Paul Hurst hopes Rochdale's slick surface will suit Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury chief Paul Hurst wants his side to take advantage of Rochdale's recently relaid pitch as Town visit Spotland tomorrow.
The League One strugglers, managed by Keith Hill, spent £500,000 to resurface the treacherous Spotland surface last month ahead of their glamour FA Cup tie with Tottenham, after Mauricio Pochettino claimed it posed a 'risk' to his Spurs stars.
Hurst has maintained this season that better pitches suit his side's playing style. The boss says the Montgomery Waters Meadow surface, which has been damaged after an unusually wet winter, has been unhelpful for his team.
"We hope it'll be a nice pitch as they had it relayed for the cup game," Hurst said.
"Before that I can remember driving down to Yeovil – I think Rochdale had the replay against Millwall – and the commentary team there were describing this pitch and all I could think was 'we've got to go there still'.
"That changed and it should certainly be in good shape, it looks it from what I've watched of them.
"If it is then we want to get the ball down play as much as we can."
Hurst has pointed to recent away displays at Charlton and Fleetwood, two of League One's better surface, to back his case.
Town still have a trip to Bradford to contend with. The Bantams' pitch is another in a poor state.
Asked whether the Spotland surface is an advantage for his side, he replied: "Yes I think so.
"I think our best performances, in general, have come when we've passed the ball.
"Despite the attributes people are giving us credit and praise for, I do think sometimes some of the parts that are good are overlooked slightly.
"There's no doubt to me we've played our best football when we've had better surfaces."
