TOWN manager Paolo Di Canio hopes that Town can carry Tuesday’s winning momentum into the fixture with Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.
Speaking at Thursday’s press call, the manager admitted that the team hadn’t responded well after previous cup victories this season and warned that Shrewsbury would provide a stern test of his side’s mettle.
He said: “I hope that we can change because we have fallen down twice and I can’t imagine a third time that we fall down. The problem is not the professionalism the problem is that it’s normal for many players who play in the cup and do something good like we did last Tuesday, to adjust because for two days you wait for the draw then for another day you talk about the draw. It didn’t happen this week because they trained very well, the intensity was high but you never know.
“it’s no coincidence they (Shrewsbury) finished second (last season) because their organisation and quality were clear. They’ve changed a few players but the shape and system are exactly the same. They have more physical presence and they can cause problems so we have to be careful.
“If we play our football we can cause problems to anyone but more importantly on Saturday I expect to see that we have changed since the past in the way we approach the next game after doing well in the cup”
Di Canio reserved the final word for striker James Collins, who returns to the club he left in the summer to sign on the dotted line at SN1.
“It’s important that, if he plays, he can grow up as a footballer,” he said. “Sometimes you have to be careful because he is still young and uses a lot of his instinct but this is normal. I hope - if he plays a part - he will be cool and doesn’t listen to the opposition fans and players. That is important because through this moment you can improve as an athlete and as a professional.”