![]() ![]() "They've found a good rhythm in how they play, they have a good understanding in terms of what they are doing. I don't think they've conceded three goals in a league game since August, and you'd argue that they have strengthened since then in the January window. "When you look at Shrewsbury, there are very few teams who have taken them to task and picked them apart. They are going to be a tough nut to crack, certainly. "They have some players who are powerful, they are good in transition, and they may well be relatively direct in the first phase. We know the test that is coming, it's not going to be easy, but equally we have confidence and belief in what we are trying to do. "The one thing I do want to point out about Shrewsbury is that they have the joint-third best defensive record in the league - they've conceded 40 goals in 42 games, so they are going to be really hard to beat. ![]() READ MORE: Sunderland midfielder Alex Pritchard is 'progressing well' but Leon Dajaku is back in Germany "If you look at Gillingham when they came here the other week, every point is crucial and they set up to be hard to beat if you are Shrewsbury, you can come and give it a go," said Neil. However the fact that the Shrews are effectively safe from the drop means they can afford to be more expansive than Gillingham were in Sunderland's last home game, when the relegation strugglers put 11 men behind the ball and defended for their lives before Nathan Broadhead finally found a way through in injury-time. Steve Cotterill's Shrews are sitting in lower midtable but they will be difficult to break down having conceded just 40 goals so far - with only automatic promotion contenders Rotherham (29) and Wigan (36) having conceded fewer times this season - and with former Black Cat Tom Flanagan at the heart of their defence. Sunderland go into the game on the back of an eight-game unbeaten run which has lifted them into the play-off spots, but they still have work to do to secure a top six finish. The Black Cats take on the Shrews at the Stadium of Light on Good Friday, looking to register a third league win in a row for the first time since September. ![]() Alex Neil expects Shrewsbury Town to be a 'tough nut to crack' as Sunderland come up against one of the tightest defences in League One tomorrow. ![]()
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