Paul Hurst: Shrewsbury Town boss says struggling side needs to show more fight

Hurst also defended his decision not to bring on some of his more creative players as they chased the game.

Loan players Tommi O’Reilly and Charles Sagoe Jr, borrowed from Aston Villa and Arsenal respectively, were left on the bench but Hurst says he felt it was right to leave the 20-year-olds out.

“I didn’t think it was anything like a day to put them on. Neither was going to help us on set-plays and I just didn’t feel it was that type of game for them,” Hurst said.

“If either of these players are the best on the training pitch every day, I’d find it harder to leave people out.

“It’s not just those two, and there’s nothing personal here, I’m picking a team that I think gives us the best chance of getting a result.

“We’re obviously at the wrong end of the table. It was a difficult place potentially for younger players to come and play their football.

“Ultimately, I see things throughout the week that some don’t witness and I’ve had this at various points in my managerial career when suddenly players that aren’t on the pitch get a hell of a lot better than the one that are on it and that’s not a good sign.”