Joe Riley urges Shrewsbury Town to stay grounded

The 25-year-old right-back, who recently returned to the fold at Shrewsbury Town after a broken leg, was part of a Bury side which got the 2015/16 campaign off to a flier.

They lost just one of their opening 13 league outings, going on a 10-match unbeaten run along the way.

Riley, though, admits they got carried away and they finished the term 16th.

And as Shrewsbury sit pretty – three points clear at the top – ahead of tomorrow’s home clash against Blackburn Rovers, he has reminded everyone to stay grounded.

“I have experienced it before when you have a good start to the season, and you kind of do get carried away,” he said.

“People were carried away and then I think we finished four places above the relegation zone, that was at Bury.

“We had a good start and we all thought we had cracked it, but we hadn’t.

“I have experienced both sides of it, and you have to keep your feet on the ground – take it game by game.”

Tomorrow’s clash with Blackburn is one Riley has been looking forward to.

He is a product of the academy of their fierce rivals Bolton Wanderers, where he made three senior appearances.

“They don’t like each other. It is two sleeping giants, really, outside the Premier League.

“Blackburn are a massive football club.

“They have still got some good players there, some very good names.”

Some of the names Riley is referring to are former Cardiff City midfielder Peter Whittingham and ex-Swansea City striker Danny Graham.

Both have plenty of top flight games under their belts, as has Telford-born Elliott Bennett while Charlie Mulgrew is a Scotland international.

“It’s a test to see how far we have come,” said Riley.

“It is always nice to play against good players, who could play in the Championship or maybe even higher.

“We’ve got to be bang up for it and I’m sure we will be.”

Riley is now in his second season with the club.

His first was marred by a series of injuries but he insists he feels ‘at home’ in Shropshire, even with all the changes to the squad over the summer.

“I feel at home. I know I have had my ups and downs with injuries but I have really enjoyed it,” said Riley.

“Last season was one to forget in terms of injuries.

“But that is behind me now and I am looking forward to, hopefully, having an injury-free season.

“There is a unit here now, a different squad to last year.

“I think that there is a lot more quality now.

“We are lot fitter and we are a tighter group – there is a lot more banter.

“There are more happier people in the dressing room, it is a good place to come and work now.”

A crowd of around 7,000 is expected for tomorrow’s game, and Riley has urged the fans to really get behind the Town players.

He added: “It’s not just because it’s Blackburn, it’s because we are winning games as well. Everyone wants to watch a winning team so hopefully we keep it up.”