Opposition Lowdown: Gareth Ainsworth’s Relegation Battling Shrewsbury Town

Reading return to the Select Car Leasing Stadium this Tuesday for an evening game with Shrewsbury Town. Join us as we take a closer look at the opposition.

Form

Shrewsbury Town finished last season in 19th place in League One, two places and four points clear of the relegation zone. This season marks their 10th straight season in the third tier, having won promotion from League Two in 2015 after finishing runners-up to Burton Albion.

Shrewsbury are currently locked in a relegation battle, sitting in 22nd place in the league following seven wins, five draws and 17 losses so far. However, their recent form has been strong considering their position, having seen three wins and two losses in their last five games.

The Shrews come into this game off the back of two straight wins, with their last victory coming in a 1-2 away win at Rotherham United at the weekend. The two sides are yet to face each other this season, but they played out two five-goal thrillers last season, with the Shrews beating the Royals 3-2 home and away.

The boss

Gareth Ainsworth: Ainsworth was appointed Shrewsbury manager in November, taking over from Paul Hurst, who was sacked in his second spell at the club.

Ainsworth had an almost 20-year career as a player, representing the likes of Preston North End, Lincoln City, Queens Park Rangers and Wycombe Wanderers, operating as a midfielder.

Towards the end of his playing career, Ainsworth took on a player/coach role at QPR and was made caretaker manager on two occasions. He was also appointed caretaker manager of Wycombe while still a player in 2012, a role which was later made permanent.

Ainsworth spent just over 10 years in charge at Wycombe and guided the club to two promotions – the first to League One in 2018 after finishing third in League Two, and then to the Championship in 2020, via the playoffs.

He went on to become QPR manager in 2023 but only lasted nine months in charge of the West Londoners. After a brief spell out of the game, Ainsworth joined Shrewsbury in November last year with the club bottom of the league. He has since moved the Shrews two places up the table after five wins, three draws and six losses in his first 14 games in charge.

The 51-year-old is known for his brand of rock-and-roll football, favouring an attacking mindset.

Squad

Shrewsbury signed goalkeeper Jamal Blackman on a short-term deal in December and he recently signed a contract extension until the end of the season.

The Shrews managed to bring in an additional four players during the January transfer window with three joining from non-league clubs - midfielder Dom Gape from Eastleigh, forward Ricardo Dingana from Telford and striker Callum Stewart from Leamington. They also signed striker Vadaine Oliver in a loan deal from Bradford City.

Defender Toto Nsiala will be available again following the end of his suspension at the weekend.

Predicted lineup

Blackman, Nsiala, J. Feeney, Pierre, Hoole, Benning, Gape, Gilliead, Perry, Marquis, Lloyd

Key player

27. John Marquis: Striker Marquis joined Shrewsbury last summer, signing on a free transfer following the end of his contract at Bristol Rovers.

He started his career in the youth setup at Millwall and signed his first pro deal with the club in 2009 when he also made his debut. He had loan spells with eight different teams while at the Lions but also went on to make 65 appearances for the club.

Marquis ended a seven-year spell at Millwall in 2016 when he went on to join Doncaster Rovers, where he spent three years, scoring 66 goals across League One and League Two, where he also claimed the Golden Boot in 2017.

A move to Portsmouth followed in 2019, where he spent two and a half seasons before moving to Lincoln City and then Bristol Rovers. Marquis made 84 appearances for Rovers over the course of two years, while adding another 17 goals to his career tally.

The 32-year-old is Shrewsbury’s top scorer so far this season with nine goals to his name. He has also captained the side in their last six league games. Marquis is a hard-working striker who moves well off the ball.

One to watch

2. Luca Hoole: Defender Hoole joined the Shrews this summer, signing from League One rivals Bristol Rovers.

He started his career in the youth setup at Rovers and made his debut for the Gas in 2019. He became a first-team regular in the 2021/22 season and went on to make over 100 appearances for Rovers, scoring four goals. Since signing for Shrewsbury this summer he has played a part in 27 matches.

Born in Wales, Hoole has represented his country at under-19, under-20 and under-21 level. Predominantly a right-back, the 22-year-old can also play in the centre of defence and is an effective tackler, who is also strong in the air.