'I love living here' - Gareth Ainsworth on life as Shrewsbury Town head coach

The Salop boss is closing in on three months in the role after he was appointed as Paul Hurst's successor back in November. 

In that time, Town's form has picked up, and they have made progress in closing the gap to 20th place in the League One table. 

Ainsworth, originally from Blackburn, has a family home down south, but he spends most of his time away from home and in Shrewsbury as and when his side's schedule dictates. 

He says the support he receives from the club's fans when he is out and about does not go unnoticed.

"I'm all about the atmosphere, the fight, being proud of Shrewsbury Town," he said. 

"I know for a fact a lot of people are around the town, you know, I get stopped a lot. I'm in the town, and I love living there.

"I'm getting stopped all the time. People are saying thank you for coming in and saying we haven't really had a massive positional change yet, but they're saying thanks, we can see a difference.

"That means the world to me. It really does. Long-term, we'll keep that going. It will keep being like this, and I know that it works."

Ainsworth inherited a pretty hopeless situation at the club. Town had picked up eight points from their first 15 matches. 

But the Town boss has made his side much harder to beat since his arrival in Shropshire, and he has made their home, the Croud Meadow, a difficult place for opposing teams to come. 

Salop have won three, lost two and drawn one on home turf since the 51-year-old took charge. 

He says he is proud of how the team has developed in a short space of time, and he is confident that with a bit of luck, they can fly up the league.

"We are a totally different team," he continued. "It's a totally different atmosphere now compared to when I came in. And I'm proud of that.

"Everyone will say we're still bottom of the league. Things change, give me small steps.

"I've done it before. It's just now getting a little bit of luck."

Salop are back in League One action on Saturday afternoon when they welcome Mansfield to the Croud Meadow.