End product is key for Shrewsbury Town speed demons
Paul Hurst is looking for his eye-catching speedsters to add end product to their game this season.
One of Shrewsbury’s new additions caught the eye during Tuesday’s Brackley Town defeat as Swansea City loanee Dan James peppered the hosts’ backline with driving runs.
James, 19, is on a season-long loan from Swansea and arrives with a lofty reputation. The winger played a big part in Swansea’s under-23s sailing to a Premier League 2 Division 2 title last season.
But Hurst insisted that end product is key – also including Town favourite Shaun Whalley in the discussion.
“He (James) did some things very well – at least he drove forward with the ball,” said Hurst. “There’s no doubt there’s work to do about the positional sense.
“When he got the ball he wanted to try and do something. I’ll give him a little bit of credit for that.
“But ultimately it’s that end product. You can run from one end of the pitch to another on a regular basis and never score the goal.
“I expect that will come – it’s just the decision-making.
“Shaun Whalley’s exactly the same, it’s about the right decisions at the right times, that’s the next level for Shaun, we know what he can do.
“He’s done very well for me and I’m sure he will do. But if he wants to take that next step then that’s what we’re looking at. Eye-catching players are great, but if you break it down what do they contribute? To be fair to Shaun he got most assists last season but I think he can improve.”
Hurst praised youth defender Christos Shelis, who featured for Town in Portugal and against Brackley.
The Cyprus under-17 international, 17, moved to Shrewsbury from Grimsby shortly after Hurst.
“He’s been excellent in training,” said the boss. “He’s a young player we’ve got a lot of hope in. He has a lot of ability and a fantastic attitude to it.
“He never shied away from getting involved and being on the ball – that’s what you look for.”
