League One boss makes ‘strongest team’ claim as ex-Sheffield Wednesday men score for Ipswich Town

Shrewsbury Town manager Steve Cotterill said Sheffield Wednesday’s promtion rivals, Ipswich Town were the ‘strongest team’ his side have faced this season, after two ex-Owls were on the scoresheet to register a 2-0 victory for the Tractor Boys.

Town kept up the pressure on the top two in League One with goals from George Hirst and Massimo Luongo, securing a sixth consecutive win that kept them two points behind second-placed Plymouth.

Cotterill admitted he was disappointed with the two goals his team gave away which he said were both “preventable” but went on to make a claim about the quality of the opposition.

“I think Ipswich are probably the strongest team we have played all season. They’re really too big a club to be in League One so it’s difficult to compete when you come to places like this. All in all the lads give what they can.”

He added: “When you come up against sides like that they can put five subs on and them five would probably get in our starting line-up and it’s a fantastic luxury.”

Wednesday’s draw with Bolton on Friday meant that Plymouth and Ipswich closed the gap, but the Owls have still played two games fewer than both and are a point ahead of second and have three points on third.