Cowan leaving 'no stone unturned' to keep Shrews up

New Shrewsbury Town boss Gavin Cowan says he "will leave no stone unturned" in their bid to stay in League Two.

Cowan picked up a point from a goalless draw with Barnet in his first game in charge last Saturday after replacing Michael Appleton as head coach 48 hours earlier.

The result left Shrewsbury three points clear of the relegation zone going into Saturday's game at Colchester (15:01 GMT).

This week has been Cowan's first full one working with the players and he said they have got through a lot of things.

"It's been intense," he told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"We've made it that way - we've tried to bring some of our structure in and trying to bring a lot of unity and confidence into the players.

"There's been a lot of buy-in and we want to take that on to the pitch.

"There's a feelgood factor around the place this week and a real desire to win. We need to be hard to beat. "

With Salop worryingly close to the bottom League Two, Cowan said he has been keen to ease any tension in the players as they try to secure their English Football League (EFL) status over the remaining 18 games.

"We needed to relax them and get them to come out of their shells," he said.

"There's been a few like slugs with salt on them. They're really uptight and understandably - it's a really tough time.

"There is a lot of seriousness and detail but we need to be trying to take the weight off them.

"We want the players to be the best versions of themselves and that's all you can ask - the players' attitude and application has been incredible this week."

Cowan has been able to make one signing since arriving - defender Kevin Berkoe from Salford for an undisclosed fee - as he tries to tweak his squad.

"We didn't imagine we'd bring anyone in so I'm thankful to the chairman for the opportunity to bring Kev in," he said.

"He gives us real energy and will make us more dynamic and gives us that bit of balance.

"The squad is bloated and unbalanced. You need to have balance in the team and squad and we would like different options."

Cowan said he knows midfielder Sam Clucas wants to play centrally rather than as a left wing-back as he has done at times this season, but says it is a case of "needs must" at the moment.

"We like players playing in their positions and Sam is not a left wing-back in our eyes.

"But if we need to play him there in the future we'll utilise him there. He's got an incredible left foot and does give you balance on that side.

"We'll leave no stone unturned to stay in the league."