Gaffer looks back on Checkatrade Trophy Tie
Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Hurst was pleased to get through to the quarter finals of the Checkatrade Trophy.
Town beat Blackpool 4-2 on penalties to progress, after drawing 0-0 in normal time.
“It was nice to win”, admitted Paul.
“That's what we set out to do. I think both teams have made some changes and I couldn’t have done too much more in truth in terms of the starting line-up, but I felt we had enough to win the game.
“Both teams had chances and I felt we should have taken one of those to get ourselves in front. It wasn’t to be but in the end we got the job done with the penalty shootout.”
Paul made seven changes to the side that started against West Ham and he was pleased to get some minutes into their legs.
“We played a different shape”, said Hurst.
“We went through that yesterday and I made the decision with what was available to us that that was the best way to go, rather than try and ask someone to do a job that might not suit them, so overall I’m pleased.
“I think a big thing for me was to get minutes into the legs. We’ve thought about one or two more changes towards the end of the game, but I think it showed that one or two players haven’t played for a while and in the long run hopefully that will do them some good.”
One of those changes saw Max Lowe come in for his first start and Hurst was pleased with his contribution.
“I think he had some good moments and got forward well”, Paul said.
“In that system you are particularly relying on your full-backs to give you some width and I think he had two bits of play where he created chances for us, so he will be pleased to put the shirt on and get 90 minutes.”
The game did come down to penalties in the end and Paul admitted he had confidence in the team.
“With the team that as out there I knew straight away that we’d got lads that would take them”, said Hurst.
“In Stef and Lenny we have people that have taken penalties. Bryn is always confident. Joe strikes a great ball and there were some good penalties there.
“With Dean as well, although their ‘keeper was a little bit taller and had a good debut himself, you always fancy him to come out with one save, which he managed to do and that was all that was needed tonight.”