Paul Hurst urging Shrewsbury Town strikers to hit the mark
Boss Paul Hurst has urged his attackers to step up to the mark and provide the goals to keep Shrewsbury Town in League One.
Salop have been dealt a blow with West Bromwich Albion loanee Tyler Roberts picking up a hamstring injury that was due to keep him out of today’s home game against Rochdale.
Hurst’s charges went into the match two points from safety and the boss is looking for some of his forwards to cement their place in the team.
Stefan Payne, Stephen Humphrys, Freddie Ladapo and Louis Dodds have all been used over recent weeks – AJ Leitch-Smith also on the bench – and Hurst said: “They’ve all had spells where they have looked good players – and they are all good players.
“But, longer term, I don’t think we’ve quite nailed down (an attacking pairing).
“I think probably the best we had was Tyler and Freddie, at one stage.
“Then, Freddie missed out and ever since that point – I think the Peterborough game – it’s been a little bit hit and miss.
“I understand people might question myself in terms of selection, the front two, but that’s part and parcel of the job. That’s just trying to find someone who is going to hit that bit of form at the right time, finding that partnership.”
Dodds is Town’s top scorer having scored 10 goals in all competitions. Leitch-Smith has five, Crystal Palace loanee Ladapo four, Fulham loanee Humphrys two while Barnsley loanee Payne is yet to open his Salop account.
Humphrys had been struggling a little with illness before today’s game as well, and Hurst said: “You try to get the best out of people at the best time.
“Obviously, the fans are not privy to what goes on in training and things like that, knowing how fit the lads are.
“We put Tyler on the bench on Tuesday night (against Millwall) as he looked a bit tired, and then he goes on and does that.
“We are looking at and perhaps the reasons for him getting that hamstring injury.
“Now it’s five games and I don’t think anyone will care who scores the goals, it’s just a case of going out there and giving everything.”
He added: “There’s no point playing with fear. You have to embrace it, go and enjoy it and hopefully things will come good for everybody.”
Meanwhile, Town have passed the 1,000 mark for season ticket sales.
The club has frozen prices so an adult season ticket works out at just over £12 a game. The deadline for Early Bird sales is April 15.
