Paul Hurst outlines 'greatest achievement' of managerial career

After 14 league matches, Hurst’s side sit second-from-bottom in the standings with a return of eight points, and have conceded 25 goals.

Hurst has previously enjoyed success with Salop, having taken the club to the League One play-off final in 2018, and saving the club from relegation twice – during his first season in charge, as well as last season.

But, asked where saving Shrewsbury this season would rank in his achievements, the Town head coach said: “I think it would be arguably the best because of what I believe.

“I think it would be right up there.”

Hurst also admitted that it has been his toughest season as a manager, adding: “Yes, in a lot of ways of course.

“But if you’ve been in it as I have for some time, you have those spells, you have those times that are tough.

“I think that this is the toughest challenge that I’ve had as a manager in terms of where I believe we are as a football club compared to where a lot of the opponents are in the league.

“That’s not a criticism of ourselves or anything like that because I’m very proud to be working here.

“The chairman knows how I feel about him, and I think even the fans and all of that, I love working here. I love this football club.

“But at the minute, it’s tough, and I think there’s a lot of people out there that actually do understand it.

“At the same time, it’s difficult because you come with hopes each game that you turn up to, and if you keep getting knocked down, it’s harder to get up sometimes.

“I think being through that and with the way that I am and my character, I keep getting up. But, I understand if some other people, perhaps you know, don’t want to.”

Supporters made their thoughts known after full-time whistle as Shrewsbury failed to score for the third league match in a row, and for the sixth league game in their last 10 outings.

Town’s only League One victory of the last 10 games – one of only two all season so far – came against fellow-strugglers Crawley Town.

“Overall we would’ve wanted to have more points,” added Hurst. “I look at other teams whether it’s in our division or above who are placed much better than us but are having some struggles.

“That can be life in football because sometimes things don’t go as you want, sometimes things don’t make sense, and sometimes things are really tough.

“There’s no doubt about it, that’s where we’re at, the latter of those three.

“It’s about fighting and that’s where I wanted to see more of that.”