Gareth Ainsworth points to mentality shift in bid to turn around Shrewsbury fortunes

Ainsworth has been appointed as the successor to Paul Hurst, who was sacked more than 10 days ago, with Salop winning just twice in 19 games. 

Shrewsbury have made a habit of coming out on the wrong side of results so far this season, and they have lost 11 of their 15 league matches.

But speaking to the club's media team after his appointment Ainsworth says he wants 'positive vibes' and to 'spark' things for change.

"We need to start making this team more resilient," he said. 

"Both the chairman and Micky have been influential in getting me here.

"I have heard a few eyebrows are raised that I have come here, that is very flattering for me, but on the humble side of things, they have worked really hard to make sure the place is set up for success for me and my assistant (Richard Dobson) in the future.

"They are great people, they have had it tough over the last few weeks and months, and you can see that, you can feel it.

"From this moment, this is going to change. I want positive vibes, I want to be a spark and almost a catalyst for some winning mentality and some different attitude around the place."

Ainsworth has been out of work since leaving Championship club QPR last year, and he felt Shrewsbury was the right place for him to come back into coaching. 

He said: "Leaving QPR a year ago now, the plan always was to get back in,  and we feel this is the right place to do it.

"The talks we have had over the last few days have been really positive, and seeing the place and getting a feel for Shrewsbury the Town itself. 

"The history obviously I know playing against them, managing against them, you know it is always a tough place to come and I am looking forward to being the man in the dugout making it tough for other teams to come." 

Town's form is a concern, and Ainsworth has admitted that he is not going to be able to wave a magic wand to fix the club's problems instantly and admitted there could be some 'pain' in the short term.

He said: "There is no way this club cannot achieve similar things (to Wycombe) it has always been well supported. 

"It is going to take some real building. There could be some pain at the start. I am not stupid. I am not going to come in and wave a magic wand and start getting results. 

"We have Birmingham next weekend at home. That is going to be a tough game. "With the position we are in, there could be a little bit of pain at the start, but I am asking people to stay with us. To recognise what we are to try and buy into that because I am going to need those fans, and I am going to need the people around the club."