Paul Hurst's double act getting the best out of Shrewsbury Town says Mark Halstead
Goalkeeper Mark Halstead believes Paul Hurst and Chris Doig's 'good cop-bad cop' partnership is helping to get the best out of the Shrewsbury Town squad.
Salop's new management team took over almost three weeks ago and have made an instant impact on both results and the squad's morale.
Training sessions are said to have been cranked up with competition for places at the forefront of Hurst's mind as the boss heads into today's pivotal League One clash with Oxford United.
Hurst, who sits in the stand during the first-half of home games with assistant Doig in the dugout, has worked with the former Scottish defender since May 2014.
"They're very welcoming. They're very happy guys," said shot-stopper Halstead, who will continue in goal today in the absence of Jayson Leutwiler, who is on international duty with Canada. "You've obviously got a bit of good cop, bad cop in my opinion.
"It's early days with them but I've been very impressed and long may it continue."
When asked which of the duo was the 'bad cop' – Halstead smiled and added: "Take it how you want!
"But they obviously both demand high standards but from what I've seen in training, Doigy is the one that will step in and voice his opinion more clearly.
"He will demand a lot. I think that's what's needed to keep the lads on their toes and keep them fully at it all of the time. Which may have been lacking at times recently.
"I think it's what we needed and it's proved to be working well so far."
Former Blackpool keeper Halstead, 26, reserved praise for Salop goalkeeping coach Danny Coyne, who oversaw the club's transition and search for a new manager after the departure of Micky Mellon in early October.
Shrewsbury lost all clashes under the Welshman's stewardship, but Halstead is the latest to laud the popular coach for the work he put in behind the scenes.
"The way he spoke to the lads and the way we trained, he brought the enjoyment back in my opinion," Halstead said. "I thought he did really well. The results didn't show it but that's down to the players in my opinion."
Meanwhile, Leutwiler won his first cap for Canada against South Korea yesterday. He came on as a substitute with his team 2-0 down in Seoul, but kept a clean sheet in a goalless second half.
