Paul Hurst tells Shrewsbury Town to enjoy big build-up
Paul Hurst has told his Shrewsbury players to embrace the Wembley build-up as Town prepare for Sunday’s Checkatrade Trophy final.
Town qualified for the showpiece against Lincoln by beating Yeovil last month but, with six crucial league games between thena nd now, Wembley talk was put on the back-burner.
But the Shrews chief now wants his players, who have taken 13 points from a possible 18 in the League One promotion race since securing their place in the final, to soak up the occasion and enjoy their deserved plaudits.
“In some ways (not talking about it was) more for myself and there has been no distraction,” said Hurst.
“Don’t anyone, if there are any question marks, say that Wembley had an influence on Friday (defeat at Rochdale). It didn’t.
“Praise the lads’ professionalism and application to our league campaign since we got to Wembley, it’s been top drawer.
“Now I want them to enjoy it. That doesn’t mean come in training and act like fools, but I want them to be able to talk about it and look forward to it, because it’s a good achievement.
“It doesn’t matter what competition it’s in, playing at the national stadium, the whole experience, I want them to soak it up.
“When the game starts we want to try and win the game.”
With his side sitting second in League One on an impressive total of 81 points, Hurst is fully aware that many more big days – including the possibility of the play-offs – lie ahead this season.
“While Sunday is a massive occasion, particularly for where it’s at, but we’ve got some massive games after that as well,” added the boss.
“We’ve perhaps secured a play-off spot (after Oxford), absolutely guaranteed I think we’re there now. Worst case we know there’ll be some big games to come.”
Meanwhile, Shaun Whalley insists wins are all that matter.
The winger netted twice in Monday’s win over Oxford but admits he would be happy to see promotion-chasing Town win even if he didn’t get on the scoresheet.
“The team is most important and everyone knows I work hard for the team, but the goals are an added bonus that helps the team,” he said.
“We just need to keep on winning.
“I thought we fully deserved the win, but it was a bit closer than we probably should have made it but we got over the line in the end and that’s the main thing.
“I thought it was a good performance, even though we made it a bit closer for ourselves in the end.
“I thought we dominated the first half, and I thought we were fully in our right to go into the break 1-0 ahead.”
