‘That’s me pulling him out of the firing line’ - Ainsworth on Toby Savin

Salop signed new goalkeeper Jamal Blackman before kick-off at The Brick Community Stadium, with the former Exeter and Burton man going straight into the starting XI. 

Savin, on the other hand, who had started every League One game this campaign before then, missed out on the matchday 18 completely. 

The keeper had a solid start to life in a Salop shirt, but he has come in for criticism in recent weeks after making a couple of mistakes. 

And Ainsworth says it is something he has done throughout his career. 

"That's me tactically pulling him out of the firing line because sometimes you need a rest," Ainsworth said when asked by the Shropshire Star about Savin's absence. "Sometimes you need a break, and I've done it with a lot of players in my career.

"I've done it with young boys who come into the team, and let's not forget Toby is still a young man. 

"What is he, early 20s? When you are that age, you don't know it all.

"You think you're confident. You think you do, but everyone needs that little bit of help, a little bit of a break sometimes.

"I know one thing for sure. Toby will be at home cheering that point, and that's the most important thing." 

Salop came from two goals down to snatch a late point at the weekend as George Lloyd netted an equaliser to stop them from losing their fourth successive match. 

Ainsworth was delighted post-match about the result, but speaking about his goalkeeper situation, he said that in a world of 'chaos' and social media, he believes man management is an integral part of his job. 

"Honestly, in this game, people go on about style of play, shape, tactics, he continued. "If you get recruitment and man management right, you're a long way there.

"I pride myself on having an open door and working until the nth hour for the boys, and I'll be there for them.

"It's just the way I am. That's how I was brought up.

"That's how I want to be. And if that helps them - then that is great. I want great people. I don't just necessarily want results.

"I want to look after them. In the world of all the chaos that goes on and all the social media and everything like that, I think sometimes we don't give our players enough credit for what they go through."

And he also spoke about what the players would be doing over the festive period," he said: "They're going to be working all over Christmas. 

"They have got Christmas Day off, I'll say that now. I don't mind admitting that.

"They're off Christmas Day. I want them to run their socks off on Boxing Day for me so they can have that day with their families. 

"But apart from that day, we're in all the time, and we're going to be working really hard to try and get more days and more second halves like today."