Home not proving a comfort for Shrews

Their current run of five straight league defeats at the Greenhous Meadow since May is just one off an unwanted club record of six from the League One relegation season in 2013-14.

That return is in sharp contrast to the form that saw them take more points at home – 55 – than any other team in the country last season.

It's also strange given their unbeaten record on their travels, with two wins and two draws in the league plus victory at Championship side Blackburn in the Capital One Cup and taking Crystal Palace to extra-time at Selhurst Park.

Even more reason then to ask, 'why have Town gone from hero to zero in front of their own fans?'

Before anyone points the finger, there are a couple of major points to make in mitigation.

Firstly, given their recent away performances have been similar to what we've seen at the Greenhous Meadow, there doesn't appear to be any mental block about playing at the Meadow. Take the last two games for example. Both ended in 1-0 wins for the away team, but at Southend, Nathaniel Knight-Percival converted one of several chances Micky Mellon's side created, while Saturday's 1-0 reverse against Crewe saw them fail to take any of their numerous opportunities as the Railwaymen scored from one of only two openings.

They controlled virtually all of both games and were indisputably the better side, with the fine lines simply the fact they scored at Southend but didn't against Crewe.

The other factor which must be considered is the difference in the level they're playing at. In League Two last season, Town could often afford to miss chances in the knowledge more opportunities would come along and they would convert one or two at some stage and the inferior opposition wouldn't.

In League One, defences are that much tighter and more organised and the chances that come their way aren't so plentiful or easy.

Mellon is convinced the right results will come with continued good performances, and there's no doubt Town are playing well.

But given every League game has been decided by one goal or less so far, the margins between success and failure are sometimes wafer-thin.

Mellon understands fans' frustrations and has been drilling home the right message to the players as they prepare for the visit of Blackpool on Saturday.

"We want to win all the home games and we're disappointed we haven't," he said.

"We want the fans to enjoy it and we hope they create a great atmosphere here."