Paul Hurst: No time for Shrewsbury Town nerves following Walsall draw
Paul Hurst insists there is no time for nerves as Town fight for survival after accusing his players of running scared for an hour against Walsall.
Shrewsbury fought back to clinch a vital point through Stefan Payne's 70th minute header against their Black Country rivals after the visitors appeared comfortable with their 1-0 Greenhous Meadow lead.
With three games remaining in League One beginning with Monday's trip to Northampton, who are just four points better off, Hurst revealed he won't take nerves as an excuse and told his players they need a thick skin in the football industry.
The Shrews chief was critical of his side's opening hour against mid-table Saddlers, who led through Kieran Morris' first-half header.
"I was pleased with the response the players produced from 60 minutes onwards and disappointed with the first 60 minutes," said the boss.
"We never got going, to say it was a local derby we didn't win tackles and headers which are basics of football.
"I didn't think we were positive. When we can go forward we went backwards, we were just so slow.
"I praised them against Rochdale because they played without fear whereas today it looked the opposite for that period.
"Without sounding too harsh, I don't excuse nerves at this stage. That's part and parcel of being a footballer - you've got to handle it.
"Some of these players aspire to be higher in our league or higher still so the pressure increases further."
A passionate derby crowd of more than 6,800 backed Town as they looked the more likely to grab a crucial winner.
"The crowd here were excellent," Hurst added. "They didn't get on the players' backs, there were things but I wanted to shout things too! You've got to be able to take criticism, that's the job you're in - you've got to have a thick skin.
"I've just said to them there, if they haven't got that yet they've got to develop it quickly.
"It's a tough environment, people think it's a very cushy job. In some ways yes but in others it's not. A lot of people in normal jobs, whether it's someone coming up nudging you or shouting at you when you (journalists) are writing your stories, making it difficult.
"For players there are fans that can make it difficult - questions are asked of you all the time. The best players know how to deal with it or learn how to.
"I get there might be nerves but I can't just say 'oh that's alright, you were nervous and we've lost the game'."
