When Salford first attained league status they were no doubt favoured for a rapid rise. It is odd that usually if a promoted NL team has been in League football relatively recently no one normally tips them for anything much, although Notts County are an exception, perhaps because of their history and established support.
In Salford’s case, although they have always finished in the top half of the table, last year was their first appearance in the Playoffs. So they are improving slowly and I suppose that their owners, with all their wisdom in the football business, are not going to spend money foolishly.
Their start this year has been moderate, neither good, nor bad and they are equal on points with Rovers who are obviously up with them because of the recent excellent form.
For some reason, I do not feel a great deal of excitement about the match even though it will be another opportunity to actually stream it live. We must hope that we can build on the recent improvement with a more consistent effort because there has been a tendency to ease off when we have got in front. Perhaps it is tiredness though with a squad which has little chance of being refreshed with substitutions due to there being so few experienced fit players.
Salford’s last 3 matches have been a 4-2 home win against Crewe, a loss by 2-3 at Wrexham and a 2-2 draw at home to Swindon, the last point gained only via a last minute equaliser. So, 3 tough games and 4 points out of 9. Coming to in-form Doncaster will be seen as yet another challenging engagement. So they will be ready and suitably competitive after such a run.
If we do not carry forward our recent form it will be a considerable set back now the momentum and effort has brought some reward, so we will hope that there will be no loss of focus and no injuries to weaken the squad any further.
2-0 - Anderson/Molyneux.
DPL v Salford City
posted on 24/10/23
Things are looking up. A sure sign things will go wrong for Rovers.1-2 to Salford. Ironside, Faal. I hope I'm wrong.
posted on 24/10/23
I think that injuries may syart to tell and I fear you may be right. However, I'm going to be optimistic and say 2-1 to Rovers. Ironside with the first.
posted on 24/10/23
If we are serious about trying to get into a play-off place, this is a must win game. The chance to go three wins in a row should be great incentive, but this sort of situation where we often get it all wrong (Nookie's thoughts!)
I'm more in line with Crazy - getting a win but no clean sheet. Last game I was optimistic and said 3-1, but we could not make it. That was away and now we are at home and they have let in more goals than we have (but also scored more), so I'll stay very optimistic at 3-1 to the Rovers (before reading Crazy's, I was thinking 2-1, but I'll up him by one), but also go with Ironside. With my luck it will be Molyneux!
posted on 24/10/23
Rovers 2-1 Salford
Ironside to score ⚽
posted on 25/10/23
Maybe blame me as I started watching the game - I have not watched the last two, and we won!
This time, I stopped watching after about 30 minutes. Our players seemed to need some radar or something to tell them where the goal actually is. What was it in the end, 20 shots and only 4 on target?
They only had 4 on target but three went in. Where were our centre-backs that allowed their main striker two easy headers? The first you could say was a little lucky as the header went into the ground and then came down from the cross bar. As Jones stayed on his line, could he have been quick enough to prevent the rebound from the bar going over the line?
However, whether Lawlor or Jones is in goal, too many simple crosses lead to headed goals.
Truly a game we should have won.
Perhaps on Saturday I go back to watching the Premier League!
posted on 25/10/23
You'd think GM would have realized by now that the Olowu ,Anderson combination doesn't work and Olowu is more of a liability than an asset.
posted on 25/10/23
Jones is the least athletic goalkeeper Rovers have had for years. He can’t catch the ball and won’t leave his line when it is fundamental that the added reach and height of an outstretched arm will get to the ball above and beyond a head.
When he palms or punches it he doesn’t have the strength to get it far enough away from the goal to prevent a follow up.
Most of his good saves are when the ball goes straight at him and he waves his arms about fortuitously, not usually managing to actually catch it or knock it very far away.
Oh yes, but he is quite a good distributor of the ball - as good as if we had an outfield player in goal.