Paul Hurst: Underdogs should inspire Shrewsbury Town players
Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst is hoping to inspire his players by using last season's 'year of the underdog' to prove that hard work pays off.
The Salop manager, who was appointed after leaving League Two Grimsby, is well-known for working players hard and pointed to successes of other clubs last season in defining the importance of hard work.
Hurst noted Leicester City's dramatic Premier League win, while also pointing to then-League One rivals Burton Albion – who went up automatically – and play-off winners Barnsley, who turned their season around after sitting bottom of the table at Christmas. "100 per cent I buy into having a hard working squad could win you more points. What I don't want to do is be accused of saying that the players aren't fit enough," said the boss.
"I want them to work hard and from my point of view – hard work is a basis for any team to be successful.
"Leicester's the most obvious one. It strikes a chord with me and my career so that will be a message coming from myself and Chris as well.
"Hecky (Paul Heckingbottomg) did a great job when he took over at Barnsley and Nigel (Clough) did the same over at Burton and look at them this year.
"I've watched them twice on TV and the thing I came away from it with was that they worked their 'so-and-so's' off."
Hurst added that work rate is not only required when a team are chasing the ball.
He said: "I don't 100 per cent buy into the thing that you have to work harder without possession.
"I think it feels harder work but if you've got a lot of the ball and you're a full-back getting up and down the pitch, that's tough."
