said Turner.
“They’re going to be a difficult side and we’ll treat them with respect but the main factor for us is how we perform.
“If we play well enough we’re capable of beating most sides in this league. The emphasis this season will be very much on what we do rather than too much on the opposition.”
It’s a case of so far, so good for Turner who has been delighted with the work ethic shown by his players in reeling off three straight wins in league and cup.
“It’s been a great start to the season with three victories in the first eight days,” said Turner.
“We had a terrific comeback against Charlton and there was some very good football played in a couple of the games. Some defending had to be done at Macclesfield but we also looked lively on the break.”
Goalkeeper Chris Neal will get the chance to start this weekend with summer signing Ben Smith ruled out for a couple of weeks owing to a groin injury.
Kevin McIntyre is still suspended, but Turner otherwise has a full squad to choose from.
“It was a tough call between the keepers as they both did well in pre-season,” said the boss.
“When Chris came on at Macclesfield he did fine. He’s now got the opportunity to stake a claim for being first choice.”
Turner added he did not envisage any more additions to his squad.
“You’re always looking but I’ve got my doubts whether we’ll bring anybody else in before the deadline. It’s only a week then and if anything untoward happens we can always take emergency loans.”
While Turner is fully focused on Saturday’s tussle, he admitted he was looking forward to Tuesday’s Carling Cup second round trip to the Potteries and meeting up with Stoke boss Tony Pulis.
“I’ve got great respect for what he’s done,” said Turner.
“He’s come up the hard way, coaching and managing at smaller clubs, and I think it’s terrific he’s had that opportunity and has achieved what he has.”
Goalkeeping coach Paul Gerrard faces an interesting night after Town were handed a first round trip to Oldham Athletic in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
Gerrard spends a couple of days each week coaching the keepers at both clubs.
Town head to Boundary Park on Tuesday, August 31 (7.45pm).
By Stuart Dunn