THE CHALKBOARD

Swindon Advertiser:
Micky Melon

IF TOWN’S home form in League One could be classed as worrying, then Shrewsbury’s must be keeping their fans up at night.

Micky Mellon’s side picked up fewer points than anyone else at home as they survived relegation last term and from the beginning of last season, they’ve only won six of 28 league matches at the Greenhous Meadow.

Despite their struggles on home turf, manager Mellon in unlikely to alter his team’s approach when they roll out the red carpet for Swindon.

Like Town, the Shrews usually adopt a 3-5-2 system and they’re also keen advocates of keeping the ball on the deck and attempting to maintain a stranglehold on possession.

Results may be poor but they've only conceded three times in as many games.

A MAN IN FORM: IVAN TONEY 

Swindon Advertiser:
Ivan Toney

SHREWSBURY benefitted from the goals of an on-loan striker last season as Crystal Palace’s Sullay Kaikai topped their scoring charts by notching 12 times.

This term, Ivan Toney looks like he may have the potential to follow in Kaikai’s footsteps.

In 2015, the 20-year-old earned a move from boyhood club Northampton Town to Newcastle United and he spent most of last season with Barnsley, featuring as the Terriers won the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy as well as the League One play-off final.

Shrewsbury is the latest destination for Toney and after a quiet first month, the frontman kicked off September with two goals in as many games.

However, he missed Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Peterborough United after being booked twice against AFC Wimbledon three days earlier.

TREATMENT ROOM

Swindon Advertiser:
Abu Ogogo

AS THEY prepare to play host to Luke Williams’ Swindon this weekend, Shrewsbury Town have been hit by the news of an injury blow for winger Shaun Whalley.

Manager Mellon hit back at supporters for booing his decision to take off the 29-year-old former Luton Town and Southport man midway through Tuesday’s draw with Peterborough United, revealing post-match that Whalley had a calf problem.

On Thursday, the Shrews boss confirmed that the wideman’s injury was far from a minor scare, with Whalley now expected to be sidelined for four-to-six weeks.

Abu Ogogo will also be missing on Saturday, having sat out his team’s last two outings with a nerve problem in his groin – the midfielder is still to return to training.

But there is some good news for Mellon as he looks set to welcome back striker Ivan Toney.

Toney was sent off against AFC Wimbledon on September 27 but has no served a one-match suspension.

OPPO FORM GUIDE

TUES Sept 27, Skybet League 1

1-1 Draw v Peterborough Utd (H)

SAT Sept 24, Skybet League 1

1-1 Draw v AFC Wimbledon (A)

SAT Sept 17, Skybet League 1

1-0 Loss v Scunthorpe Utd (H)

SAT Sept 10, Skybet League 1

2-1 Loss v Bury (A)

SAT Sept 3, Skybet League 1

3-2 Win v Oldham (A)

Goalscorers

Louis Dodds: 3

Ian Black, Junior Brown, Ivan Toney: 2

Discipline

Ivan Toney: 4Y 1R

Adam El-Abd: 3Y 1R

Ryan McGivern: 4Y

The stat

After 43 years of Third Division football, Swindon finally secured promotion to Division Two in 1963 following a 1-0 win over Shrewsbury