Gaffer looks ahead to Checkatrade Trophy last-16 game
Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Hurst has reiterated the importance of Wednesday night’s Checkatrade Trophy tie against Blackpool.
The game comes on the back of Sunday’s big FA Cup clash against West Ham United, but Town are now just three games from a Wembley final and Hurst wants to progress.
“It’s a competition that I’ve said right from the start that I want to do well in. We’ve got to give ourselves the best chance of trying win the next few games, so the squad will come into play but I would never put a team out that I didn’t think could get the victory.
“One or two changes might be made but at the same time we want to progress. Wembley isn’t far away and what an opportunity it is for whoever gets there because I’m sure they will have a great day out and I’m hoping it will be us.”
The importance of this competition won’t be lost on Blackpool boss Gary Bowyer who was part of the Rotherham United squad, alongside Hurst, when they beat Town to win the competition in 1996 and Paul is expecting a tough game against his former teammate’s side.
“I look at Blackpool and I think they’ve been playing well without getting the results that some of their performances have perhaps deserved”, said Hurst.
“I think they had another one of those at the weekend where Gary spoke about being very happy with the overall performance, but I’m sure he would rather play badly and win.
“They are a good side and I think they caused us some problems (earlier in the season). It was another tough game that we came out on the right side of, but I said going into that game that they have plenty of threats, pace in the side and like to play, so we expect yet another tough game.”
Hurst is looking to make some changes for tomorrow night’s game and he wants those that come in to impress.
“The team that played at the weekend did well and that team has probably done well on numerous occasions, but we’ve got a lot of games coming up and I’ve said right from word go that the squad will come into play”, continued Paul.
“Every time you go on the pitch is a chance to impress, whether it’s to impress me or to impress another manager. You can take pride in your own performance and do everything you can to say that they should be in our team first and foremost.”