Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Hurst is keeping his feet firmly on the ground ahead of his side’s game with Oxford United on Saturday.
Town are three from three so far this season, but Oxford pose a stern test having won two of their opening three matches.
“Oxford are in a good place themselves” Hurst told the Shrewsbury website. “I know they lost last time out at Scunthorpe, but they were front runners for a long time last season, so they are a strong side themselves.
“Oxford, in their home game against Portsmouth looked a very good side. From speaking to a few people in the game they expect Oxford to be right up there this year.”
It was only four months ago that Town were beaten 2-0 by Oxford at the back end of last season, but Paul believes things are a lot different this time around.
“A lot has changed since then”, said Hurst. “On Oxford’s side there’s been a change in manager, a change in some players, so I don’t think that game will have much relevance on this week, but it wasn’t that long ago.
“It’s a different season, a different set of players and we go there in good spirits to see what we can do. We’ve just got to keep our feet firmly on the ground, work hard and see where it takes us.”
With Town adding a further two players to the squad this week, Hurst admits there will be a few selection headaches this weekend, but he is excited by the potential of the group.
“We spoke about the need to strengthen right from the end of last season and there is no doubt that we have”, Paul said. I’m delighted with the business that we’ve managed to do and the squad together now is no doubt the strongest squad that I’ve worked with.
“Now it’s about getting them to believe, trying to organise them, trying to get the team selection right and if they show the attitude that they have done so far, get to know each other more and take on board the things we are asking of them, then we can have a good season.”