Our defence gives us a chance, says Shrewsbury's Shaun Whalley

Town, who boast the second meanest defence in League One behind today's hosts Wigan, are tasked with trying to keep out the free-scoring Latics at the DW Stadium.

Shrewsbury have conceded just 14 times in the league this season, two more than Wigan, and Whalley – who notched Town's opener against Portsmouth on Saturday after missing a penalty – was keen to pay tribute to his team-mates.

"They were outstanding – what can you say about them?" Whalley said of Town's backline.

"The proof is in the pudding, basically, with how many goals we've conceded so far this season.

"It's the whole team (that defends), but the back lads and Deano (Henderson) have been outstanding and credit to them.

"Games are going to be tight. It is a bonus that we can look solid and stay compact, not letting teams score a lot of goals against us.

"Hopefully I'm saying this and Wigan don't put a cricket score on us!

"Obviously they're favourites but if we can stay in the game then we've got a chance of getting something."

Shrewsbury have kept nine clean sheets from 23 league games this season and conceded more than one goal in a league game just once, against Rochdale in August (3-2 win).

Whalley added, while League One's game of the day with first hosting second might attract the headlines, that the whole season does not ride on the outcome of today's game.

The eight-goal winger said: "It's a long old season and there's plenty of points to play for after today.

"We're not going to get carried away if we go there and get a win or if we get beat. We'll just move on to the next game which is Southend a couple of days later.

"It's a busy schedule around this time so we need to move on from games very quickly."