Gareth Ainsworth's request to the loyal Shrewsbury Town fans

It is the new boss's first game in charge of the Shropshire side when they welcome high-flying Blues to the Croud Meadow. 

And given the difficult nature of the game, against the division's big spenders, he has asked the Salop supporters to ramp up the noise for the visit of Chris Davies' side. 

"All I want is for the fans to get behind us, which I know they will," the head coach said. "I don't have to ask that. They're football fans, they've paid their money to get in, and I really respect that. 

"It's brilliant to be here because it's a family club, it's a father-son club where the generations are coming through, and it's brilliant to see.

"Just please get behind us. It's not going to change overnight, but hopefully, there will be some changes in the short term. 

"There'll be some that you see, and you will think 'I know what they're trying to do, I'm proud of them'."

And Ainsworth has explained exactly what he expects to see from his players on the day. 

"One thing I will say," he continued. "I want every player to come off that pitch with nothing left, absolutely nothing left. They've got to crawl off that pitch. If they could do another few runs, I'll be saying you shouldn't be able to do another few runs.

"You should have absolutely given everything for that cause and that's what I want the fans to see. I want them to see that the efforts that we're all going to give are win, lose or draw, the effort is there. I believe that's what fans want to see."