Prior to last weekend’s opener in Shropshire, I came across a prediction made by former manager and font-of-all-knowledge Ian Holloway as part of Sky Sports build up to the new season.

He stated the League One new boys Shrewsbury would prove a stern test for the Lions, edging the fixture 2-1.

Unsurprisingly, Ollie was wrong.

After suffering at the hands of the Bristolian for most of the 2014/15 season, many of us at The Den take what he says with not just a pinch of salt, but a whole shovel-load.

He promised much and delivered little during his time in SE16.

Highlights include having a pop at supporters, signing the likes of darts player Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Stefan Maierhofer (again!) and hiding in the dug-out throughout his final game in charge, a thrashing at the hands of Norwich.

I have to admit I was seduced by Ian Holloway ‘The Brand’ when he first arrived, and I feel ashamed of myself.

It wouldn’t be beneficial to list all of his shortcomings now - I’m going away next Easter - but suffice to say he has masqueraded as a football manager for far too long.

Whereas Holloway tried to revolutionise the club, Neil Harris is going back to basics. He wants a youthful and hungry team that supporters can relate to and be proud of.

He cleared out 18 players during pre-season, showing he’s not afraid to wield the axe where necessary.

And although the return of Tony Craig and Steve Morison may resemble an episode of Long Lost Family, his desire to blood the youngsters is a far cry from the journeymen that have come and gone over the past couple of seasons.

Harris also wants to play 4-4-2.

Some say it’s an antiquated system. Give me that over ‘tika-taka’ any day.

And so to last Saturday and Shrewsbury Town.

If ever there was an opponent to make you realise you’re back in the third tier, this was it.

The Greenhous Meadow, apart from being grammatically inaccurate, is quite nice looking.

However, as with most new football stadia, it is particularly soulless and lacking in character.

The 1,500 or so away fans certainly generated a decent atmosphere.

One local endeared himself to visiting supporters by wearing a West Ham shirt in the home end. No doubt his mates’ deemed it an act of ‘top bants’.

Why anyone would want to wear the colours of a team not even playing at the time is beyond me, but then again this is the modern football fan.

As for the match itself, other than a brief five-minute spell when falling behind, I thought we were comfortable throughout.

Shrewsbury are no great shakes and we will come up against better opposition later in the season, but it was pleasing to see a Millwall team not completely crumble after going a goal down.

Under Holloway, we may well have gone on to concede again.

Our directness at times shows how Harris is keen to play this season.

If that means us being open at the back now and again then so be it.

One swallow doesn’t make a summer, but the early signs showed that this team will at least have a go.

Barnet tonight should be pretty straight-forward.

This weekend then sees the visit of former Northampton-based club Coventry City and a chance to kickstart our home form.

I’ll be honest, I have no idea who plays for them other than they’re managed by a pork pie…

See you Saturday. Up the Lions!

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