Game 4 - The Shrews (H)
Team - Shrewsbury Town
Date - 20/08/2025 18:45
Where - Meadow Lane

What would your starting line-up be? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

Will things improve with two games at Meadow Lane? I hope so. I think it could stay tense until we get three points, and the performances need to be good enough to make that happen unless something changes soon.

It’s starting to look like it could be a tough season, but it’s still very early. There’s time to turn things around.

Defend from the back, lead from the front. That’s the way forward.

I know fans keep saying it, but this game is a must win for Notts. This is the fourth league game of the season & Notts are already 8 points behind first & second place.

I do hope the fans get behind the team on masse & pull them to a win. it's a time for the fan base to encourage & support the players in any way they can.

Two wins this week would lift the depression & give a completely different read to the league table as far as Notts is concerned.

Of course the players have to play their part too, & there is good news on the horizon. Allasana Jatta will return on Saturday to strengthen the team

Shrewsbury have picked up 1 point from their 3 games. They haven't scored in the league yet. They did manage a goal in their cup game away to Grimsby.

This is a game between 2 sides who are low on confidence. I think Notts are under slightly more pressure as the expectations are that bit higher.

Can't be any worse than the last time Shrewsbury came to Meadow Lane... 😰😱

We need something to give us some encouragement, I'd even take a goal in the first half at Meadow Lane - we've not had one of them since February! I really do think we need to be more positive and more on the font-foot from the off. No more 5 at the back, push the wingback's high from the start and try to pin Shrewsbury in. We've gone behind in every match so far this season, that really doesn't help, scoring first will lift the crowd and the players too.

I’m praying for a win against Shrewsbury if we lose I can see things getting really toxic and an atmosphere I’d really rather not be part of.

Bottom half of the League 2 table after Tuesday's matches. Notts are seven points off a playoff spot.

Might be a tough game a win would be nice to get us going and possibly start a good run of result however goals seem to be difficult to achieve right now so we might have to except a draw.

It's Matchday.

I haven't seen Shrewsbury Town play this season, although I have been in discussion with @shrewswill and @friendlyshrew who has mentioned that they haven't been performing their best. Defensively, I am told they are "dire" and struggle to defend in key moments. I don't know if they have watched any of our games, but it could be entertaining for all the wrong reasons.

Notts just have to work much harder than they have been, communicate, and get into areas where they can cause Shrewsbury headaches.

I do have a good feeling, as I think we would have hit the training ground and focused on a lot of the negatives we have seen during the games so far. It would be ideal if Martin Paterson introduced Nick Tsaroulla as a starting player.

I would look at avoiding starting Kellan Gordon, but it's not like Keanan Bennetts has been any better, but I do think he's the better of the two going forward. I am sure Gordon will have his moments, but right now I don't think he deserves to start. We need to be more focused in our passing at the back, avoid giving the ball away, and play into space. Pass and move, find the opening space, and be constructive.

Paterson would be wise to drill in that passing back must be the last resort, with consideration of just lumping the ball forward if passes are hard. At least this way, we don't invite pressure, and we can then retain a positive shape. You never know, it might cause issues for the defence, and some of our pacier players might gain an advantage from it.

I would rather lose the ball with us trying something different than gift it away or pass into areas where it is impossible to retain

Half of our problem so far stems from the lack of football intelligence in our movement going forward. We can't just give the ball to someone and hope they can make the space open up; others have to try to assist and support the attacking players.

Tonight’s team news.

Martin's team for the game against Shrewsbury.

Tsaroulla is in the starting eleven for the first time this season. Norburn returns to midfield. Cotter is on the right hand side. Bennetts & Gordon start on the bench.

Glad to see Tsaroulla starting but surprised that Norburn, Palmer & Cotter all start too. Expect Jones to be in the “roving 10” role & Cotter & Nick T on the wings, we’ll see.

Nothing but a win is good enough tonight, full stop.

COYP - we need this one.

Underway

GOOOOOAAAAAL DENNIS.

Update

GOOOOOAAAAAL ALJOFREE.

Update

Goal to Shrewsbury. Another cross bring Notts's downfall.

Don’t blow it now Notts, PLEASE!

Update

Half Time: Notts Lead.

Better from Notts who have played some good football at times, but again, Notts Achilles heal exposed with a header from a cross which Notts couldn't deal with.

It's an improvement, isn't it?

Lots of good play down our left-hand side. We have good players there with creativity and energy. There's been zilch down the right.

I'm pleased for Alfofree. He needs the confidence boost that goal will bring.

We need to keep an eye on Norburn on the yellow. He's the type of player who can't help leaving a foot in so I hope MP doesn't risk it for too long.

Back to it. No changes.

Update

GOOOOOAAAAAL TSAROULLA

Update

Update. Substitutions for Notts

Much better from Notts today. It’s good to see Tsaroulla get on the scoresheet, he’s deserved a moment like that. This result should calm a few nerves, even if Shrewsbury weren’t the strongest test. It’s still a step in the right direction. Hopefully Martin Paterson can build on this and put a decent run together. That would help fans stay grounded and avoid the usual panic after a poor result.

I’m happy with the performance, but we’ve got to keep pushing. The players need to show they can do this week in, week out.

Update.

Substitutions for Notts.

Hall replaces Norburn 75 mins

Bennetts for Tsaroula

Update

GOOOOOAAAAAL GRANT.