Gaffer looks back on the 4-0 win over Bristol Rovers
Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Hurst praised his side’s brilliant first-half display as Town beat Bristol Rovers 4-0.
Town produced one of their best 45 minutes of football in recent years with Alex Rodman, Carlton Morris, Jon Nolan and Junior Brown all getting on the scoresheet.
“It was one of the few nights where with 20 minutes to go you can sort of relax”, Hurst told the Press.
“I wanted the clean-sheet and there were a couple of moments where I had to shout on to give them that encouragement to make sure that we did that, but there was some outstanding attacking play.
“We kept the ball better, we passed it much better and I think the desire without the ball was better again. It hasn’t been dreadful the last couple of games, but we upped out level tonight and got our rewards.”
Town’s front four were particularly impressive and Hurst was pleased with their displays.
“I thought Bristol Rovers started alright to be honest”, said Paul.
“There wasn’t loads in the game. We scored a really good first goal, starting with Deano who was positive in his movement to set Shaun off and then Alex with his running.
“I thought those two (Whalley and Rodman), Carlton and Nolo, in particular, when we were breaking proved a real handful.”
Next week crowns the one year anniversary of Hurst’s time in charge and Paul believes that is the best first-half display of his time at Town so far.
“I think it would have to be because of scoring that number of goals”, Hurst said.
“I really liked the performance at Oxford and that sounds strange because that was one of the draws, but I thought we were excellent against a side that are starting to show what a good side they are as well, but it’s got to be up there.
“I thought defensively we could have been better. We gave away a couple of sloppy balls and I still think we looked a little bit vulnerable – I didn’t think the game was over at two-nil.
“When we got the third then you are obviously going to be really disappointed to lose from that position and the fourth meant the message from me in the second half was not to concede and get a clean-sheet, which we managed to do as well.”