Crewe v Shrewsbury Town preview: Dealing with new expectations helping Nathanael Ogbeta get even better

Steve Cotterill’s men make the short trip to The Alexandra Stadium looking to close out a difficult, unprecedented campaign with a win, writes Lewis Cox.

Ogbeta, who recently turned 20, has been a ray of shining light in dark times for Town – mainly due to concern about the health of their absent manager.

Having checked in from Manchester City in January as a relatively unknown teenager, Ogbeta’s stock rose considerably as he took League One by storm, rapidly becoming his side’s chief attacking threat from left wing-back.

Assistant boss Aaron Wilbraham, who for many months carried the reins in Cotterill’s absence, told Ogbeta to ‘not become bored of being the best player’.

The youngster had played every minute prior to his late substitution against Ipswich on Tuesday and admits hitting his own standards has been a test.

“It’s been tough, at the start it was really positive, but now I’ve played more games and there’s been a lot more expected of me, which is good,” Ogbeta said.

“Football comes with pressure, but at the same time because I’ve got such a good group around me it’s made it a lot easier. The staff’s help has been good.

“It’s been difficult with the amount of games, but I feel it’s helped me grow as a person, take my recovery seriously, what I do off the pitch, what I eat really matters. It’s been really beneficial to push myself physically and mentally, now I know I can do so much more, play 90 minutes of running and pressing.”

He added: “This is what I’ve been working towards. Sometimes you’re working quietly at when it comes out in the open it’s like ‘wow – you can do this’.

“This is where greatness happens. I have to learn it’s not just for one or two games. If I want to be great it’s all about consistency.

“I had a good run, a couple of games on the scoresheet or assisting, but I hit a bit of a drought in a sense, so how do I pick myself up? This is how I learn and improve.”

Town make the short trip to Cheshire sitting 17th – a position they have occupied in League One for much of the last few months.

Cotterill’s men can finish the campaign in 16th with a win, assuming Burton lose at Oxford.

Crewe sit 14th and a win and favourable results elsewhere could take former Shrews defender David Artell’s side as high as ninth. They are comfortably the best achievers of the four clubs promoted from League Two last year.

The Gresty Road clash – hopefully the final competitive fixture Shrews play behind closed doors – is likely to see a number of first-team players make their final appearance for the club as the boss plans for a busy summer in the transfer market.

Shrewsbury trained on their Montgomery Waters Meadow pitch yesterday for the penultimate session of the season prior to tomorrow’s finale.

Cotterill will attend his third fixture since returning from illness but, as with the home fixtures against Oxford and Ipswich, he will watch from the stands rather than be present in the dugout as the boss continued his recovery.

Town are without youngster Charlie Caton for the short trip to Cheshire. Caton has not been involved since his full debut at Blackpool, due to a calf injury.

Fellow centre-forward Rekeil Pyke, who has not started in the league under Cotterill, is likely to miss out due to a similar injury.

Leon Clarke is still missing after a small back operation and is highly unlikely to play for the club again.

Harry Burgoyne will play his 23rd game of the season between the sticks for Town now Matija Sarkic has returned to parent club Wolves permanently due injury. Cotterill held talks with Sarkic prior to the 0-0 draw against Ipswich on Tuesday.

Young Town forward sensation Tom Bloxham, 17, is likely to remain part of the squad after impressing.