Cowan reveals preparation tweaks behind Shrewsbury Town's away revival

New boss Cowan oversaw a remarkable revival in the month since taking the reins, which included ending a lengthy wait for a win on the road.

Salop's triumph at Accrington Stanley last month ended a 168-day wait for an away league victory and was followed by a superb comeback win at Salford City.

Asked what had changed to end their away woes, Cowan said: "I'm big on preparation. I felt like - and I don't know whether that was part of the previous regime - but the preparation to a home game and an away game didn't really feel tight enough. 

"A couple of little tweaks around how we prepare and how we set ourselves up, meeting points, and doing things together and staying connected. 

"A home game would feel very connected on a match day. It didn't really feel like that in the build-up when I was looking at the itinerary for how we were going to tackle the first away game at Colchester. 

"I came away thinking we need to be better in terms of our preparation - and we really did that. The players were well on board with it and took to it.

"I'd like to think that played a bit of a part. But the true credit goes to the players, when you see their performances.

"I can put a buffet of food out in front of them, if they don't want to eat it, it's on them, isn't it? 

"So when they do that and they take on board what it is that you want them to do, and they reap the benefits, it is very proud for me to be there as a manager, someone who's worked on a game strategy all week, worked with them in training.

"You have to get it over in the right way, the delivery has to be right. So it's a proud moment when the culmination is three points."

Town were just two points clear of the danger zone when Cowan arrived and were the worst-ranked team in the division away from home.

However, Salop's fortunes have changed and they are no longer the worst travellers, having doubled their points tally on the road - to 12 - in their past two away games.

Cowan admits confidence was low when he stepped into the role, but that has changed dramatically in recent weeks.

"When I came into the building they were lower than a snake's belly," he added. "As it stands now, everybody's very buoyant. I think it's because there's a lot of clarity. 

"I brought a lot of clarity on the pitch, off the pitch. How we want to work, what the expectations are from me and my staff, and the players have really bought into it. 

"They seem really connected. There's been a real good bond made very quickly.

"It's credit to everyone that everybody's made a decision to trust each other when we didn't really have a lot of time. 

"We've had a big impact very early. But we've got 11 games to go. We need to stay connected, make sure the performances are high, and that we keep playing towards our own process."