Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst up for September manager of the month

The Town boss looks favourite to win the September gong after guiding his side to 19 points from 21 available in the seven games last month.

The only time unbeaten leaders Shrewsbury failed to take all three points was when Blackburn Rovers struck an 84th-minute equaliser at Montgomery Waters Meadow.

Hurst goes up against Paul Warne, manager of his former side Rotherham, Blackburn chief Tony Mowbray and Bradford boss Stuart McCall for the award. The Town boss missed out on August’s prize despite his nomination, as Peterborough manager Grant McCann took the title. The winner will be announced on Friday.

Meanwhile, Hurst admitted his side’s successful three-man central midfield formation was rather stumbled upon this summer. The boss consistently used a traditional 4-4-2 last season.

He said: “The recruitment, in truth, was built on a 4-4-2 premise.

“As the recruitment unfolded it became clear we had players that could play a different way as well.

“Now we’ve got three midfielders in and one striker. A lot is said about systems, whether you say it’s a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-1-4-1 is very open to debate.

“It’s more just about players working hard, knowing their jobs and roles.”

Hurst signed a band of young, hungry players to boost his Shrewsbury squad this summer. But he also believes there is a youthful motivation among the management staff.

“What we have is a group of people that are all young and ambitious, currently working at the highest level we have done,” he said.

“We’re keen to see if we can progress further, hopefully with the club we’re at.”