Gaffer looks ahead to the Checkatrade Trophy
Shrewsbury Town are in Checkatrade Trophy action this evening as they take on Coventry City in the first of three pool games.
Town will be looking to continue their good form, which has seen them win three and draw one of their opening four League One fixtures.
“It’s certainly one of my best playing memories as a 21 year-old, playing against Shrewsbury ironically”, said Paul.
“In terms of people’s perceptions of it I don’t think it’s really changed. In the early games there’s not much interest and then you get to the final and suddenly we want to win it.
“Having won it I’d like to do well in the competition. That’s not to say that I might make changes for the Coventry game, but at the same time the team I put out will be expected to put in a good performance, which is hopefully good enough to win the game.”
Town’s group is made up of the Sky Blues, West Bromwich Albion and Walsall and Paul believes Coventry will be a good test to get underway.
“Coventry aren’t a bad side themselves”, Hurst said.
“I’ve watched them play some good football. The last couple of results haven’t been what they will have wanted, but when you look at some of the players that aren’t in the team, I think they’ve got a squad that will be at the right end of the table come next April/May time.
“In Mark Robins, a manager I know well, they’ve got a manger that will want to try and win promotion for the club.”
Town are likely to make a few changes for tonight’s game, but Hurst believes the side he puts out will be more than capable of getting a result.
“There’s a couple of different situations”, Paul admitted.
“For a couple of lads I want to get them minutes in a first-team game to help them strengthen their claim for a starting place. We lose Dean Henderson on international duty – Dan James as well, who might have been involved in this one.
“Injuries we will assess this morning to check on one or two people’s fitness because you wouldn’t want to lose them going into the Gillingham game. So, there are little things to just weigh up, but overall it will be a team that I certainly wouldn’t have any qualms about playing in a league game.”