Comment: Super Shrewsbury Town can be the headline act

Paul Hurst’s side should not have a hope in progressing beyond Premier League West Ham, but upsets happen in the FA Cup.

Town can spring another shock. The prospect will not daunt them.

All that will matter to Hurst is that his side do themselves justice.

They are fighting on two cup fronts and in the League One automatic promotion positions for a reason.

These players, who remember were tipped as relegation fodder, have morphed into a spirited, passionate, athletic, energetic and quality outfit.

They have showed each and every one of those qualities on almost every occasion this season and it is credit to all of the players and staff. They absolutely deserve this opportunity in front of the national television cameras.

The BBC clearly sniff an upset. With the return of Joe Hart and David Moyes, there are enough chapters to this Cup tale.

With the eyes of the nation peering down on Hurst and his side, Town must ensure they give everything in the tank and leave nothing out on the Montgomery Waters Meadow surface.

It is not an afternoon for regrets or ‘what ifs’.

Two divisions and a gulf in ability separates the clubs, but Town can more than make up for that with their energy, work rate and enthusiasm.

If Town perform near or at their best, then they have a chance at upsetting the odds and giving the cameras what they came for.

Hurst, like all managers, has a will to win. But if the boss is satisfied his side have given everything and an accurate representation of themselves, then he will be pleased.

West Ham, led by ex-Town centre-back Moyes, will almost certainly field a much-changed team.

That tilts things more in the home side’s favour. Without the likes of Marko Arnautovic and Manuel Lanzini the visitors will clearly not be as potent.

But the quality in their ranks should still be enough to dispose of Town. Shrewsbury have to catch the visitors cold and get among them. Let them know they are in for a cup tie.

Town enjoyed a memorable day or two in the FA Cup two seasons ago. The victory over Sheffield Wednesday was a Micky Mellon highlight. Unfortunately the Manchester United clash proved a damp squib.

That run came in a season of tough League One form. The Mellon era petered out and fans were less than pleased with constant chopping and changing, flirting with the drop.

Things look totally different at the Meadow now. A youthful, ambitious, forward-thinking manager has assembled a squad of similar nature and the season has been thrill after thrill.

There will be an FA Cup giant-killing story this weekend and high-flying Shrewsbury are determined to make it theirs.

West Ham’s hectic schedule has lowered the odds of an upset. Top flight bosses often chop and change for early rounds – but with three games in six days, you could not criticise Moyes for sending out a bunch of kids.

But the Scot will have more respect for the competition and his former club than to do that.

Hurst has suggested he does not want to be embarrassed in front of the national TV cameras. Moyes will also not want to be left with egg on his face.

He will remember the tie of 15 years ago, while in charge of Everton. The name Nigel Jemson and Gay Meadow setting probably still give him nightmares.

The players can write themselves into Town folklore tomorrow. The latest, and most exciting chapter yet in this most stunning of seasons.