Shrewsbury Town boss John Askey: It’s win or bust

The pressure is firmly on Askey after a dismal 3-0 defeat at Oxford United last weekend.

Salop are yet to win away from Montgomery Waters Meadow under him while second-bottom Wimbledon have lost their last six games.

When asked if anything less than a win leads to him being sacked, Askey said: “I would say so, if we go to Wimbledon and don’t win.

“I’d also say there’s teams below us who’ve got bigger budgets, with managers who have had far longer at the job than me, who are still secure. But because of what happened last year, there’s more pressure.

“If we went to Wimbledon and didn’t get a result there, I know what to expect.

“It’s important that we get a result there, especially against a team who haven’t won for six games.

“It’s a great opportunity to go and get a result. It’d be really pleasing, for obvious reasons.”

And on if the Town hierarchy have told him he is gone if they do not win, Askey added: “No, but I’m not stupid.

“You keep fighting until the bitter end and hopefully the players will do that, keep supporting me.”

Salop went to Wembley twice last campaign, reaching the League One Play-off final – after finishing third – and the Checkatrade Trophy final, losing both.

But Askey pointed out the big overhaul he had to oversee following his arrival in the summer.

“I came in and we had to bring in quite a lot of players,” he said.

“The majority of players from the previous season had gone.

“Shrewsbury had a great time last season. Previous to that, I think the highest they had finished was 15th in the league.

“There has to be a little bit of reality. The majority of players we brought in have been from the league below. They’re good players, but sometimes they take a bit of time to adjust.

“For me, the goals against shows that we’re organised – and the players are fit.

“I’m working hard and doing the best I can do, but sometimes it takes time.”

He added: “If we don’t improve, you know what to expect as a manager – but I can assure you I won’t be throwing the towel in.

“You don’t stay in football for as long as I’ve done without being determined and knowing what you’re doing.”