Gaffer reflects on Cobblers draw
Shrewsbury Town Manager Paul Hurst was pleased with his sides’ performance at Northampton as they picked up another point in their battle against relegation.Northampton led at half-time through Marc Richards, but after the Cobblers went down to 10-men, Mat Sadler headed home an equaliser.
Town couldn’t find a winner, despite the home side going down to nine men late on, but Hurst was pleased with his sides’ showing.
“Overall I would say that I was extremely happy with the performance”, Paul told the Press.
“We went a goal down which I felt on the balance of play at half-time was harsh. I thought we passed the ball well today, there was an improvement in terms of looking a lot more relaxed and we played with quite a bit of a freedom to us, so that is credit to the players.
“We said at half-time that if you keep doing what you are doing you will get yourself a goal. I know that they ended up down to 10-men, but even before that I think we were the team that were on top in that second period.”
Town battled hard in the second half and Paul believes it could prove an important point come April 30th.
“For me, over the course of the season any point away from home is pretty good”, said Hurst.
“It’s just the fact that they did have 10-men, but it’s not always easy and I still felt we did dominate the game, we just couldn’t quite make that second one fall for us and there were some good blocks from them.
“I know I said before the game that we could have played rubbish and won, but the performance I am extremely pleased with, so as a manager it is hard to ask too much more.”
Perhaps the biggest surprise before the game was seeing Abu Ogogo’s name back on the Town team sheet and Paul was pleased with his return after over two months out with injury,
“I just looked at Deegs (Gary Deegan) and Bryn Morris and I thought both had run themselves into the ground in these last few games”, admitted Hurst.
“But, the two lads that went in, Abs and Yatesy (Ryan Yates), both did an excellent job today. Both competed well. Neither of them are really creatives, but they ticked possession over nicely for us, so they can be happy with their performances.
“I think Abs used his experience. He certainly put himself about, but I think there were moments where he just held his position, whereas three or four months ago he perhaps charged about slightly more, but, he still did an excellent job and to get through ninety minutes like that is credit to him.
“It was down to him realistically. I asked him if he was fit enough to play and he said yes. I would never rush him or force him into that, but he wanted to be out there and he did a good job for us today.”