'Very, very quickly...' - Michael Appleton upbeat Shrewsbury 'outlook' can change
Michael Appleton remains optimistic his Shrewsbury Town side can turn around their fortunes on the eve of back-to-back home clashes.
The Town head coach, who is still hunting a first home win in League Two since he took over in March, says he and the club are "mindful" that one or two positive results can change momentum.
Shrewsbury welcome eighth-placed Cambridge on Saturday before Crawley, currently fourth-bottom, visit Croud Meadow the following weekend in what already looks a crunch fixture.
After a difficult start to the season, last weekend's opponents Barrow turned things around with successive victories before a stalemate against Appleton's Town - and the Salop head coach knows one positive outcome is all it takes.
"It can change very, very quickly," said Appleton. "Everyone's perceptions and mindset and outlook on life and the group, team and club can change very, very quickly and we're mindful of that.
"We're 11 games in, we're in a place that we didn't want to be. Obviously, there's a lot of context behind everything and every football club, but all people care about is results and I get that.
"I've been in it far too long to think any differently so I'm not stupid, but I also realise - like I say - very, very quickly things can turn and that's what we're hoping."
Defender Sam Stubbs said this week that Appleton does not allow fear and panic to creep into Town's work.
"The players are the ones who've got to go and deliver it under pressure and in key moments of the game," Appleton added.
"You've got to get the balance right between being highly motivated, have a little bit of anxiety, but at the same time be enthused and have the energy. Then at the same time, when you really, really need it, that calmness. But you also need that calmness when you defend, and not just in the attacking box as well."
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