Paul Hurst relishing Shrewsbury survival battle
Paul Hurst is relishing the challenge of Shrewsbury Town's survival battle, according to one of his close associates John Psaras.
The ex-Grimsby chief is taking his side to battle at Bristol Rovers today after passing five months in the Greenhous Meadow hotseat.
Following a fine run of form at the turn of the year, Salop's winless run of four games sits them just one point above the drop with seven games remaining in a season that finishes on April 30.
Psaras, former AFC Telford interim boss and long term ally of Hurst, regularly watches games under instruction of the Town boss and has not been surprised with the positive influence Hurst had at the Meadow.
And the former Walsall coach backed Hurst to continue to get maximum effort out of the squad.
"It was always going to be a tough ask but he's done a smashing job," said Psaras, who works in Bridgnorth.
"He's an organiser. He makes players work hard and he makes players do what he wants them to. Having the right attitude is a prerequisite of his and we've seen the fruits of his labour. Whether you're battling at the top or bottom of divisions, you're always battling."
Following today's visit to 10th-placed Bristol's Memorial Stadium, Hurst's charges face six games against sides between 6th-14th in League One. Psaras added: "It is a tough run-in but they have a game in hand on teams above them.
"In effect it's still in Paul's own hands. He'll be relishing it, he works so hard and so does his assistant (Chris Doig) on the training pitch. They're always at games watching players."
Psaras has visited Tranmere, Milton Keynes and most of in between while taking in games for Hurst over the last few months, the duo previously worked together as Psaras served Hurst as Grimsby boss.
Their relationship dates back to Psaras' position as Telford No.2, where he'd face Hurst's Boston and Grimsby sides.
"Paul has his scouting networks and sends them to games to get reports on players, we provide information and ultimately he makes decisions," added Psaras, who watched at least one of Town's January additions.
"He has his ethos on how to run a club. Recruitment is very, very important, technically and having the right attitude, being workmanlike.
"I imagine everyone at the club in the boardroom is very happy with how he's done."
