Analysis: Shrewsbury Town can go on and etch themselves in history
Shrewsbury Town have enjoyed one of the most remarkable first halves of any season in their post-war history.
Comparisons have been drawn to the greatest Town sides ever as Shrewsbury continue to defy the odds and sit in the League One promotion places going into today.
How has the manager performed?
If Paul Hurst performed a miracle in keeping Shrewsbury in League One last season then it is a real struggle to think of a way to describe the first half of this campaign.
With his side tipped for the drop, Hurst quietly but confidently set on proving ‘experts’ wrong as he succeeded with a superbly blended squad, full of hunger, organised to a tee and with quality to boot.
His tactics, a 4-1-4-1 that opposition have struggled to figure out, has been a masterstroke and small but appropriate use of rotation has mostly worked in Town’s favour.
It will be little surprise when Championship clubs come knocking on the door.
Who’s the star player?
Jon Nolan. The creative midfielder has been a joy to watch. His effortless ability on the ball often stands him head and shoulders above a congested midfield.
But the former Chesterfield man is not alone in shining in blue and amber. Honourable mentions go to Dean Henderson, James Bolton, Ben Godfrey and Toto Nsiala.
Henderson has proved himself the best goalkeeper in the division, right-back Bolton has been a remarkable and consistent find from non-league, Norwich man Godfrey is a special talent for the future and Nsiala a defensive rock.
Who must do better?
Hard and almost unfair to say. Wingers Shaun Whalley and Alex Rodman have chipped in with a load of goals and assists yet you could still say final product can improve, if you were nitpicking.
Perhaps back-up players, such as Joe Riley, Bryn Morris, Louis Dodds, Arthur Gnahoua and Lenell John-Lewis could have pushed harder in competition, but how do you change a winning, odd-defying team?
What’s been happening in the boardroom?
After madness of a Lidl, safe-standing, Rod Stewart concert and a training ground-filled summer, it has been a little calmer.
Though Lidl is still at the forefront of plans with building work commencing. Safe-standing could be installed as early as January, a move that brings massive excitement.
There is the small matter of preparing for West Ham and the BBC cameras too.
At playing level it was a case of how much would Paul Hurst be backed in January?
The answer seems to be that he will be allowed to peruse the market and spend the club’s cash to grasp at the serious opportunity that has presented itself this season.
What must be done next?
Hurst needs to find an attacking left-back to help balance things up in Junior Brown’s absence, a winger that can take the workload of Whalley and Rodman and another forward who knows where the net is.
If not already, Town can then consider themselves real contenders.
The cups – beginning with West Ham’s visit next week – are a welcome bonus. Town should go all out to win the Checkatrade Trophy at Wembley.
Overall assessment
Fans are pinching themselves and in dreamland. Hurst’s work has been nothing short of astonishing and, with a a bit of luck and the right dealings next month, there is no reason why Shrewsbury cannot maintain and replicate their stunning first half of the season.
Grade: A-
