Shrewsbury Town v Wolves: What to expect from Sam Ricketts' side

Luke Hatfield spoke with Shropshire Star colleague, Tom Leach, to get an inside track on Sam Ricketts' side.

See what he had to say here...

Shrewsbury Town were obviously very close to promotion to the Championship last season, how have they get on this time around?

Shrewsbury were always going to struggle to replicate last season's achievements. Paul Hurst, who became so popular amongst fans during his short time in Shropshire that he even had a street named after him, was already making his exit before Town's Wembley final and he wasn't the only big departure.

Jon Nolan and Aristote Nsiala followed Hurst to Ipswich, while Alex Rodman, Ben Godfrey and Carlton Morris also played their last game in blue and amber at Wembley. Town actually lost eight of their ten most used stars of last season during the summer.

In came John Askey, a man who had great success with Macclesfield in non-league, but he was always facing an uphill battle and was sacked after a gutless draw with Salford City at the Meadow. Ironically, that was a nightmare start to what has proved to be a successful FA Cup run.

Under caretaker management duo Eric Ramsay and Danny Coyne, Town kept Askey's approach but played with far more desire and with a real spring in their step.

Sam Ricketts, someone Wolves fans will be more than familiar with, inherited a team on a truly unbelievable winning run but he has since struggled to replicate that himself.

We've seen former Wolves man Sam Ricketts step in as manager, how would you say he's taken to League One and Shrewsbury Town?

Understandably, Ricketts did not come in and change too much at first in fear of dmaaging the good work that Coyne and Ramsey had done before him. However, as games started to slip away from Town he became more comfortable putting his ideas into practice.

There have been some stunning and memorable performances under Ricketts. He certainly baffled the press when he switched to a 4-5-1 away at the Stadium of Light with Lenell John-Lewis on the left of midfield. To try and put that in relatable terms for Wolves fans, it was a bit like Kenny Jackett decided to try Leon Clarke out on the left during their time in League One. It baffled us all, but it proved to be a stroke of genius and Town put in their best performance of the season.

Then you have the turnaround at the Bet365 earlier this month. Town fans won't forget that in a hurry. Shrewsbury may be closer to the bottom four than they have been at any stage this season, but Ricketts has shown real signs of things to come.

Another man Wolves fans will know all about is Dave Edwards, how did his move to Shrewsbury come about, and what have been your first impressions of him?

We haven't really had a chance to pass judgement on Dave Edwards since he returned to Shrewsbury. He came on for ten minutes in Town's 3-0 defeat to Charlton, tweaked his groin going for goal, and hasn't featured since.

Edwards' name was being thrown around the media suite on the day that Ricketts was unveiled. Sam joked about getting Dave in as a groundsman if he had too, he saw his addition being that influential.

As for this game, Edwards won't be fit to feature. It's a huge shame for him but Town do have some very important League One game coming up with Bradford on Tuesday night to name just one.

What sort of style of play will Shrewsbury Town implement against Wolves, do you think they have hope of an upset?

I think this is an interesting one. Town have switched things up for the big games this season and found themselves paying a 4-5-1 and every time they have done it they have got something from the game. They haven''t quite faced anyone with the fire power that Wolves have though.

Realistically, I think any hope of an upset will rest with Nuno's selection and just the sheer madness of the FA Cup.

I will say though, Town will fight. Although they have found themselves being dragged into a relegation scrap the FA Cup provides a much needed distraction and Shrews have a history in this competition at upsetting the big boys.

Who else should Wolves fans look out for in the opposition ranks? Is there a particular danger man?

Fejiri Okenabirhie. He is Town's top scorer. The man has ice in his veins and thrives under pressure. He would not be fazed at all if he skipped away one-on-one with Patricio.

Josh Laurent is another one. He's a powerful central midfielder but he can play absolutely anywhere. He is so hard to dispossess and after blowing hot and cold at the start of the season he has wriggled his way into fans hearts.

What have you made of Shrewsbury Town's record in the FA Cup, are they known as giant killers?

Very nearly. Last season they forced West Ham to a replay at the London Stadium and two years before that they beat Sheffield Wednesday with a memorable Jack Grimmer goal in stoppage time to book Town a fixture against Manchester United.

Those who have been following Town for far longer than me will tell stories of them beating Manchester City in the early 70s and of course their 2-1 win over an Everton side chasing a place in Europe back in 2003. Just like Wolves today, maybe there is something in that.

Your match prediction?

I'm not a fan of predictions. I think Town are going to give it a really good go and will leave the field with their pride in tact, but Wolves will progress. Let's say 1-3.