Paul Hurst will begin to crack the whip at Shrewsbury Town
Paul Hurst will ensure Shrewsbury Town are disciplined as he begins with a ‘blank page’ from the start of next season.
Town struggled badly with cautions and dismissals for the first half of last season and had the worst discipline record in League One for much of the campaign.
Hurst announced shortly into his Greenhous Meadow regime that deterrents, such as fines, would be in place for the beginning of his first full season with the club.
The record improved under his stewardship. Town eventually finished with the fifth-worst discipline record in the league – with 98 yellow and 10 red cards – although no other side reached double figures in dismissals.
“It’ll be enforced better now because it’s a fresh start,” said the Town boss.
“It’s a blank page for me now at the start of this season. There’s a few things that’ll change on that front.
“Overall, the record improved quite drastically, I think we might have escaped the punishment that was hanging over us.”
Tempers often threatened to boil over as Shrewsbury struggled at the foot of League One under former boss Micky Mellon.
Dismissals were not uncommon after Hurst took over in late October, though the club twice had bans rescinded for incorrect dismissals in the case of Jim O’Brien and Toto Nsiala.
Gary Deegan (13) collected the second-most cautions in the division while Ivan Toney – on loan until Christmas – picked up 12 and Town were even asked by the FA to explain their poor record. Hurst alluded to Premier League champions Chelsea’s red card record, which is almost perfect, as a target.
He also believes being physically disciplined and behaving in a right manner with team-mates and staff is key.
It was reported two Shrewsbury players exchanged blows during last December’s Christmas trip to Dublin.
Hurst added: “I look at someone like Chelsea, they had one man sent off all season – that’s discipline.
“You want your players to be available as much as possible, whether that’s work with Skitty (Chris Skitt, physio) and Hodgy (Andy Hodgen fitness coach), preparing right and getting precautions highlighted.
“There’s discipline as in being respectful of team-mates and the staff. That’s always been the case. My discipline record, generally, has always been good.”
Hurst is hoping the club escape on a pre-season trip to build morale before the season gets under way.
