SWINDON Town manager Paolo Di Canio is wary of Shrewsbury’s physical threat ahead of the two team’s League One clash this weekend.

Di Canio is an admirer of the organisation of Graham Turner’s Shrews, and was not surprised when they came second to Swindon in League Two last season.

And, as he looks to guide his team to a fourth successive victory, the Italian has pointed out the need for his Robins players to stand firm against their uncompromising hosts.

“They look like at the moment less fantasy but more solid so we have to be careful,” he said.

“Their physical presence - they have three fellas at 1’93 and that can cause problems so we have to be careful.

“We have to go through a situation where we don’t want to concede a lot of set plays so it’s hard but they are tough, have good organisation and, in my opinion, this is the game that if we challenge with them 50-50 we will make damage to them.

“If we play our football we can cause problems to anyone.

“It’s not a surprise they finished second because the organisation and the quality was clear.

“They didn’t change a lot, in terms of shape, they changed a few players and they have a few players now that I know because they played against us last year in League Two.

“The two defenders, one from Barnet and one from Aldershot are two different players.

“In midfield they changed the two players in central midfield, they adapted the player who scored against us last year (Marc Richards) as a left winger.

“(Marvin) Morgan up front is still playing, their shape and system is exactly the same.”

Meanwhile, Di Canio is desperate for his team not to slump into a trend of producing sub-par performances after impressive cup victories.

Following the previous two Capital One Cup successes against Brighton and Stoke, Town were poor in their goalless draw with Hartlepool and a 4-1 humiliation at Preston.

And, having beaten Burnley 3-1 on Tuesday, Di Canio does not want to see his team slack tomorrow. He said: “I want to see if we have changed since the past in the way we approach the game after we have done well in the cup.”