'Outstanding' - Ex-Shrewsbury boss hails Mat Sadler's impact ahead of reunion with Walsall
Walsall boss Mat Sadler made over 200 appearances for Shrewsbury Town and became a key figure for them under Paul Hurst in 2017-18.
That season, Sadler twice led Shrewsbury Town out as captain at Wembley Stadium but suffered the heartache of defeat on both occasions.
However, that team, which featured future England internationals Dean Henderson and Ben Godfrey, are still held dear to the Croud Meadow faithful.
Moreover, it was a far cry from the situation that Hurst took over from 18 months earlier when they rooted to the foot of League One.
Hurst would propel them away from the relegation mire and to a play-off final during a memorable stint and Sadler would play an instrumental role in that remarkable rise.
"The team was struggling and Mat was seen as one of those players who were contributing to a difficult start," Hurst recalled.
"I'm pretty sure I dropped him for a game at Sheffield United. He was certainly disappointed but he took it in the right way and just worked hard to try and win me round.
"He did win me round pretty quickly and did extremely well overall. Maybe it wasn't love at first sight but over time you get to know your players and he was outstanding.
"I think the fans recognised that. It wasn't a total turnaround but all of a sudden it was about how good Mat was for the team and the group."
Shrewsbury lost 1-0 to Lincoln City in the EFL Trophy final and suffered a 2-1 loss against Rotherham United in the play-off final.
Hurst left for Ipswich Town at the end of the season and Sadler joined Walsall the following summer at the end of an era.
Since Sadler took to management, Hurst has followed his progress with an eager eye and is hopeful that he has benefitted from their time together at Shrewsbury.
"He always comes across extremely well in interviews and is very measured in terms of what he says," he observed.
"That's certainly a very good trait to have as a manager. Lots of managers out there have different personalities and characters, but I do believe he has got some things that are similar to myself.
"I hope he maybe took some things from our time together and that he'd say I was honest with him in some conversations that we had.
"Particularly in the early stages when perhaps it might not have all been nice. At other times, it was not as difficult because he was in the team doing extremely well.
"I'm sure Mat has learned a hell of a lot from last season and he'll be disappointed with himself because he wants to succeed.
"But for a start in management, it's not a bad one at all."
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