Shrewsbury have set out to build on their 18th-placed finish last season, and they have done exactly that so far, currently occupying eighth in the table, outside the playoffs on goal difference alone.
Key to Steve Cotterill’s side has been an ability to grind out results, only winning one league game by more than a one-goal margin, a 2-0 win at lowly Forest Green Rovers, but managing to show the resilience to hold on to narrow leads.
Three wins in their last four matches have left Salop sitting pretty in the League One table, and they could move as high as fourth with a victory on Saturday depending on results elsewhere, in what would be a somewhat unexpected playoff push.
Last time out, a lone strike from Tom Bayliss was enough to secure three points in a 1-0 win away at Fleetwood Town, another impressive result on the road, where Shrewsbury have accumulated 11 points, one more than they have managed at Montgomery Waters Meadow.
If there is one area to improve though it may be in attack, having only scored 14 goals during this league campaign, the joint-third lowest amount in the top 18.
Charlton will start the day’s action in 10th place, two points off Barnsley in sixth, but with one extra game played than most of the teams above them in the table.
Ben Garner’s side seem to have finally clicked in recent matches though, winning their last two games and scoring seven goals in the process, with a return of 22 goals so far the joint-second highest of any team not in the top six.
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The Addicks romped home to victory in their most recent fixture, against impressive opposition to boot, cruising to a 3-0 victory against fifth-placed Portsmouth, a result that put them within three points of the fellow playoff chasers.
However, Saturday’s game will perhaps be the true test for the visitors, with Charlton having the second-worst away record in the entire division, winless on the road so far, drawing four and losing three.
With Shrewsbury representing a difficult opponent after their good start to the season, Garner will be hoping that recent form will give his side confidence to get a maiden win on their travels, and that they will begin to move up the League One table.
