Paul Hurst won't be fazed by Shrewsbury Town relegation fears
Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Hurst has promised Salop supporters that he will not be daunted as he attempts to lift the club's fortunes.
Hurst, who was appointed to the Greenhous Meadow hot-seat following Micky Mellon's exit, finds Shrewsbury bottom of League One – six points adrift of safety.
But, having worked in management at various levels and clocked up nearly 500 games as a player, Hurst is confident that he has seen enough in football to help Salop ease any drop-zone fears.
"In time you get to know exactly what you want and how you want to work," said the 42-year-old.
"I think people think if you've played football, then you'll just be a manager. And that's far from the truth.
"It's been a good learning curve for me. I've been in a lot of situations – as a player as well – so I've seen most things.
"I don't know if there's too much that will be too daunting."
Hurst and his former joint-boss Rob Scott built-up impressive CVs in non-league management, guiding both Ilkeston Town and Boston United into the Conference North, now the National League North, in successive seasons.
The Sheffield-born full-back was a fiercely competitive player, spending 15 years with Rotherham United where he became their second-highest appearance maker.
But five years with Grimsby Town – where he took the Mariners to the play-offs on four occasions – was where Hurst really made his name as a boss.
And the new Salop chief insists he understands supporters' expectations, as he was deemed to have failed after suffering play-off heartbreak, despite finishing inside the Conference's top five.
"We had successful seasons at Grimsby," Hurst added. "But because the ultimate target was to win promotion, in some quarters they were seen as a disappointment in terms of the final outcome. Over the course of the season it'd been successful.
"I think we achieved the main target in getting back to the Football League. I don't know, maybe it felt like it was time for a fresh challenge.
"As a player, I've won promotions and suffered relegations. I've experienced most things.
"I've been lucky to manage and play at the national stadium – albeit the old one – so I've experienced a lot.
"But I'd still class myself as a young manager and hope that this will be my job for a long time to come."
