Straight Shrewsbury talking from Paul Hurst
Two Thursdays ago, Shrewsbury Town supporters were able to breathe a huge sigh of relief at a fans' Q&A as Paul Hurst banished rumours that he was off to join Rotherham in the summer.
How much weight is – or was – behind those rumours remains to be seen. The Millers, where Hurst is a legend having made 497 appearances – just nine shy of the club record – are set to topple into League One next season.
Yet Town's exciting manager has, on numerous occasions, stated that he's building at Greenhous Meadow for the long haul. His sole focus is on keeping the club up, but there'll be a bit in the back of his subconscious plotting next season.
The cynics will argue that of course he'll commit at a fans' Q&A – what else is he going to say?
Well Hurst has proved an honest man thus far. We have the delight, in the press, of dealing with him each week and every word is meticulous, truthful and transparent.
He described himself as a man that tells it like it is after arriving from Grimsby Town in October.
Hurst led Grimsby to promotion from the National League in his fourth full season as boss last year. A sun-kissed day at Wembley, immediately after the euphoria, the ex-full-back's words were telling.
"It's only a minority, but we've had our doubters," he said.
"There'll be a lot of them on the bandwagon tonight and wrongly so. I hope the ones who've been with us have a great night, but let's not kid ourselves. Some have have been out of order throughout the season."
I asked Hurst what he made of his fleeting relationship with the Shrewsbury Town faithful.
"The way that I am," he said. "I will upset some but I think, in general, certainly with people I meet, I'd like to think we get on.
"Certainly I'd like people to say I'm a decent enough person, which I believe I am!"
A frank manager, who doesn't simply spout from the book of football clichés, is refreshing.
He continued: "I'm just quite honest in my views. In relation to problems I've had in the past, people don't like to hear what you've got to say back to them.
"Ultimately, I accept I'm in a position, as the players are, where you're going to get some comments hurled at you, or abuse at times unfortunately.
"Even then, you have to take it. It's funny that if you say something back, or give your side of the story, they don't want to hear it.
"I don't see what the issue is there. If you're going to dish it out then at least be willing to have a discussion. That's just the way I am.
"It's not meant to be rude or anything like that.
"I'm just giving my honest view on it...when we've got beat and when we've won."
