Comment: Successful January leaves Shrewsbury Town stronger

Paul Hurst had a fantastic transfer window. He enjoyed mightily successful deadline day dealings that left his blue and amber squad in a far stronger state than on December 31.

Aside from the month’s five new captures, the biggest relief was keeping hold of some of the stars that had helped elevate Town to a promotion push.

Jon Nolan was reported to have been courted by Norwich, while Ben Godfrey’s form also had him in demand and Town had to work to extend his loan from the Canaries.

There was uncertainty regarding Dean Henderson’s Manchester United future, which could have had a domino effect on his loan at Montgomery Waters Meadow.

Thankfully the trio, and others who have played key roles this season, are still Shrewsbury players and remain fully focused on replicating their League One heroics so far.

Hurst and Town headed into deadline day with just two signings from the month, both in defence, leaving an already rigid and sturdy backline well stocked.

Max Lowe, on loan from Derby, was first in and left Town fans breathing a sigh of relief as a left-back came through the doors. Junior Brown has been missed greatly and, despite the excellent work of Omar Beckles, it was a boost to have some natural balance back.

He was followed swiftly by Luke Hendrie, signed on a permanent from Burnley with a terrific reputation having shone with Bradford on loan this term.

Hendrie came with that ever-impressive versatility tag. Not just a right-back, but also capable on the left side and in midfield. He was keen to suggest it is not ‘jack of all trades, master of none’. In his brief opportunity so far he has shown excellent potential, as well as a fine character in interviews.

Town were undoubtedly stocked in defence. Leaving fans praying for attacking additions.

Names were linked but busy Town had to focus on three fronts, extending their promotion bid as well as West Ham in the FA Cup and the Wembley trail in the Checkatrade Trophy.

But the search went on until, as ever, to deadline day when all the pieces generally fall into place.

Hurst had said all month he wanted a couple more attacking faces in.

As the days went by, fans got more and more – understandably – concerned about the lack of movement.

No striker arrived, as Hurst hinted would be the case, but what did come is a plethora of ammunition to leave Shrews looking far more likely to pierce holes in defences.

But deadline day served up a treat as, unlike last summer when Hurst missed out on Sheffield United’s Nathan Thomas, the boss was left smiling. Thomas was not the first move of the day.

That honour went to Abo Eisa. A 21-year-old Sudanese youngster from London. A semi-pro playing in the sixth tier, making the step up. It felt like a Hurst signing.

After first asking ‘who?’ fans got excited when they saw the speedster’s highlight reels doing the rounds on the web.

Then came Thomas, 23, on loan from Bramall Lane. A higher-calibre player, with ability to boot. Make no mistake – this is Town signing a match-winner and one with the potential to really crank Shrewsbury up a notch.

Not satisfied, there was still time – just about – to bring in goalscoring midfielder Sam Jones, 26, from Grimsby. A player possibly in the ilk of the departed Louis Dodds, another player hungry to prove himself.

Hurst covered all bases, and then some. He has given himself headaches with this squad bursting from back to front. Town are now in a much better place.