Shrewsbury suffered a defeat at Wembley, but they are still in the race for promotion to the championship. Adam BATE caught up with Manager Paul Hurst to discuss the growing expectations being convicted of the League Leicester, and travel on Thursday in Bradford…
Victory for Shrewsbury against Bradford on Thursday night to accept two points of the top two teams in the League. Disposable favorites of departure continues to battle with Wigan and Blackburn to advance in the championship. The impossible is within reach. It’s just hard to think after what happened at Wembley on Sunday.
Shrewsbury were beaten 1-0 League two side Lincoln city at Checkatrade trophy final. This time the loser was wearing the tag of favourites, and he was sitting down. Boss Paul Hurst cloak was magnanimous in defeat, but too disappointed that his team were far from their best on the big stage. Now the challenge is how to raise them.
Bradford vs Shrewsbury
April 12, 2018, 7:30 PM
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The good news for supporters of Shrewsbury that in a strange way, Hurst was waiting for this moment all season. He was well aware that the time will come when players who have outperformed expectations should be removed. Before the resurrection, he emphasizes that he can use the results to motivate them, whichever way it went.
“I think it’s my nature,” he tells sky sports. “I’m a little more careful. For me it’s the right way to not to get carried away with yourself or the team. I was told that we can still mathematically be outside the top six, but I think we can now say that even in the worst case, we will participate in the League playoffs. Better I hope.”
The main Checkatrade trophy final between Lincoln and Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury came back early. They followed six of the nine defeats this season with a win, most recently a 3-2 win over Oxford last time in the League after losing to Rochdale. “Although I’m a big squad, we’ve been to a few that we might consider, so on the back of the game Rochdale it was a good win for us,” says Hurst.
“We were lucky with injuries in some way, and medical personnel was very good, but we were missing a few. Group know who the major players are, and that they will be failures, but those who were already in the team stepped up their game even more and those who came in and got a chance to get them.
“They were outstanding all season really and that’s a massive credit to them because more often than not we deserved the results we got. Sometimes you may be lucky, but I can’t think of too many examples. To go against Blackburn and Wigan with their resources, to be above teams like Rotherham and Charlton, it is a good achievement.”
Blackburn vs Peterboro
April 19, 2018, 7:30 PM
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It is an understatement. The double was a dream, but whatever happens, it will be better to finish the League club in 30 years. No wonder the road sign to climb on the ring street Shrewsbury stadium, say that Paul Hurst way. A lot of embarrassment Hirst. “I’m trying to take it as it is meant,” he says. “It’s a compliment.
“Someone told me that he actually came on Google maps. This is not an official name, that’s for sure. Ironically, the Council really had been in contact with the football club to tell them that if they want to sign the official, they should make a statement. This is all a bit too seriously to be honest with you. If he is still there, I’m not sure.
“When people say nice things or ask for a signature, nicely, because I’m sure there will be other times when they shout not very nice things or ignores me. So she accepts him as he is.” Other managers picking up on the popularity of the Hurst and growth expectations. “I told Neal Ardley after a very tough game against AFC Wimbledon,” he adds.
Key sky bet League game between Shrewsbury and Oxford
“We had a good conversation, and he was very free but he said I was making it more difficult for everyone else. The chairmen would say, ‘Well, if they can do it on this one. I said to myself when Leicester won the Premier League. Managers who said that they have no chance at a top-six finish suddenly, when people say, ‘look at Lester.
“So it’s probably not going to help. I don’t really think that this should be used to reinforce expectations. What we did is still possible, but it’s unusual. The more resources you have the more chances you have for success. That hasn’t changed. But for all the hopes and dreams, it’s a good story for the people.”
Now people want to know how the story ends. Leicester won the title, but it was not enough to keep Claudio Ranieri in the job for the next campaign. Hurst accepts the praise. “I guess the test will be next season,” he says. “If the dream happens and we have the ending that we all want, then we know that we are massively against him.
“If it doesn’t quite occur to us, and we are still in League one, this is when the real test will come, because there is no reason to think we won’t start the season in the same position as we started this one – trying to maintain our League one status. This may sound pessimistic, but the reality is that I don’t think the season will have to start.
“In fairness, I have to say that the President is very balanced. I think he understands. He was very pleased with each result, You do not dare to dream. Deep down, he understands where we are. He loves that it shows You don’t have to spend more money. He loves this story.
“His biography is that he made himself, through hard work and some reasonable solutions that he likes it. I think he sees something similar to me, and maybe we have some common ground there. I was raised in a Council house and so he was there are some shared values”.
It is clear that no one in Shrewsbury is samotalis. But the opportunity is still there and now. To beat Bradford at valley parade on Thursday and the next three games at home. Three of the next four games Blackburn away. It can still go to the wire. Shrewsbury will need these common values. Starting Thursday.
Don’t miss the sky bet League one clash between Bradford and Shrewsbury on Thursday night, live on Sky Sports and the main event from 7: 30 PM
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Sourse: skysports.com
