Shrewsbury Town manager Gareth Ainsworth is confident his team can turn their season around despite falling to the bottom of League One following a 4-1 defeat to Cambridge United.
With the club sitting eight points adrift of safety after 13 losses in 18 games, Ainsworth has called for resilience and togetherness from players and supporters alike.
Belief in the Squad
Ainsworth’s tenure began with a promising 3-2 victory over promotion favourites Birmingham City, but consecutive defeats to Blackpool and Cambridge have compounded the team’s relegation fears. Nevertheless, the newly-appointed boss remains positive about his squad’s potential to recover.
“We are in the relegation zone. I am still positive. I believe these boys can get out of it, but after a game like that, it really hurts me,” Ainsworth admitted. “They are a really good group of lads—they are together. Are we a bit nice? Perhaps. Maybe we need a couple of characters who might rip heads off on the pitch and organise and lead.”
Despite the team’s struggles, Ainsworth has vowed to protect his players, refusing to single out individuals for criticism. “I will never hang anyone out to dry. It is a team, and I will protect them,” he said.
Supporters’ Role in the Fight for Survival
Understanding the frustrations of the fanbase, Ainsworth has urged supporters to remain patient and back the team through this challenging period. Drawing inspiration from the poem The Eye of the Storm, he emphasised the importance of keeping calm under pressure.
“The fans have a right to be frustrated, but stick with us because that is the term supporter, and I am hoping we’ve got plenty of them,” Ainsworth said. “If people can keep their heads and keep with us, then the good times will be around the corner.”
Writer’s View
Ainsworth’s optimism is admirable given the dire circumstances Shrewsbury find themselves in. His ability to rally the team and maintain a unified dressing room could be pivotal in their battle for survival. However, the team’s issues—both in defence and leadership on the pitch—require urgent attention. The support of fans, coupled with the emergence of stronger characters in the squad, may yet give Shrewsbury a fighting chance to climb out of the relegation zone. The coming weeks will test Ainsworth’s mettle as both a tactician and a motivator.
