'I'm a big boy' - Michael Appleton insists there is no extra pressure ahead of crucial Harrogate clash
Michael Appleton insists he is under no added pressure at Shrewsbury Town as they approach a potentially crucial moment in their season.
Shrewsbury welcome fellow League Two strugglers Harrogate Town in a huge six-pointer tomorrow.
Victory would see Salop move four points clear of their relegation-threatened visitors, while defeat would dump Appleton’s side into the drop zone.
Asked whether he had held conversations with the club’s hierarchy about his future should Salop lose and fall into the bottom four, he responded: "Zero."
Town are winless in their last eight league matches, and three points could potentially provide the spark to reignite their campaign.
"It's a weird question because you're under pressure all the time", added Appleton.
"Literally, every single game you're under pressure, no matter what level you're at, because you know if you lose a few games, there's a chance that you lose your job.
"I don't worry about it. It's just the job. It's the business.
"You accept what comes when it comes. If it does come, it won't be the first time and hopefully it won't be the last time. So I think pressure is part of it.
"You've just got to accept that that's the modern world that we live in. What doesn't get spoke about is all the variables. I suppose as managers, you don't get the opportunity to talk about that which frustrates a lot of young coaches.
"A lot of young coaches I've spoke to over the last couple of months, some who've lost their jobs, who are in difficult moments, say but 'you can't say this, you can't say that'. Unfortunately, that's part of the role.
"So no added pressure from me. We know how big the game is. We know what the consequences could be if we don't get a win. I'm a big boy."
Shrewsbury sit 22nd in League Two ahead of the Harrogate clash and will be looking to recapture the strong form they showed at the Meadow during October, November, and early December.
After a heavy defeat at Premier League Wolves last weekend, which saw Salop exit the FA Cup at the third-round stage, attention quickly turned back to the league campaign - a priority highlighted by both Appleton and captain John Marquis.
The Shrewsbury boss said: "I think we all live and die by hope, don't we? Last week, the outcome was something that we knew could happen. Obviously, we didn't want it to happen, but could happen, and it was all down to fine moments.
"For as much as we earned the right to play against Wolves and enjoyed the day to a degree, there was a much bigger game this weekend.
"Come Monday morning, everyone had got it out of their system and looking forward to Harrogate."
Amid Shrewsbury’s quest for an upturn in form, Appleton has urged fans to get behind the team and create a lively atmosphere for the second half of the season.
"I know they showed their frustrations at times on New Year's Day, which is understandable. I've got no problem with that.
"For me, I just want them to be as positive as they possibly can. Whether it's corners, free kicks, that we know we're going to get balls into the opposition's box.
"If they can raise the roof and make it really, really difficult for the opposition, then the more of that, the better.h
