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It's the start of yet another new era at the Harriers now that Jan Molby has gone, again. The new man in charge, Shaun Cunnington, has got a lot on his plate what with having to take charge of a team rooted firmly at the bottom of the table, and an injury list as long as his arm along with a total lack of goals from a shot shy forward line.
Shrewsbury are in a similar situation to ourselves, managerless, but with a better injury situation. They're only one place and goal difference above us in the League though.
For them Jimmy Quinn left last week after a home draw to Grimsby Town saying that he couldn't take the team any further. After getting them promoted from the Conference last season he had struggled to inspire them this time around. Chic Bates took over as caretaker manager, a role he has done many times at Shrewsbury, and took them to a draw at home to Southend last week.
The Shrews have no real injury worries. Ben Smith (shoulder) will miss the game but Ross Stevens (groin), Dave Edwards (hamstring) Jamie Tolley (shin) and Trevor Challis (hamstring) could all be in contention. All, apart from Tolley and Smith, played in a reserve game in midweek against Mark Yates' Burnley reserves.
Also missing for Shrewsbury will be Luke Rodgers, (there is a God!), who will be serving a one match ban for five bookings.
We also have an important player missing for us. Wayne Hatswell was dismissed at Chester on Tuesday night for bringing Michael Branch down when he was, supposedly, clear on goal.
That was a bad night all round for us with yet another 3-0 defeat and players looking totally un-interested in all that was going on around them. From tomorrow onwards things will be different because they'll be playing for their futures.
We have a goal keeping crisis at the moment with both our keepers, Danby and Lewis, out with broken digits. Late this afternoon a young keeper, Ben Foster from Stoke City, came here on loan. The Leamington born 21yr old has formerly been on loan at Bristol City and has yet to make an appearance for his parent club.
Also on the loan front Simon Brown will be staying at Aggborough for the rest of the season after being given permission by also managerless West Brom. He's currently out injured with a fractured shin.
News also came through today that we now have a total of three long term injuries in addition to Reuben Hazell. Mickey Mellon is now facing an operation on his achilles injury and we all know what's wrong with Christie.
I know it's been a terrible week for us but we now have to get behind the team and especially Shaun. This has got to be a 'must win' game but without key members of the side it's going to be tough.
I'm not religious but I'm a hopin' and a prayin' here.
Teams
Harriers from:
Ben Foster, Lewis, Burton, Cooper, Sall, McMahon, McHale, Advice-Desruisseaux, Jenkins, Keates, Diop, Christiansen, Keene, Langmead, Ian Foster, Russell.
Shrewsbury from:
Howie, Moss, Challis, Tolley, Tinson, Ridler, Sedgemore, Aiston, O'Connor, Whitehead, Lowe, Darby, Edwards, Grant, Hart, Stevens, Walton, McGrath, Fox.
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