Shropshire Star

We're living within our means – Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Hurst

Boss Paul Hurst has succeeded in balancing the books at Shrewsbury as well as sending them to the top of League One.

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Hurst praised the football club for 'living within their means' after spending to bring in five new additions this summer, as he revealed the wage structure is a lot more secure following the first summer of his regime.

Town are three points clear at the top of the third tier and only side still unbeaten heading into today's clash at Oldham.

Most of Hurst's additions since taking charge have been a success, while the boss also managed to ship out the likes of Adam El-Abd, Ryan McGivern, Jim O'Brien, Olly Lancashire and Gary Deegan during a busy window.

"The chairman and the club have backed myself but at the same time on the flip side we're still very much living in our means," said the ex-Grimsby chief.

"The packages that we're putting together are sensible. Without giving too much away, the wages I inherited has swung around a little bit.

"It's balancing that out. As a club we're trying to move forward and I think we're all on the same page in trying to do that."

One of the summer captures, defender Omar Beckles, cost the club a six-figure fee but is yet to break into Town's starting line-up.

Popular midfielder Jon Nolan, full-back James Bolton, striker Stefan Payne and centre-half Zak Jules also cost Shrewsbury fees.

The boss added: "The way that I am, if you're given any money to spend then you do feel that you've got to do it wisely.

"We were joking the other day about Omar. We spent money on him and at the minute he's had very little game time. I'm sure that'll change at some point and I don't feel we've made a mistake.

"He's not not playing because I'm thinking 'we need to wait to January and get him out on loan', I'm sure he will be a good addition.

"I do treat it (money) like mine, to a degree. I respect the fact that someone's putting their money on the line and I try and make the best decisions that I can.

"I do feel, while every manager might say that, there is some out there that just don't care and will not do the research on players or just say 'let's get him' without enough thought."