Shrewsbury's Omar Beckles is chasing a ‘big scalp’ in Portsmouth

After spending almost the entirety of last season in the top three, the defender believes Town must go from the hunted to the hunters in League One.

Beckles acknowledges that Shrewsbury were a target for most clubs in the division last season and, this time out, must go and overturn the odds in this second-bottom versus second-top clash.

The former Accrington man, who earned a place in League One’s team of the season last term, is expected to continue at left-back tomorrow for John Askey’s men.

“We’re looking forward to the game and hopefully we can turn it around on such a big occasion,” said the 26-year-old.

“Whenever I’ve been there, it’s been a tough place to go.

“It can be intimidating at times, but I feel like we’ve got a good bunch of lads. Hopefully we can rise to the occasion.

“Sometimes I think it’s good to into a game really as the underdog. You’d like to thing we are the underdogs again so hopefully we can do really well.

“There’s nobody to be afraid of. Yes, we have made a lot of changes to the team but we’ve recruited well.”

Hosts Pompey are expected to welcome a boosted attendance after a flying start to the season.

Kenny Jackett’s men, who are without top scorer and Republic of Ireland under-21 man Ronan Curtis, have won five and drawn one from six this term.

“When seasons start, the in-form teams go straight to the top,” Beckles added.

“It’s always the underdogs that look at that and think ‘this is a scalp’.

“It’s a chance to prove a point and we were that last season, we were the scalp along with Wigan and Blackburn.

“That’s what Portsmouth are going to have to deal with.”

Shrewsbury, without a win in the league this season, are on a fine run of five victories against Pompey.

The most recent, coming in January, saw Paul Hurst’s men clinch a backs-to-the-wall success with James Bolton – who is a doubt for tomorrow with a hamstring complaint – scoring an early winner.

Beckles featured for non-league outfits such as Hendon and Aldershot before his late rise into the Football League and has never been one to shy away from being ambitious.

Asked if he thrives on such a stage, he responded: “I do, because all of us want to be playing at the highest level.

“I think they’re one of the few clubs at this level that creates an atmosphere that isn’t really of this level.

“It really is a Championship club with the history they’ve had, being a Premiership team. They’re a massive club for this level.

“It’s a stage a lot of us look forward to.”

Beckles, a centre-back by trade, has again found himself out at left-back in recent games.

He continued: “It’s only going to help me. It’s only going to benefit me, with the way the game is going these days – teams playing with three at the back, wanting centre-backs to be versatile and better on the ball.”

Pie and a pint

The Good Companion pub is popular with away fans. It is located five minutes from the ground on the A2030 and has a good mix of ales. Pies are £3.50.

Memory lane

A Bobby Grant goal either side of half-time earned Micky Mellon’s promotion-hunting Town a fine 2-0 win at Fratton Park in front of 14,749 in March 2015.

Shrewsbury key man

Omar Beckles

A test at left-back up against lively Pompey flier Jamal Lowe. Beckles will need to stand up to the challenge.

Portsmouth dangerman

Jamal Lowe

Portsmouth are unfortunate to have top scorer Ronan Curtis away with Republic of Ireland Under-21s, so the onus is on former non-league starlet Jamal Lowe to make the difference. After joining from Hampton & Richmond Borough last summer, the 24-year-old winger netted nine last term and is lively on the right.

Predicted line-ups:

Shrewsbury Town (4-3-3): Coleman; Emmanuel, Waterfall, Sadler (c), Beckles; Grant, Laurent, Norburn; Whalley, Angol, Gilliead.

Subs: Sears, Docherty, Gnahoua, Okenabirhie, Amadi-Holloway, John-Lewis, Arnold (gk).

Portsmouth (4-2-3-1): MacGillivray; N Thompson, Burgess, Clarke, Brown; Naylor, B Thompson; Lowe, Evans (c), Green; Hawkins.