This weekend sees the mighty Town take a trip to Stevenage. Down to London, no, up a bit, no that's Luton - you've gone too far, down a bit. Yes, that's it. Not a particularly nice place, although I've seen worse. And they are alright at that football malarkey; two consecutive promotions were followed by a near miss last season and a cup run that saw them take Tottenham to a replay in the FA Cup suggest they've got something about them.
However, they are not a side that SHOULD be good. Limited budget, tiny stadium and yet they've gone from conference nobodies into one of the most annoying League One sides around. Chiefly thanks to the hoofball, thuggery and cheating they employed under Graham Westley. Thankfully, he's now left them but I have no idea if his "physical" legacy lingers on like an unpleasant aftertaste.
They've also started this season in pretty solid fashion. They beat Oldham and Orient away from home by the margin of a goal to nil, and drew 1-1 at home to Carlisle. A real feast of goals so far, definitely suggesting Westley's style has completely gone. However, they scored three times in one game in the League Cup first round win over Wimbledon, so maybe there is hope. Especially with our side having matched them for league goals in matches so far; 4 goals in the three games we've been involved in.
Obviously this will be far from an easy game; it'll be a significant test and one which will require our defence to remain as impressive as in the last two games, with a little more coming from our forwards if we want to score. I have confidence though, Turner may even bring in a new signing before the week's up.
Did you know... Jack Wilshere was born in Stevenage.
Lenny's Grandison fact: Archaeologists unearthed an old english dictionary dating back to the year 1236. It defined victim as "one who has encountered Grandison."
What the bookies think: Stevenage - 11/10; Draw - 12/5; Shrewsbury - 2/1
Lenny's Prediction: Stevenage 8-7 Shrewsbury (Gornell x4, Morgan, Wright, Weale); Attendance 961
Finally, just a quick note to let people know that the next round of the betting league is ready - anyone who hasn't yet joined in but would like to may still do so; you have £150 with which to place your bets for this week.
However, they are not a side that SHOULD be good. Limited budget, tiny stadium and yet they've gone from conference nobodies into one of the most annoying League One sides around. Chiefly thanks to the hoofball, thuggery and cheating they employed under Graham Westley. Thankfully, he's now left them but I have no idea if his "physical" legacy lingers on like an unpleasant aftertaste.
They've also started this season in pretty solid fashion. They beat Oldham and Orient away from home by the margin of a goal to nil, and drew 1-1 at home to Carlisle. A real feast of goals so far, definitely suggesting Westley's style has completely gone. However, they scored three times in one game in the League Cup first round win over Wimbledon, so maybe there is hope. Especially with our side having matched them for league goals in matches so far; 4 goals in the three games we've been involved in.
Obviously this will be far from an easy game; it'll be a significant test and one which will require our defence to remain as impressive as in the last two games, with a little more coming from our forwards if we want to score. I have confidence though, Turner may even bring in a new signing before the week's up.
Did you know... Jack Wilshere was born in Stevenage.
Lenny's Grandison fact: Archaeologists unearthed an old english dictionary dating back to the year 1236. It defined victim as "one who has encountered Grandison."
What the bookies think: Stevenage - 11/10; Draw - 12/5; Shrewsbury - 2/1
Lenny's Prediction: Stevenage 8-7 Shrewsbury (Gornell x4, Morgan, Wright, Weale); Attendance 961
Finally, just a quick note to let people know that the next round of the betting league is ready - anyone who hasn't yet joined in but would like to may still do so; you have £150 with which to place your bets for this week.
