The Gaffer looks ahead to the visit of Millwall
Shrewsbury Town Manager Paul Hurst admitted that he will keep fighting to keep Town in League One ahead of the visit of Millwall.Town are looking to get back to winning ways after five games without a victory, whilst Millwall will be hoping to keep their League One Play-Off hopes alive.
Town dropped into the bottom four last weekend, but Paul Hurst is looking for his players to bounce back.
“The overall picture is extremely tight and obviously at the weekend we dropped into the relegation zone”, Paul told the Press.
“Games are running out, but we’ve got a chance. We’ve still got six games starting with the Millwall game tomorrow and as I said in interview on Saturday I’ve certainly not given up and will keep fighting.
“That’s what we need from the players and hopefully that’s the way that they feel also. Performance wise we played Bolton and did pretty well for large parts and then Saturday you can’t really make a call on it.
“We were well in the game. Even with 10 men we did pretty well and it’s not like we got battered. We haven’t just got to a point where we are getting out played and we are awful, so for me the signs are there that we can still get results, albeit that it will be difficult.”
With Millwall currently sitting just 3 points outside the play-offs Paul is expecting there will be pressure on both sides tomorrow night.
“I think no matter what, you expect it to be tough”, admitted Paul.
“We’ve spoken generally and said that when you play teams that are mid-table with nothing to play for they can sometimes be the hardest ones, because they’ve got an element of total freedom.
“What I would say about Millwall is that they very much have something to play for. I think if they are looking to get in the play-offs themselves they will be looking at this game thinking that they will need three points, so we’ve got to try and upset that first and foremost.
“Who knows how the game’s going to pan out tomorrow, but if for instance we get in front are they going to start panicking or are they going to play with less pressure?
“I don’t think you can ever be fully sure, but because we’ve both still got something to play for there might be an element of dealing with pressure for both teams at some points.”
Town haven’t won since their last Tuesday night match at home to Charlton, but Paul believes the players are more than capable of getting the desired result.
“Do I think we can win tomorrow night? Yes, but who knows”, said Hurst.
“We’re not Real Madrid where realistically you go into every game expecting to win and are disappointed if you get a draw, but the team are capable.
“The last two performances for me have not been a million miles away, so if we can continue with some of those positive aspects, hopefully add a little bit more quality, get a fair rub of the green in terms of decisions then maybe we can win tomorrow night.”