Expect the unexpected in Shrewsbury box office action movie

That’s the advice from Paul Hurst when asked to predict how the latest clash of his new and old clubs will play out, writes Lewis Cox.

While commenting on his love for the unpredictable nature of the beautiful game, there was one factor that Hurst could guarantee for Shrewsbury v Rotherham tomorrow – energy.

Hurst reckons it is the meeting of two of the league’s fittest sides. Led by two Millers stalwarts, two Pauls that used to combine down Rotherham’s left, now in opposition dugouts. Hurst v Warne. First v fourth.

Both Town and Rotherham have won praise for their relentless, sweat-inducing effort this season. Shrews had enough oomph to leave it late against the Millers last time – netting a 94th-minute winner with 10 men.

Will it be about who runs hardest this time around?

Hurst answered: “Both teams will be keen to make it difficult for the opposition to play.

“Often when you two teams that are similar-ish in some ways, and because it’s a game at the top end of the league, you can often not get the best spectacle in terms of free-flowing football. It might be one of those games. We’re never quite sure are we?

“If we go and watch a film and it’s a comedy then 99 per cent of the time it’s a comedy.

“If you’re going to the football then you don’t know what you’re going to get.

“If you want to know you’re definitely getting something then go somewhere else. That’s why we enjoy it a lot of the time and get frustrated at times.

“You never get certain of what’s going to be on show. It’ll be two teams that will give everything to the shirts.”

Stefan Payne’s last-gasp winner at the New York Stadium was a highlight of this odds-defying campaign.

While Shrews have continued their high-flying form, tomorrow’s visitors have kicked into top gear.

Unbeaten in 12 with five wins on the spin, Warne’s men have scored in 25 games running, stretching back to September 26.

“One thing you can’t get away from, when we lined up down there, I remember saying ‘they look a really big physical team’,” added Hurst, all-time record league appearance maker for the Millers, featuring between 1993 and 2008. “(They had) Some good athletes in good shape. That’s something we’ve had commented on from opposition.

“They looked bigger – it was one of the few times I felt we looked small.

“They’re full of energy. Knowing Warney and Richie (Barker, assistant) they will be fit. I think ourselves and them are two of the fittest in the league.

“And they play with an enthusiasm that Warney certainly had as a player. It’s no surprise they are doing well. The best teams work hard. It might be working hard in different ways.

“I can remember one of his first sessions and we played basketball in the gym. Naturally I’m not going to be very good at this and he’s not the tallest but he ran around and loved it.”

Asked about completing the double over his pal. Hurst smiled: “It’s the strange scenarios you get. In some ways if we were to lose a game I’d rather it be to someone like Warney. But at the same time you don’t want to lose to him!

“We’ll try and do everything we can to win again.”