Gareth Ainsworth will continue to be 'authentic' as Shrewsbury boss

The Salop head coach kicked and headered every ball with his players on Saturday as his side went to a memorable victory against Birmingham City in his first game in charge. 

The 51-year-old has brought incredible energy to the dugout in his short tenure in Shropshire, and he will continue to do so as the weeks and months progress. 

"I'm an emotional guy," the Shrewsbury head coach said. "I will celebrate wins. Defeats will hit me hard. That's the person I am, and I don't mind saying that. 

"The more I've managed, the more it comes out, and the more I'm proud to be who I am.

"I thought to myself on Saturday, what do I look like on the touchline? I thought, just look like you Gareth, that's what you are, and I think the boys will know if you're trying not to be authentic. So I just thought be the same old Gareth on that touchline. 

"The emotion at the end was genuine. That is all I can say. It was really a good moment.

"Listen, it will take time. We are going to have some pain, I know that. We have a very small squad, we have quite a slim squad depth. So I intend to address those, but at the moment it's real nice for Shrewsbury fans." 

John Marquis played a huge part in Town's 3-2 victory at the weekend. 

The striker scored Salop's second goal and got an assist for the third with a magnificent forward run. 

The 32-year-old said he was pleased he and his team-mates managed to execute the gameplan against Blues and that they have a mini 30-game season to see what they can achieve. 

"He is very enthusiastic," Marquis said about his new boss. "He is very clear and concise with his message. 

"I think you could see that at the weekend, we set up with a gameplan which was to be aggressive and press. And we felt we could hurt them in the transition.

"Birmingham are a very good side, but they do get very open and expansive, and we felt with Blocko's (Tom Bloxham) pace and my knowledge we were able to pick our moments to hurt them on the counterattack. 

"The second and third goals came from that, so the gameplan worked. Everyone can see there is going to be a way for us to play. 

"Everyone could see from the stands. I would have to watch it back, but I felt like we executed everything we were asked.  

"What has happened in the past is gone. The message was clear we are in a 31-game season now, and one of the games has gone, but we have got 30 games left to see what we can do here."

Town do not play next weekend, and they are next in action when they welcome Blackpool to the Croud Meadow.