Shropshire Star

Paul Hurst eager to see if Shrewsbury Town can write their own fairytale

Paul Hurst is eager to discover if Shrewsbury can write their own fairytale this season after opening League One five games unbeaten.

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But the Town boss insisted his job is to guard against getting carried away as his side secured a fourth win in five league games by winning 2-1 at Gillingham.

Carlton Morris and Alex Rodman both struck their second goals of the season in the first period at MEMS Priestfield, but Hurst was left a little concerned with his side's second-half display as the hosts halved the deficit late.

Shrewsbury sit second in League One and the boss keen to find out what his side can achieve.

"It is managing expectations, yes," said Hurst. "But at the same time I was keen myself to raise expectations and standards.

"I came to the football club and we managed to survive but just generally, there seemed a feeling of 'oh if we go down then we go down' and 'we're never going to be that good'.

"I want us to try and raise the bar but the danger is getting carried away. As you might sense from myself that's not in my nature but you know what fans are like – they love their football club.

"They want the best from it and at the moment it's going extremely well.

"There are dreams and fairytales that happen in football and if you can be one of those involved in it then all the better.

"We'll keep pushing and working hard and see where it takes us."

Town's flying start has already seen their boss linked with a vacant job, with reports suggesting he was in the frame for Northampton Town appearing on Friday.

But Hurst reaffirmed his commitment and focus to maintaining the standards of his high-flying charges, adding his relief at the closure of the transfer window.

"Someone mentioned it but realistically I saw about 50 managers linked with it," he said.

"There's about 50 managers that are out of work and obviously I'm one in work.

"I'm pleased that the window's closed. That's one thing, the players aren't going anywhere, certainly until January.

"But there is an opportunity for them to showcase their talents. If they're doing that then naturally that's good for a manager.

"I'm very much focused on trying to keep this group motivated and pushing forward to see where they can go."