Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst happy with his strongest squad ever
Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst is ready to attack Town's promotion bid head on with the strongest squad of players he has ever worked with.
Hurst made the assessment after watching his side produce another late showing to snatch all three points in the final minute in a 2-1 victory at Bristol Rovers.
It was the first game since last week's transfer deadline and Hurst, who handed Sheffield United loanee Nathan Thomas a debut, believes the Town squad is at its strongest in his 16-month reign.
Toto Nsiala scored the dramatic winner, finishing off supreme wing-play by substitute Alex Rodman, after Omar Beckles' first goal for Town had been cancelled out by the hosts.
The boss said: "I don't expect any of them to be over the moon (at being left out). I left four players out of the matchday squad (Luke Hendrie, Joe Riley, Abo Eisa and Arthur Gnahoua) and we've got Dean (Henderson) suspended and Junior (Brown) injured.
"But this is us now. I have to say it's the strongest squad that I've ever worked with – so that's a great position to be in as we attack these 17 remaining games and last three months of the season.
"There's been a lot of progression at the football club since I've came in. The squad is a lot stronger. Last January, once we got through that, we were a lot stronger than previously.
"We started this season stronger and there's no doubt in my mind now, I think everyone would agree, that it's the strongest squad we've had and it bodes well for us.
"But there has to be competition within it, and there also has to be togetherness. I'm hoping that'll be the case. I'll do everything in my power to make it happen because that's important.
"Some lads not involved are still very much part of it. You can be the hero one week and the villain the next. I'm hopeful we can keep as many as possible."
Nsiala's header was the eighth time in all competitions this season that Hurst's men have scored later than the 85th minute. Seven out of those eight have been winners.
"It was no surprise there was another goal in the game," he added. "Both teams looked fit. We made positive substitutions. I'd have took a point but we don't set up for a point.
"We set out to win the game."
