SHREWSBURY TOWN manager Paul Simpson has come out fighting against his club s supporters in recent weeks.

by MIKE SIMMONDS

SHREWSBURY TOWN manager Paul Simpson has come out fighting against his club's supporters in recent weeks, writes MIKE SIMMONDS.

After reaching the play-offs last season, at the expense of Dagenham & Redbridge, many at the Shropshire club had expected a challenge for the automatic places this season.

However, while Shrewsbury are fifth in the table, a mere point off the Daggers in third, the natives are growing restless, and made their feelings known after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Burton Albion.

A disappointed Simpson stated: "I find it incredible how I was abused when we've taken seven points out of nine away from home," he said after wins at Chesterfield and Bradford City.

"I know it's only a small minority but they need to take a reality check.

"They need to take a look at where we are in the table and the injuries we've had to put up with this season.

"We've just taken seven points out of nine in difficult away games and the abuse takes the edge off what we're trying to do.

"As a team, we stick together and we'll keep going, but I'm disappointed our fans don't stick together as well.

"We'll all keep our heads, and when we return to the Prostar against Dagenham, hopefully we'll put on a performance that our stadium deserves and that we know the players are capable of."

On the playing front, Shrews have captain Dave Hibbert in marvellous goalscoring form as Saturday's opener at Burton was his 13th of the season and fourth in four games.

Centre half Graham Coughlan will miss Saturday's encounter as he faces three weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, but Shane Cansdell-Sheriff is expected to recover from his knock.

FAMILIAR FACES

SPURS goalkeeper David Button is now between the posts at Shrewsbury, a position he held for Daggers last season when covering for the injured Tony Roberts.

Although only 20, the youngster has been sent on loan to seven different clubs, and has already come up against John Still's side this season.

That was on the opening day of the campaign when he was at Crewe and Daggers put two past him in a 2-1 victory.

WE'VE MET BEFORE

Daggers have never won at Shrewsbury in their four meetings there to date, with every match going the way of the home side.

At Gay Meadow in August 2003, they were beaten 2-1, despite Mark Bentley's goal, but since the Shrews have moved, Daggers have not enjoyed their brand spanking new stadium.

A 4-0 loss in their first visit, after Solomon Taiwo was sent off, was followed by a 5-0 humilation in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Last season it was a much closer affair, with Sam Saunders free kick levelling the scores at 1-1 before Grant Holt netted a last-gasp penalty.

The Post is now on Twitter, so if you follow twitter.com/Post_DagRed then you will get up to the minute updates on goings on at Victoria Road