Bernard McNally: Paul Hurst’s Shrewsbury seem to relish big games
Imagine if at the start of the season we had predicted Town would have a FA Cup third-round replay at West Ham and second versus third clash with Blackburn!
Nobody dreamed of second place at this point. Town are living the dream. This is part of history.
In 10 years time they’ll look back and say ‘what a great opportunity and occasion that was’.
And what a fantastic occasion Sunday was. It was great to see the ground full, nearly 10,000 fans turning up to roar Town on.
And we went very close. I think everybody would agree that we were the better side on the day.
The last 20 minutes of the first half we really started taking the game to them and putting David Moyes’s men under pressure.
There were a couple of moments in the second half, especially late on, where we could have snatched the win.
Paul Hurst said there was a little bit of pride but also disappointment, with how close they went.
It was an opportunity to get through but Shrewsbury will take a lot of heart from it.
They will go down to West Ham excited. Why not? Town have to believe that they can still upset the odds and progress.
I’m sure Paul will be saying that there is no pressure, let’s enjoy ourselves and take the game to them. It’s a different game and West Ham’s thought process may change. It won’t be easy but you have to dream in the FA Cup.
Saturday’s League One clash at Blackburn is a massive one.
Rovers have always been a big club, you think back to them in the Premier League, but even further back to when we used to play against them in the 1980s in the second tier.
There’s a lot of heritage. They were always tough games when we went to Ewood Park.
I see a very difficult game ahead for Town but it is second against third, it looks great on paper, I’m excited to see who comes out on top.
I’m sure Shrewsbury will take heart from going to Wigan on Boxing Day, where we secured a very creditable 0-0 draw. They were and still are top, with plenty of money and resources, but we came away with a point and that should give confidence.
When you look at the season, this team keeps surprising everybody.
Paul will tell his players to not get carried away, he’s so down to earth.
Let’s remember we are a side that can sneak wins. It has all been built around hard work. That is the name of the game.
How many times have we said it this season? The side just keeps going, right until the death and Town have come out on top in the last 10 minutes on numerous occasions.
