Shrewsbury Town striker Ivan Toney taking inspiration from Tykes spell

Town are rock-bottom of League One after 15 matches, six points adrift of Swindon in 20th – having played a game more than some of their rivals.

Toney, on loan from Newcastle, spent time with the Tykes last year as Barnsley completed a dramatic turnaround from bottom at Christmas to Wembley promotion winners in May.

Town hope to appoint a new boss today and the five-goal striker – who scored a brace of penalties during Saturday's 4-2 defeat by Northampton – is taking inspiration from last season.

He said: "Look where I was with Barnsley last season – at the bottom and then we got promoted, who says Shrewsbury can't do that?

"We've just got to keep grafting and hopefully the wins will come our way. It's not a nice feeling but if we stick together and keep working hard then why aren't the results going to come our way? Why isn't the luck going to come our way?

"It's not done till it's done. Nobody likes to be bottom, nobody likes to be losing – especially the fans."

As supporters hurled abuse towards the directors' box at Greenhous Meadow over the slow appointment of a new boss, Toney admitted the players are all too aware of discontent in the stands, but insisted they must be professional and not let it get to them.

"Of course you're going to hear it, but it's up to you if you're going to show that you hear it or block it out," said the 20-year-old.

"I understand the fans' frustration. They want someone in as quick as we do, but obviously it's up to the board to do what they've got to do. I'm sure they've been waiting for the time to snap up the right manager.

"The new manager will be someone to keep everyone on track – not that we're not at the moment – it's just that extra person will keep everyone on their toes and fighting for their position."