John Psaras: My mate Paul Hurst is a perfect fit at Shrewsbury Town
One man who didn't bat an eyelid when Paul Hurst landed the Shrewsbury Town job last week was John Psaras.
Prior to the Yorkshireman accepting the vacant Greenhous Meadow position, there were not too many Salopians familiar with the 42-year-old.
But former AFC Telford United No. 2 Psaras has worked closely with Town's new chief for the past few years and expressed his delight at Town's appointment.
Psaras had been carrying out opposition reports and match analysis for League Two Grimsby Town under Hurst.
"Paul will do well with Shrewsbury," said Psaras. "I have total confidence in that.
"I think it's a very good fit. I would've said to him if I didn't think it was the right job. But it is the right job for him.
"The club have a great ground, a great infrastructure, great fans – I'm always made to feel welcome there.
"Paul has been around a long time and he is such a hard worker. You always knew you would be in a game against his teams.
"I'm really happy with it. Paul is steady. He's methodical. He knows his players and he knows what he wants and how to set them up.
"You don't get to play-off finals year after year in the cut and thrust of the Conference without having that. His teams were always well organised, resilient when defending things like corners and crosses. It didn't surprise me he used the word resilient (after the game). He will have them organised and stop them conceding cheap, early goals."
Psaras, a well-known figure in Bridgnorth having owned a chip shop for two decades, worked under Andy Sinton for three years at Telford in 2010 following 18 years of service at Walsall's academy. And it was during his New Bucks Head spell that an unlikely friendship with Hurst was born.
"We'd have a drink and a chat with every manager after games," said Psaras, who has recently ended a four-month spell in charge at AFC Bridgnorth.
"We just hit it off and kept in touch. I started doing Grimsby opposition reports for him going to watch the likes of Forest Green, Altrincham, Wrexham and Chester.
"We still speak every week.
"I remember Paul back with his time in Boston in the old Conference North.
"He was very vocal there with Rob Scott (former joint boss). Paul's done it the hard way. He's earned his stripes!
"It was a no brainer for him. It's the next step.
"Grimsby are a big club, but Shrewsbury have the stadium and the infrastructure.
"They have the potential to be a very good League One club. Look at the likes of Goldson and Woodsy that have moved on, now they have Ethan (Jones) there – who is going to be a star.
"They know how to develop players and have a big future
