Shrewsbury Town come to the Rec tonight. Two Friday night kick-offs last season produced decent gates (and decent wins!) against Bury and Lincoln, and this Friday game is by way of an experiment. Last season's two Friday games saw an average of 4200 come along to watch, which if replicated tonight would be our highest gate for a non-local game this season.

The windfall from Joe Hart's progress at Manchester City, combined with the increase in revenue from the new ground, was fancied to give the Shrews the extra financial impetus to invest in the team.Four wins from their first five games certainly gave them the start they wanted but a defeat at Morecambe brought inconsistency that has seen them blast seven goals twice in a game, while losing to Accrington and, most recently, to Blyth Spartans in the Cup. Sitting in fifth place would have most clubs' fans thinking "that'll do, for now," but the expectations must be keener on Paul Simpson's shoulders and with better away form, the Shrews would be in an "automatic" place. The former Carlisle boss has proved to be shrewd and successful at this level, and willbe given the time to iron this inconsistency out.

Following their defeat at Blyth Simpson is expected to make changes. The former Everton junior forward Michael Symes has just joined Bournemouth on loan on what Simpson hinted was a "one out, one in" basis, but midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson will make his last appearance before going back to Reading, from whom they've had him on loan. David Hunt may return to the starting line-up after making it as far as the bench last Saturday. He has a topically powerful long throw which we can expect to see deployed at Saltergate if he starts. Ben Hird picked up a fifth booking at Blyth but is eligible to play tonight since a week has to elapse before such suspensions kick in. Luke Daniels may not be rushed back after missing games with a damaged thigh. Shane Sherriff will miss out with an infected heel.

For us, expect no change. Our creditable run continued last time out with a win over Mansfield in the cup and common sense would have it that only the possible reintroduction of Gregor Robertson to the starting line-up may be considered, but Alan Goodall has done all that could be asked of him, and more, in his left-midfield outings.

The 7.30 kick-off will be covered live on Spireites World for those, like me, who will be stuck at work!

SB