Shrewsbury Town’s Young Pros are beginning to settle into life at the new Sundorne Castle Training Ground.
Defenders Ryan Sears and Callum Roberts, midfielders George Hughes and Chris Gallagher, and forward John McAtee all returned for their first pre-season as professional footballers last Friday.
“They’ve done okay with the football, but I think the running side they have found tough”, said Paul.
“I think you are always slightly disappointed because you refer back to when you were a young lad and a young pro and you were expected to be at the front. I think now it is very rare that any of them can actually achieve that.
“They tend to be towards the back end of the group and I think that’s something that has changed in time with how the more senior lads look after themselves.”
Paul admitted that, at times, young players need an arm round the shoulder, but he is encouraging all the lads to get stuck in and become part of the group.
“Overall they’ve been good”, admitted Hurst.
“There’s still an expectation to do certain tasks around the place and to be humble, but at the same time it’s important to make sure they become part of the group.
“I don’t want to see all five of them just stuck together all the time because otherwise they won’t get accepted. They’ve took that on board and are getting involved and it’s just about that balance between being a pro and keeping their feet on the ground, head down and keep working hard.”