Saturday 15th March 2008

Kick-off 3pm

Former chairman Rob Bickerton, now MD at Shrewsbury Town, arrives at the Moss Rose on Saturday two days after having appointed a new boss in Paul Simpson. The former Carlisle and Preston North End manager will be looking at arrest the slide that has seen the Shrews slip out of contention in the League Two play-off race and in need of points to remove any fear of relegation.

KEITH'S THOUGHTS ON THE GAME
"Tuesday night's result couldn't have come at a better time especially given results elsewhere. But all that will mean for nothing if we don't follow it up with a performance against Shrewsbury. They will have been buoyed by the arrival of a new boss but it is up to us to ensure we address our woeful home form. Back to back wins we have only done once I think this year and that is something we have to aim for and put a smile back on the faces of the fans who have supported us at the Moss Rose this season."

OPPO's CURRENT FORM

The Shrews have won just three, drawn five and lost nine of their seventeen games on their travels so far, scoring 19 goals and conceding 31 in the process.

Beaten:

Lincoln (4-0), Wrexham (1-0), Accrington (2-1)

Drawn:

Stockport (1-1), Wycombe (1-1), Bury (1-1), Grimsby (1-1), Brentford (1-1)

Lost:

MK Dons (3-0), Chester (3-1), Darlington (2-0), Rotherham (2-0), Notts Co (2-1), Peterborough (2-1), Hereford (3-1), Bradford (4-2), Barnet (4-1)

LATEST ODDS

Bet365 make the Silkmen slight favourites at 11/8 to win the game. The Shrews are at 17/10 to pick up all three points with the draw at 23/10.

ONE TO WATCH - James Constable

The striker was signed from non-league Kidderminster in the January Transfer Window and has scored three goals to date, including two in a credible 3-3 draw with leaders the MK Dons.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE
Taking charge for this afternoon's encounter is referee Neil Swarbrick. The Lancashire official joined the league list back in 2005 and is currently enjoying his third season on the League list. We have encounter Darren of two previous occasions the last being for the visit of Grimsby Town to the Moss Rose.The Silkmen won that game 2-1, the same scoreline as Neil's previous visit to Cheshire for the game with Bristol Rovers in October 2005.

So far this season Darren has officiated in thirty two games, during which time he has issued 66 yellow and eight red cards. This includes Shrewsbury recent 4-2 defeat at Bradford City and their 1-0 win at Wrexham. away side has had by far the better of things with eleven wins to the home side's five.

PAST ENCOUNTERS

The Shrews make their ninth visit to the Moss Rose on Saturday having picked up just one win and one draw in the eight games played so far. Our very first encounter with them at home took place in March 1998 as we got ever closer to promotion. After Mickey Brown had given the visitors the lead the Silkmen responded with two goals from Leroy Chambers and Steve Wood.

The teams on display that day were as follows.

Macclesfield: Price, Tinson, McDonald, Payne, Ingram, Sodje, Askey, Wood, Chambers, Sedgemore, Whittaker (Philliskirk 75)

Subs not used: Howarth, Sorvel,

Shrewsbury: Edwards, Seabury, Hanmer, Wilding, Scott, Herbert, Berkley, White, Steele, Evans, Mickey Brown (Kerrigan 83)

Subs not used Blamey, Jagielka,

Bookings: Evans, Scott, White (Shrewsbury)

Attendance: 3013