Outgoing Graham Turner backs Shrewsbury Town to avoid relegation

The 66-year-old Town legend called time on his second spell at the Meadow just three days after the team had slumped to a sixth straight home defeat against Rotherham United at the weekend.

The run has dragged the team into a battle to beat the drop in League One after 27 games, and they slipped to fourth from bottom after Crewe Alexandra won last night.

Turner had spent much of January trying to bring in new recruits to bolster the squad to improve their prospects of survival.

But asked if he believed the team could still turn things around, the former Wolves, Hereford United and Aston Villa boss said: "Yes. I think we have got enough.

"I think we need a change of luck, little things like the shot that hit the post on Saturday at 1-0 down. Had that gone in it makes a terrific difference to the mindset.

"And we have had key points in matches where it hasn't gone quite our way, we have not taken the chance and paid a hefty price for it.

"You need a little change of luck in that respect and it can change the outcome of matches.

"They always say goals change games and just the odd one at the right time for us wouldn't half do the confidence the world of good.

"But there's enough points to play for and we are in a good enough position both in terms of what we have got available to put in the team and in terms of points to get ourselves out of trouble."

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He added that Town's chances of getting a much-needed victory at Swindon this coming Saturday would be boosted by the return to fitness of previously injured midfielder Aaron Wildig (quad) and defender Jermaine Grandison (hip) – while Luke Summerfield (thigh) is also nearing a return.

Elaborating on his reasons for stepping aside, he added: "I felt something radical was required, that a new voice in the dressing room might stimulate the mood in there.

"The players are very short on confidence which you would expect with the successive defeats at home. Maybe somebody else taking charge will give them that bit of a lift.

"Sometimes it happens when a manager leaves, the next couple of results are positive for the team and I am hoping that will take place now.

"But there is no getting away from it. We have not been able to score at home recently and that is from a place that was once a fortress that is now become a very fragile place.

"The most important thing is making sure everything is geared to ensure safety."

Turner's decision to resign looks all but certain to end his impressive managerial career which spanned more than 35 years, including stays at Wolves, Aston Villa and Hereford United.

He said: "At my age opportunities will be few and far between. I think you can never say never, but I think that almost certainly I have seen the last of my managerial days.

"It's sad to accept but life moves on. All that has concerned me is doing the right thing for this club at the present time. And that is giving it every opportunity to get away from the relegation zone in League One.

"I'd like to think I have left the club in a better state than it was when I joined. It's a league higher and it's got a good chance of staying there. So that's important to me."

Asked whether he would be open to a possible return to the club, perhaps as director of football, in the future, Turner he added: "I think the situation now is I have stepped down as manager, something might turn up in the future. I can't foresee that. It's the club that first gave me an opportunity in management and a club I am very close to, so who knows what's going to happen in the future."

See also:

• Robbie Fowler in the frame after Graham Turner quits Shrewsbury Town

• Shrewsbury Town tried to get Graham Turner to change his mind, says Roland Wycherley

• Video: Graham Turner tells why he has resigned from Shrewsbury Town