Why a Shrewsbury Town win over Gillingham and Gareth Ainsworth will mean 'more than three points' for Salop fans

Ainsworth has mentioned there were reasons for his quick departure - which coincided with a potential takeover of the club falling through.

But despite that, Salop fans left scarred by his exit following his promises to 'build something' at the club - and they are expected to give the Gills boss a tough reception in tomorrow's clash.

For Appleton, who was left to pick up the pieces from Ainsworth, he insists focus is just on the game but believes the atmosphere could have an impact, and a win will mean more than just three points for Salop fans.

Asked if the atmosphere could have a positive influence on his side, he said: "I think it will, yeah, there's no doubt about it. We're not trying to hide away for a minute. 

"I think that will be part of the situation to deal with. 

"I hope that is the case. I think if you look at the last three home games we've had, they've all been quite pressured games in a way because of the precarious position that we're 

"In a way this is no different, but obviously there's that extra little bit that, from a supporter's point of view, if we manage to get the three points tomorrow, it will probably feel more than three points."

Appleton replaced Ainsworth with Salop heading for the relegation trap door.

The inevitable was then confirmed and Appleton set about re-building his squad for the task of recovering in League Two.

Most of the players who featured under Ainsworth are no longer at the club - and Appleton has reflected on the difficulty of coming in at the end of last season, and how there are still things from his short time at the club that need to change.

He added: "I think it's still evolving and still needs to evolve. There's a couple of things that I'm comfortable with and a couple of positions that I'm comfortable with but there's a lot that I'm not as well.

"You know, if that's hard to listen to some of the players, then so be it. But, there's a few things that has to change and will change in the coming windows. I think it'll only be good for the football club if it does.

"It was difficult because, obviously, you're walking into a dressing room that is used to losing most weeks. To try and change that is a lot harder than what people think.

"I've been through that experience before at Oxford. I think they lost ten of the last eleven games of the season and then I walked into the dressing room and the first six months were so difficult.

"It's very similar to what's happening here a little bit and it does take time.

"Eventually, if you're persistent enough and you're doing the right things over and over again and being professional and preparing right, making sure your recruitment gets better and better instead of stagnated, then eventually the penny will drop with one or two players.

"We've had moments this year where that's been the case. We've just not had enough of them."

Subscribe to Shropshire Star Plus now for just £1 a month for 12 months for exclusive content and an ad-free website. Visit shropshirestar.com/subscribe for our Black Friday offer