Changes could be made at Shrewsbury Town, says Paul Hurst

The Montgomery Waters Meadow chief was largely able – injuries aside – to use a consistent starting XI in the opening three months of Town’s high-flying League One campaign.

But after a run of one win in five league games, Hurst admits he has to give more thought and be open to the squad players that are pushing for starts.

He added that the regulars have been warned to look over their shoulders.

“I mentioned Bryn Morris and Louis Dodds at the hotel (before MK Dons) in particular, that they were unfortunate to miss out,” said Hurst.

“Lenny (John-Lewis) came on at Port Vale and he was as big an influence as anything else.

“That’s just a couple, there are more on the bench as well. It’s exactly what I’ve said to the players, earlier in the season no-one had much of an argument really because results were nearly always positive and performances were really good.

“Whereas now if someone comes and knocks on the door it’s a little bit more difficult and it’ll be more of conversation, certainly.”

Hurst explained that it works both ways, acting as an incentive for players to push for rare starts and as a motivation for those regular names to keep their starting place.

Only injuries to Junior Brown and Bryn Morris forced Hurst into changes earlier in the campaign. But with some of Town’s starting line-up struggling for form, the boss has options waiting in the wings. Bryn Morris, Carlton Morris, Dodds, John-Lewis, Arthur Gnahoua and Ebou Adams have had to bide their time this season and could be pushing the Town boss for a start.

He added: “That was said two-fold. One for the lads that aren’t in the team to understand and secondly for the ones that get the nod, you have to perform.

“At the minute I’ve got a few more decisions to make than what I had earlier in the season.

“I could almost drive home and know what the team was unless I got injuries and knocks, without giving it any thought, not just because we won but because of performances too.”