Shrewsbury Town boss Gareth Ainsworth has admitted his players need to reflect on their performances after a damaging 2-0 defeat at Exeter City left them facing an uphill battle to avoid relegation.
The result marked Salop’s fifth loss in their last six League One matches, leaving them 11 points adrift of safety with just 10 games remaining. With time running out, Ainsworth stressed the need for his squad to step up ahead of their crucial fixture against fellow strugglers Burton Albion.
Ainsworth Delivers ‘Home Truths’
The Shrewsbury manager, who has remained upbeat despite their struggles, admitted that harsh words were spoken in the dressing room following Saturday’s defeat.
“There has been a lot of nice and a lot of positivity from me, but on Saturday, there were a few home truths told in that dressing room,” Ainsworth said.
“There are 30 points to play for. What happened at the weekend will not get it done. We have got to improve the levels.”
Shrewsbury will welcome players back from suspension for their upcoming fixtures, but Ainsworth insists fitness is not the issue—it is their performances on the pitch that must improve.
“We are fit, we are strong, we just have to be better on the pitch, and it was not good enough on Saturday—every player knows that. I am not speaking out of turn.
I demand more, and I expect more from them. Plenty of searching to do for next week.”
Must-Win Clash Against Burton
With League One survival now requiring a near-miracle, Shrewsbury’s next fixture against Burton Albion is shaping up to be decisive. Both clubs are fighting to escape the drop, and anything less than a win could leave Salop on the brink.
Ainsworth’s side will need a drastic turnaround to pull off an unlikely escape, and with just 10 games remaining, the time for searching must quickly turn into action on the pitch.
Writer’s View
Shrewsbury’s latest defeat feels like another nail in their relegation battle, and while Ainsworth’s rallying call is admirable, results need to follow. The upcoming clash with Burton is a must-win, and if the players cannot respond to their manager’s demands, their time in League One could soon be over. With just 30 points left to fight for, the margin for error is now razor-thin.
