Shropshire Star

Jon Nolan ready to repay faith shown by Paul Hurst

Jon Nolan's Shrewsbury Town career has begun with a flourish, but the stylish midfielder admits he’s still got some way to go to repay Paul Hurst’s faith.

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The red-haired midfielder has caught the eye of his new supporters with his creative skills on the pitch.

The 25-year-old wasted no time in showing the Town fans a glimpse of what he was about after signing a three-year Montgomery Waters Meadow deal this summer.

Hurst, who managed the midfielder during a successful spell with Grimsby Town, was backed financially by the club to prise Nolan from his Chesterfield contract – and for that the Huyton-born man is grateful.

He is confident in repaying Hurst and No.2 Chris Doig, continuing at AFC Wimbledon tomorrow, as he carries the belief that they bring out the very best in him.

“I worked with the gaffer before and when I got the phone call there was nowhere else I was going to go,” Nolan said.

“I enjoyed my time with them previously and hopefully we can bring the same success this season. I think they probably do bring something extra out in me. It’s probably the best spell of my career (with them) playing the best football I’ve ever played.

“I’ve started off well here and it might be down to little Paul.

“It’s good for them to put that trust in me and hopefully I can repay them with my performances on the pitch.”

It didn’t take long for the blue and amber faithful to draw comparisons to a former ginger-haired midfielder who strutted his stuff at the Meadow.

Ryan Woods may have brought a different style to Nolan’s gliding midfield runs, but the Brentwood man, who departed in 2015 after coming through the Shrewsbury ranks, has certainly set a benchmark.

Nolan smiled: “I’ve heard this a few times but I think it’s just because of the red hair isn’t it?

“I’ve never seen him play to be honest but I’ve heard he’s a good player. A few of the lads say he’s the best player they’ve ever played with...so I’ll take the comparison then!

“Fingers crossed I can be successful here and who knows what could happen.”

Tomorrow’s hosts Wimbledon got their season under way with an encouraging draw at Scunthorpe United.

The Dons have an age-old reputation of mixing it up physically – and Nolan agrees, adding that if Town can get the ball down they can enjoy some success.

And while Nolan may not be the stockiest, his two red cards and nine yellows last season suggest he is up for the fight.

Continuing with the hair theme, Hurst compared the Merseysider’s tackling ability to that of Manchester United legend Paul Scholes.

“Wimbledon will be a tough place to go. I think it’ll be a bit of a battle,” Nolan added. “If we can come from there victorious it’ll set us up very well for the season.

“I didn’t play against them in non-league, I played against them with Chesterfield last season and it was a pretty ugly game.

“They were all about six foot five but if we can come through the battle then our football will show.

“I definitely don’t hide from a battle. I like a tackle whether it’s late or not, I won’t shy away from it.”