AHEAD of the second STFC derby of the season, Adver Sport spoke to the Shropshire Star’s Lewis Cox to gain the inside scoop on Swindon’s next opponents, Shrewsbury Town.

AS: What effect has Steve Cotterill had since coming in and how is he doing, health-wise?

LC: Quite simply, he has transformed fortunes on the pitch. Town were on a dreadful run of form with confidence at a real low, they could not see games out under Sam Ricketts - Swindon at home was a classic example.

Cotterill quickly improved on organisation, brought a back-to-basics approach and fitness seemed to improve. Results came, and with that confidence and momentum.

Unfortunately, the manager is still not well. He remains in hospital, where he has been for three weeks now. Though, this week’s update was encouraging and - touch wood - it sounds like he will be out soon.

AS: How confident are you that Shrewsbury will beat the drop?

LC: Before Cotterill’s appointment, Town were second-bottom and, while not far adrift of safety, it was hard to see where enough wins were coming from.

Fast-forward to now, Town may have lost two of the three league games since returning to action but they have played well in all four contests and have deserved more.

Most of a Shrewsbury persuasion now believe they have enough to comfortably see off relegation. Although goals are still a little light.

AS: Who has stood out in recent weeks?

LC: Midfielder Josh Vela has been very good since Cotterill’s appointment. In Blackburn loan man Harry Chapman, they have a new match-winner in attacking midfield. New left wing-back Nathanael Ogbeta, a teenager from Manchester City, has been excellent.

AS: What was the club’s January business like?

LC: Unfortunately, Town could not renew deals for influential wing-backs Charlie Daniels and Matt Millar. As well as adding Chapman and Ogbeta, Town brought in Everton defender Matthew Pennington on loan (although he has dislocated his shoulder), and midfielder David Davis and striker Curtis Main on free transfers until the end of the season.

They did try for more on deadline day and a couple of deals got away, including the high profile move for Will Grigg, but they will be satisfied enough.

AS: How do you expect the Shrews to go about the game on Saturday?

LC: Town have been consistently 3-5-2 since Cotterill’s appointment. It is a bit of a 3-4-1-2 with emphasis on the ‘No.10’ behind the strikers and the two wing-backs.

They are a physical side but they also like to move the ball quickly and get at teams with powerful and high-intensity running. I think there’s a good chance deadline day signing Main will be handed a debut and perhaps a switch at right wing-back, with attack-minded Josh Daniels coming in.

I feel Shrews may have too much for their hosts as they look to get over Tuesday’s home defeat to Crewe. I’ll go 2-0 Shrewsbury.