‘This is the first time they’ve really been in the s***’ - Gareth Ainsworth
Head coach Gareth Ainsworth believes this is the first time some of his Shrewsbury Town players have found themselves in a difficult position in their careers.
Not only are Town rock bottom of the League One table, they are also 14 points from safety - which could stretch even further today if results go against them.
Just over a month ago Town were well in the relegation fight, but no wins in their last eight third-tier matches have all but confirmed their fate for next season.
There were vociferous scenes at the Croud Meadow last weekend after Town lost to Burton Albion, and boss Ainsworth says some of his inexperienced players will not have found themselves in this position before.
He said: "I've been in worse positions in my career than we are right now at Shrewsbury Town. But I think I've had a lot of experience in the game and got some youngsters in the team who've always had it nice, and they've had loans, they've had a promotion or a nice League Two season or a nice League One season.
"This is the first time they've really been in the s*** and there are different ways of dealing with that. There really is.
“But there's no way I'm going to turn around and say to the fans or please get behind us because it's good for the boys.
"You've got to let the boys know sometimes it's not good enough. I do. And let me know it's not good enough because I'm disappointed."
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