Shropshire Star

Shrewsbury steer clear of spot-kick practice ahead of Yeovil semi-final

Paul Hurst has suffered penalty heartbreak before but has not ordered his Shrewsbury team to practice spot-kicks ahead of tonight’s semi-final showdown.

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The Town boss feels that taking penalties takes a certain character and will not force the task on to any unwilling participants should tonight’s Checkatrade Trophy semi-final with Yeovil end a draw.

Hurst missed in a play-off semi-final shootout as Rotherham were edged out by Leyton Orient. With that went a Wembley final.

“No we haven’t practised,” said Hurst, whose side prevailed to this stage after beating Blackpool 4-2 on spot-kicks in January. “We didn’t for the last round.

“I was listening to a podcast the other day about mentality and there were some studies on penalties. I got an interesting insight into a study which we could perhaps use but it didn’t involve anything to do with practising penalties beforehand.

“I missed one in a play-off game to try and get to Wembley and that still wrangles with me now. I remember how low I felt but it didn’t stop me standing up and taking one after that.”

Hurst has previously stated he feels more for his players that have missed after suffering the fate himself.

“Certain ones are comfortable with it certain ones aren’t,” he added. “When I arrived I was certain Louis Dodds would be a penalty taker. Then when you speak to him he doesn’t want to take penalties. It’s not always the obvious ones.”