Paul Hurst: Shrewsbury Town braced for Bolton backlash
Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Hurst has braced his side for a Boxing Day backlash as Bolton Wanderers seek to right an unlikely defeat.
Salop's festive hosts fell to a shock 1-0 loss at relegation-fighting Chesterfield last weekend, a result that kept Town inside the bottom four on goal difference.
It was just the Macron Stadium side's fifth league defeat of the season and followed a run of 12 wins from 14 games in all competitions.
While Phil Parkinson's side may face an uncertain financial future, their on-field prospects look bright and Hurst expects a response from one of the sides he expects to be challenging for an automatic promotion spot.
"I think it'll be two of Bolton, Scunthorpe or Sheffield United – that's my thoughts," said Hurst.
"Any slight knock-back will make them that bit extra determined to put it right, certainly in front of their own fans on Boxing Day which creates that extra special atmosphere.
"I don't think it could be much tougher but you want players that'll rise to those occasions and not go in their shell and hide.
"It's a game to look forward to as a player and me as a manager. I want to manage in front of big crowds."
Town can draw confidence from their previous League One trip, where they went to one of the pre-season promotion favourites and claimed an unlikely victory of their own.
The boss conceded that luck may have to play its part at the Macron as he dissected Bolton's quality. The former Premier League side have local lad and highly-regarded youngster Zach Clough impressing this season.
"I don't think they've got weaknesses," he added. "They're a really good mix, can be physical but also individuals that can create something from nothing and that's a very dangerous combination."
Town remain without AJ Leitch-Smith and Ryan McGivern, while Shaun Whalley returns to the fold and former Bolton starlet Joe Riley looks set for a place on the bench after a knee injury.
