Shrewsbury Town manager Gareth Ainsworth insists League One survival is still very much at the forefront of his mind following their 1-0 defeat against Leyton Orient at the weekend.
The 51-year-old has sparked an upturn in results since his arrival in November, with Saturday’s loss in the capital their first in five outings. However, that run included three draws and the Shrews have picked up just two wins from Ainsworth’s nine games in charge.
The Shropshire-based side currently sit 22nd in the third tier, although are eight points from safety after Bristol Rovers beat Cambridge United at the weekend. Ainsworth insists his team are still in the fight though, saying that survival is still very much his aim for the season.
Ainsworth Refusing To Give Up
There’s still half of the season left to play, so to say Shrewsbury are doomed is somewhat premature. It’s a feeling in which Ainsworth concurs with, saying nothing was ever decided in January. Speaking to The Shropshire Star, the ex-Wycombe Wanderers boss said:
“There’s loads of games to be played yet. I came here, and we were at the bottom of the league, below the line. We haven’t been out above the line yet, and it’s a long way to go. It really is, but there are a lot of games to play, a lot of games.
“There are way over 60 points to play for yet, and we’re aiming to get out by the end of the season, not by the end of January, not by the end of February. It’s got to be by the end of April to the start of May. We want to be above that line.
“We’re above two. We just need to get two more below us, and that’s my aim.”
Writer’s View
Ainsworth has done a decent job at Shrewsbury since coming in but they really need to start grinding out more wins. The 1-0 victory over Lincoln City on Boxing Day showed they do have the determination and grit within the squad, and they do appear to be conceding less goals. If anyone can pull of the great escape, it is Ainsworth. Their next two games will give them a real indication of where they’re at, with promotion contenders Huddersfield Town and Wrexham both set to visit Croud Meadow in the next 10 days.
