Saturday afternoon sees the Alex play the second successive game against the two promoted sides as we welcome the ‘Class Of 92’-backed Salford City to the Alexandra Stadium as the visitors sit in 16th place in the league.
So far this season, they have beaten Stevenage and Grimsby Town, have drawn with Port Vale, Plymouth Argyle, Carlisle United, Leyton Orient and Morecambe (all back-to-back) and have lost to Crawley Town and Cheltenham Town. In the cups, they lost at home to Leeds United in the EFL Cup and beat Aston Villa Under-21’s in their opening EFL Trophy in a group that contains Tranmere Rovers and would have contained Bury.
Over the summer, Salford have signed 13 players over the summer, 9 of which are permanent signings and 4 season loans and let 8 leave the club. Joining the club are goalkeeper Kyle Letheren, defenders Dan Jones, Yianni Nicolaou, Cameron Burgess, Jack Baldwin and Sam Hughes (the last 3 all on loan), midfielders Joey Jones, Oscar Threlkeld, Richie Towell and Martin Smith as well as forwards Florian Yonsian, Luke Armstrong and loanee Jake Jervis.
Looking back in the archives, the two teams have never met in any competition in competitive action.
Who are the officials for the game?
The officials for this game see Will Finnie as the man in the middle where he is assisted by Chris Isherwood and Ian Smedley with Anthony Moore being the fourth official. We have yet to be refereed by Smith as it is his first season as a Football League referee.
I asked Salford City supporter Andy Thurston for his thoughts going into the game.
How would you describe your transfer activity this summer?
I was pleased with our incomings over the summer. We needed strength in the middle of the park, bringing in Ritchie Towell was class as he played 30x in the championship last season and has shown his class this season. We also already a No2 to challenge Chris Neal aswell with Kyle Letheran arriving. Full-backs added to the squad as well and again providing a much-needed challenge and competition to Wiseman and Touray who have both starting the season very strong as a result.
Which position is the one that you should improve the most from the squad you currently have?
Difficult one, we needed CB cover with recent injuries to Pond and Hogan bringing in Jack Baldwin and Sam Hughes on loan other than that we’ve enough in the squad to see us through to Christmas then re-evaluate then.
What do you think the team will be for the game?
The million-dollar question. We’ve got a growing injury list to deal with which could see Shelts getting a run in the side he was superb last season before his injury and a return to the side on Mani D.
How would you set-up to nullify your team?
Turn up with 11 lads with boots at the min haha.
Who is the danger man for this game?
The 12th man in block D. Loud and proud for what will be our biggest away following of the season so far after we took 657 to Morecambe.
What do you think is a realistic aim for Salford this season?
Top 7 and playoffs were sitting at the time of this 6 pts of 3rd the league and promotion spots are wide open.
