Paul Hurst offers Shrewsbury squad a refresher
Paul Hurst hopes an early festive break has refreshed his Shrewsbury players – but warned them ‘they need to show they want to be here’.
Town have switched up their routine this week with the squad permitted some time away.
Boss Hurst is keen to tailor the approach of his demanding training schedule ahead of a busy Christmas and New Year period where his side face eight games in 31 days.
Town have lost three of their last four games heading into tomorrow’s FA Cup second-round tie with Morecambe, and Hurst wants his side to prove their worth ahead of the January transfer window.
“They got a bit of time away from the club,” said Hurst, “Looking at our schedule coming up, we’ve got a very, very busy December coming up, that goes into January. There’s quite a bit of travelling to do as well.
“We’ve got to be as fresh as possible. The pitches are getting heavier too this time of year.
“It’s trying to make the best decisions we can. There’s not one right or wrong way or we’d all follow that plan.
“Yes the players had some time away. We’ve had a bit of a different lead into the game.
“Trust me, that’s not taking this game lightly, it’s just a little change in what’s been the normal routine.
“So we’ll have had three days’ solid training going into the weekend.”
Hurst has revealed Shrewsbury face a defining transfer window in their quest for success.
He added: “That’s the time I can make some changes. A lot of them need to show that they want to be here and that they’re capable of putting in the performances that I want from them. Hopefully the lads want to be here and continue the good work done so far.”
Town will again call upon Craig MacGillivray in goal as Manchester United loanee Dean Henderson has not been granted permission to play by his parent club.
Meanwhile, Shrewsbury have appointed former Wolves coach Daniel Copnall as a new academy coach.
