Northampton clash made me fearful of Shrewsbury Town job - Paul Hurst
Paul Hurst has urged his side to banish 'dreadful' memories from the reverse clash with Northampton – claiming the performance made him fear taking the Town hotseat.
Shrews' 4-2 Greenhous Meadow reversal on October 22 was the final game before Hurst's appointment and a low point amid a dreary start to the campaign.
An odious atmosphere at the Meadow jeered Town off that day as the crowd demanded answers from the Town hierarchy, who two days later appointed Hurst.
Ian Black, George Waring and Ivan Toney all started that afternoon, while Antoni Sarcevic came from the bench at half-time. All four have since been let go or had loans end under Hurst.
"There's been a big difference, a massive difference," said the boss, whose side could open up a five-point gap from the drop with a win at Sixfields today.
"That was certainly one of the games I looked at as I was coming in and some of the things that happened in that game that were dreadful, in truth.
"I think (it was a shambles) from some players. I don't think from the staff, I've got to know the staff well now and I don't think they were being very professional in their approach to everything.
"But they were being let down at the time and that was an element of fear going into the job, having seen that, but at the same time once I've come in then it takes all excuses away from the players.
"Not all of them, but some of them have grown. Others were still trying to do things right but it's a team game and if all 11 out there aren't pulling in the same direction then things like that can happen.
"Some have stayed and some have moved on. We're big believers here in attitude and if you've got that – and across the group – you give yourself a great chance of achieving success."
Shrews have won just three league games on the road all season but the Cobblers are winless in five.
They whimpered to a 3-0 defeat at Millwall on Saturday, but Hurst believes Justin Edinburgh's side had half-an-eye on today's crunch clash.
"I think they'll make one or two changes," Hurst added. "I've got a feeling they'll identify it as a game where they can put it (survival) to bed."
