Gareth Ainsworth searches for continuity in Shrewsbury Town's survival plot

New boss Ainsworth made five changes for Shrewsbury's 4-1 drubbing at Cambridge United on Saturday with Toto Nsiala absent due to personal reasons while Aaron Pierre and Mal Benning were suspended.

The Shrews' 13th defeat of the campaign left them rock bottom and eight points adrift of safety with many praying for a miracle in their quest to survive the drop. 

Ainsworth admitted that the changes "opened his eyes" up to both the good and bad aspects of his team but feels continuity will be key to picking up points again. 

He said: "Personal reasons for Toto Nsiala and the suspensions gave me the chance to give some others a game. 

"The back four looked very different which does not help. But in a positive, I got to look at plenty of players on Saturday. 

"There were one or two things that opened my eyes both ways. There was some good and some bad but I cannot keep doing that. 

"I cannot keep going, I need another game to see them. I have to start selecting the team that goes out there and wins games because that's what I need." 

433 Shrewsbury supporters braved Storm Darragh to witness their mauling at the Abbey Stadium and Ainsworth is keen to repay them for their loyalty with improved results.

"I feel for the fans who have come all that way," he continued. "It was a treacherous day, they braved the roads, the wind and the rain. 

"I know there was one or two crossed words with one or two players at the end. 

"I don't want it to get that. I have been at a club before where that has happened and that is not nice."