Johnson's selection dilemma
Lee Johnson faces a selection conundrum for Latics' Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie tomorrow at Shrewsbury Town.Latics' manager (pictured) admits he has yet to finalise his side for the competition which offers a Wembley day out for the finalists.
Johnson said: "I am not sure what team to pick. It is a case of juggling between mixing things and giving a couple of players a chance which they deserve and wanting to win the competition which give us the chance to have a day out at Wembley.
"It is a competition which every team in League One and Two has a realistic chance of winning.
"And as it one we can win, we will be putting in a big effort."
First-team coach Paul Murray says it is great to have a game so quickly after the disappointment of Saturday's home defeat by Tranmere Rovers.
Murray, who has analysed the DVD, said: "It was disappointing as on all counts stats wise we battered them, but never put the ball in the net.
"We had a couple of chances early on which we ought to have taken and, had we done so, it would have been a different story.
Murray, who has analysed the DVD, said: "It was disappointing as on all counts stats wise we battered them, but never put the ball in the net.
"We had a couple of chances early on which we ought to have taken and, had we done so, it would have been a different story.
"To not come away with one point was bad enough, but to not to come away with any was horrific."
Murray can see the manager making changes explaining that all the players on the bench on Saturday have been performing magnificently in training and in the reserves and are chomping at the bit.
"Anyone of them could be picked so may be there will be one or two changes. We will have to see what the manager does as he has some interesting choices as we have a fantastic squad," he said.
Murray can see the manager making changes explaining that all the players on the bench on Saturday have been performing magnificently in training and in the reserves and are chomping at the bit.
"Anyone of them could be picked so may be there will be one or two changes. We will have to see what the manager does as he has some interesting choices as we have a fantastic squad," he said.
Murray reinforced Johnson's assertion they will be taking the competition seriously as they would love to reward the fans with a day out at Wembley.
LAST MEETINGS
LAST MEETINGS
League One
Saturday, November 24th, 2012: Latics 1, Shrewsbury Town 0
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013: Shrewsbury Town 1, Latics 0.
LAST MATCHES
Sky Bet League 1
Saturday, August 31st, 2013. Latics 0, Tranmere Rovers 1
Saturday, August 31st, 2013. Shrewsbury Town 1, Coventry City 1
TEAM NEWS
Latics will again be without injury Connor Brown while Charlie MacDonald remains a doubt. The Shrews will be without top scorer Tom Bradshaw who is away with Wales under-21's.
MAN TO WATCH
Jon Taylor has been the bright light in the early part of the season.
TOP SCORERS
Tom Bradshaw (3) for Shrewsbury. Jose Baxter (2), Adam Rooney (2) for Latics.
CONNECTIONS
Latics' first-team coach Paul Murray is a former Shrews' player while Joe Jacobson has also played for both clubs.
TICKET PRICES
TICKET PRICES
£12 adults
£6 concessions (over-65's, students producing ID, under-16's, ambulant disabled).