The Tigers have re-established their reputation as "classy Cas" as they set the pace at the top of the table going into Thursday's eagerly-awaited clash with reigning champions Wigan Warriors at the DW Stadium.
Daryl Powell's men are doing it in style, scoring an average of 40 points a match, and have the top three tryscorers in Super League in Greg Eden, Greg Minikin and Luke Gale but Shenton believes they have also added a defensive resolve that proves they are the real deal.
"Since he's been here, Daryl has spoken about the way the British game should be played and I think we've got a great model," Shenton said. "You see bits of our game in other teams as well now which is awesome.
"I think we're an exciting team to watch but we work hard on all that kind of stuff. Everyone does their job well.
"The defence is what has made us more of a contender this year I think. We've always been able to entertain people and score tries but the nitty-gritty defence is where the big improvement from this Cas team is this year."
WATCH: @jakewebster83 spoke to @snozzer_gale about his try total and how @lukedorn could have effected that! https://t.co/8N4h6FuuP8 pic.twitter.com/lIOACACIHd
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) April 4, 2017
Victory on Thursday would put the Yorkshiremen five points clear of the champions and, according to Shenton, send out a message as they step up their bid for a maiden Super League title, although he acknowledges they face their toughest test yet.
"Salford Red Devils was a tough one but this is our biggest challenge so far, coming up against a quality, well-drilled team that has a superb culture," he said. "We know it's a real tough place to go.
"They're normally quite tasty games. We love to beat them because they're a champion team and that puts a bit of a statement out there if you do that.
"If we win this game, we could be in a great place moving forward but we've got massive respect for Wigan."
🯠@CTRLFC dominating
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 4, 2017
Super League top try scorers through round 7 pic.twitter.com/8XlbU1AFrK
Depleted Wigan have drawn one and lost two of their last three matches as injuries begin to take their toll but coach Shaun Wane remains optimistic and believes Salford demonstrated a chink in Castleford's armour when they beat them 13-12 three weeks ago.
"We've gone three games without a win and I don't like it," Wane said. "I am determined to get a win on Thursday.
"We know it will be a tough game and we need to be a lot better. We need to be smart and put their key players under pressure.
"If you let them play, they can score points against anybody but Salford challenged them and made them struggle a bit.
"They're a good team and the way they attack is fantastic so we need to be very good to beat them."
There is little love lost between the two coaches, with Wane happy to reveal that Powell was the only Super League boss not to congratulate him for Wigan's World Club Challenge triumph in February, but he insists there is no animosity.
.@joebrevy, @AnthonyGelling & Liam Farrell are all included in the squad for Thursday's game with @CTRLFChttps://t.co/93JfK0icVg pic.twitter.com/8VWMm9D8gK
— Wigan Warriors ðŸ’âšªï¸ (@WiganWarriorsRL) April 4, 2017
"There's no grudge," Wane said. "I'm a big admirer of what they do and how they play.
"I don't know Daryl. I've loads of respect for that club, they are the best team in the competition, they're killing everyone except Salford and this is our chance."
Powell has a simple explanation for the personal rivalry.
"It's just competitive - he's competitive, I'm competitive," he said. "We've had some great battles over my time at Cas and he's been at Wigan a long time.
"We're both pretty proud of the clubs we represent and that's it. That's all it is."
