What issues will Shrewsbury Town's new head coach need to address

Paul Hurst was relieved of his duties on Sunday afternoon following Town's FA Cup exit at the hands of League Two Salford. 

The search is under way for Hurst's replacement. But it is not going to be an easy job for anyone to walk into. 

Town are in the midst of a rotten run of form. They have won just twice all season in the League and sit second bottom with eight points from just 14 games. 

There is a huge clash coming up this weekend against relegation rivals Burton Albion - the only team in the third tier of English football to have fewer points than Shrewsbury. 

So what issues will the new head coach need to address? 

The defensive record

One of their biggest problems so far this season is how easily they have been breached by opposition teams. 

Believe it or not, they have not conceded the most goals in League One, that honour falls to Peterborough United, who have let in 26. 

They have kept a clean sheet on just one occasion, which has made it hard for them to pick up points.

In seven of their last eight games across all competitions, they have conceded at least twice, including the one clash they picked up three points against Crawley Town.

For any new coach coming in, it is imperative they tighten up at the back. 

Solve the formation conundrum

Shrewsbury have used a variety of different formations throughout the course of the season - none of which have worked. 

They started the season using different variations of a 4-2-3-1 formation. But former boss Hurst abandoned that when they made the trip to Bolton around a month ago. 

At first, with the 2-2 draw against Ian Evatt's side, the change to a back five brought some success, but that was short-lived, with Town losing their last four games across all competitions. 

Hurst went for a 4-4-2 against Salford on Saturday, but that did not work either. 

Whoever it is that takes on the top job at the Croud Meadow needs to find a system that works and try and stick with it. 

Identify key players and get the best out of them

Shrewsbury do have some talented players. Jordan Shipley has proven during his time in Shropshire that he is a terrific League One footballer. 

Others like Tommi O'Reilly and Leo Castledine, who were brought in during the summer from Premier League clubs, are also gifted players and getting the best out of them is key if Shrews are to have any chance of turning around their form.

George Nurse and Carl Winchester are also experienced operators who have shown they can do it at this level. 

The one benefit a new coach will have is that after next week's final EFL Trophy game against Walsall, there will be no fixture congestion. They are out of the cup competitions and the EFL Trophy. 

Home form 

Town's terrible form at the Croud Meadow has been one of their biggest issues this season. 

In fact, their results in Shropshire have been poor for the whole calendar year. 

They have won just three times at the Meadow in 2024, and one of those victories came when Matt Taylor was still in charge of the club on New Year's Day. 

It may be a footballing cliche, but if they are to survive this season they must make the Meadow a fortress that other teams in the division do not want to come to.