Paul Hurst happy with Shrewsbury Town's progress
Boss Paul Hurst admits his Shrewsbury Town tenure could 'hardly have gone better' to date and is delighted with signs of positivity within his squad.
Town head into the Boxing Day clash at Bolton Wanderers knowing that just a point could get drag them out of the League One drop zone.
The Greenhous Meadow outfit sat six points adrift of safety when Hurst joined from Grimsby 59 days ago and had just fallen to a 4-2 home defeat to newly-promoted Northampton Town. Now just goal difference separates them and an impressive escape from the bottom four.
Hurst previously noted that the atmosphere in training was a little reserved and was keen to see an improvement in spirit and hoped the players' recent Christmas trip would help.
Hurst said: "It's been gradual, things do take time. Results-wise, without being silly about it, I don't think it could've gone too much better to date.
"I'm not too concerned about the league position at the moment, whether we're 24th, 23rd or wherever at this moment. It's more about concentrating and picking up points.
"In terms of spirit, getting messages across and things like that, there are signs it's starting to happen.
"Silly little things like when we were travelling back from the Millwall win, the lads were laughing on the bus – and I hadn't heard enough of that.
"I said it before I want it to be enjoyable. It's a lot easier when you win, of course it is, but the best teams in the world don't win every single week. (Training) is work But we make it as enjoyable as possible. I just see a bit more togetherness developing."
"We've been light on options and the lads have been coming off exhausted."
Town claimed three points last time out against Bristol Rovers without key trio Adam El-Abd, Gary Deegan and Ivan Toney, who were all suspended.
The skipper, midfielder and forward will also sit out the festive trip to Bolton as they complete their bans.
Jack Grimmer, Ian Black and loanee Sylvan Ebanks-Blake returned to the side and Hurst praised their impact, particularly that of Ebanks-Blake who had seen little action.
The ex-Wolves striker's loan deal from Chesterfield finishes in the new year.
"Sylvan and the lads that came in helped the team and the squad against Bristol," Hurst said.
"He's been great since I've come in. I'm sure he would want to have played more than he has. He's had a lot of time doing extra work in training with others that haven't featured much, so when they're called upon they can put in a performance like they did."
