Gaffer looks ahead to the trip to Stadium MK
Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Hurst will make no apology if Town get another late winner against MK Dons on Saturday.Town beat AFC Wimbledon 2-1 last time out as Toto Nsiala headed home in the 89th minute and Paul admits that he will take a win in whichever way in comes in order to secure Town’s League One status.
“It would be nice to get another victory”, Paul told the Press.
“Ultimately it doesn’t matter when they come but I think for everyone’s health it would be better if we could score a little bit earlier.
“But, we will take any victory and the league we are in and where we are at I don’t see there being too many occasions where we will win very comfortably.
“We have to be resilient, which I think we were last weekend. Stay in games which we managed to do and then that gives you the opportunity to come out on the right side of the result.”
Town’s late goal against Wimbledon last time out highlighted the togetherness and never say die attitude that Paul has instilled in the Town squad and Paul thinks the confidence is high.
“Confidence plays a big part”, said Paul.
“You can have the same group of players, but when you are on a terrible run they will all do things that you scratch your head at and ask ‘why have they done that?’
“And when they are confident they will look much better players and I think that is something you have to be careful of when you are looking at players because we can all catch someone on a very good day but it’s that consistency that matters.
“Consistency comes from doing things right, being professional and that will make you play better more often than not.”
MK Dons replaced Karl Robinson late last year after over six years in charge and Paul believes that Robbie Neilson’s side will play in a slightly different way, but is still expecting a difficult game.
“Robbie Neilson will have his own ideas”, said Hurst.
“I’ve heard one or two bits about things that have changed. From looking at the games they still like to pass the ball. I think they are willing to be a little bit more direct when required but certainly not a team that is just going to kick it back to front.
“Against Fleetwood they had a lot of possession, but unfortunately for them they came out on the wrong side of the result.
“He has changed some players, but he can’t have changed as many things as he would have liked in one window. But, they still have some very good players and I am a bit surprised that they aren’t further up.”
Paul brought in a number of young players during the January transfer window and he is hoping they thrive when visiting Stadium MK.
“It was one of the grounds that I didn’t get to play in”, Hurst continued.
“I was there as a squad member but not involved so I was up in the stand and from walking round there was an element of jealousy on that day.
“I wanted to be out there and for the players that go and get the opportunity on Saturday you want them to grasp it.
“It’s a very impressive stadium, but once the referee blows that whistle I think there is an element that you forget about that and it’s then about you and your teammates taking on the opposition and trying to secure more points.”
Meanwhile, Joe Riley looks set to miss out through injury, whilst Tyler Roberts will be monitored after suffering from a tight hamstring.