Alex Gilliead has insisted that Shrewsbury Town should not get carried away when it comes to their position in the League One table.
Salop have had a tough start to their 10th straight season in the third tier, losing the most games out of any side this season. A win over Leyton Orient means that they are not bottom, with Cambridge United occupying that spot with just one point to their names.
The fixture list has not been kind to Town since the start of the campaign, already facing heavy hitters Charlton Athletic, Huddersfield Town and Peterborough United. This weekend’s match pits them against surprise strugglers Rotherham United, who are only three points ahead of Paul Hurst’s men.
Speaking to the Shropshire Star, midfielder Alex Gillead discussed the early stages of this season, and whether or not he examines the table so early into a campaign. He said: “Not this early. When I was younger I did used to. I used to get carried away thinking if these beat these and you beat them, then you could end up here.
“But what I have learnt most over my career is it can change overnight, and I mean that one result can catapult people anywhere or you can drop down.
“So it is important not to get too carried away, the time to start getting carried away is 39 or 40 games that is when you start to look at it. But at the minute, it is just one of them where two wins can change your whole season around.”
The 28-year-old arrived at The New Meadow in the final moments of the summer transfer window from Bradford City and has already appeared four times in the third tier. Gilliead was left out of all of The Bantams’ matchday squads at the start of the season as Graham Alexander turned to other options such as Antoni Sarcevic.
After playing one season in Shropshire after leaving boyhood club Newcastle United, the midfielder made his second debut in the win over Leyton Orient and has been ever-present in the matches since. Reflecting on the competition for places in Paul Hurst’s matchday squad, he added: “We have got a good group here, and everyone wants to play, which is a good thing. There is no one sulking or anything like that.
“It is part and parcel of the game, but also if people want to get your shirt and want to take your shirt, it is good healthy competition so like I said it is part and parcel, but it is kind of needed as well.
“It is a good group of players and it is good quality and standard of training so I think it can only be good for everyone and as long it is healthy.”
Writer’s View
Shrewsbury Town would have been expected to struggle in these early matches with the level of competition they have faced so far. Whilst they may have hoped to pick something up against Mansfield Town last time out, the majority of their games have been against sides that were expected to be competing at the top end of the table. Rotherham would have been tipped to be a similar story but a poor start may be the perfect time to inflict yet more pain onto Steve Evans’ side.
Alex Gilliead looks to be happy playing in League One after a lengthy spell at Bradford City. He was the hardest worker in the Bantams’ squad across two seasons but ultimately it was decided to move him on to new ventures. Shrewsbury is a place he is familiar with and whilst it has not been easy this season, will surely find some vein of form to propel them upwards soon.
1st Class Honours in Multimedia Journalism at Salford University. Writing mainly about League Two.
