Wrexham (H) - Sat 3rd February

[tangerinedream]

This weekend sees the media circus roll into town with the visit of Wrexham. Currently lying second in the league, although with a game in hand on Stockport County, the Red Dragons will be looking to bounce back from a midweek mauling at Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup 4th Round. Two defeats coupled with two wins from their last four league outings clearly suggests that they aren't invincible and we should take heart from our meeting at the Racecourse Ground back in mid October where we snatched defeat from victory allowing the hosts to score twice in the last two minutes to compound a 3-2 defeat. The mood in our camp has changed dramatically, along with performances, with the arrival of new gaffer Karl Robinson. Two wins and two draws has seen us take two more points in four games under his stewardship than we did in the previous eleven games before his appointment. Under previous boss Neil Wood we would have adopted a negative and ultra cautious approach preferring not to concede (which would have never worked out) rather than looking to win the game. Thankfully the arrival of Karl Robinson has turned us into an attack minded side which has reaped instant rewards. Long may it continue!

[tangerinedream]

Wonder if Luke Bolton will be playing against us this weekend?


www.salfordcityfc.co.uk/news/2024/february/01/luke-bolton-leaves-for-wrexham/?fbclid=IwAR0okfTSqRrTnA2AdbCTiHxCua28T7M2dozgCSUxzUokjKELbz7DnSAHVl4

[tangerinedream]

Somewhat frustrated that Luke Bolton has left us at this stage of the season particularly with the arrival of Karl Robinson which has seen him return from 'injury' a very much happier and rejuvenated player. I think opinion over his departure will be very mixed. Prior to his long 'absence' he frustrated the life out of me with his seeming inability to beat an opposing defender as well as being unable to put in any sort of decent crosses into the area. He's clearly got the speed but that alone doesn't make him indisposable. His frustration having been played out of position by Neil Wood had seemed to have disappeared under KR's arrival who put him where he should be - out on the wing - and his change of attitude and commitment has been clear to see. That said, it's evident that he's looking for a move to 'better' himself and if he's determined to go then we might as well take the money with his contract due to expire at the end of the season. I just hope that what we receive for him is invested back into the team as his departure does leave us looking unbalanced on the right flank.

[alanb]

Again, this is winnable. I'm mightily impressed by Karl's power to inspire and motivate our players - to a level way beyond what we, pre-Robinson, would have thought possible. And, we should be emboldened by the fact that Wrexham's away record this season is not good ... Wrexham's damage is overwhelmingly done during their home games. They have only scored 11 away league goals - the equal bottom-lowest tally in League 2. 

This could be one of the rare occasions when playing at Moor Lane should be to our advantage.

[salfordiandude]

As long as we make the game difficult, making Moor Lane a “fortress” is what we need.

I’m looking forward to this game, I think because Robbo is in charge and has done extremely well to re motivate a group of people who were down on the floor, and secondly, because it’s one of the games you want to play at home against a top side.

Bring on 3pm, well I mean 1ish, that’s when I can grab a beer.

[je85]

I hope we start fast and get about their box with numbers. We have a bit more about us than when we capitulated at their place earlier in the season. Crewe proved we can mix it with the form teams so the lads should be confident.

All I have ever wanted from Salford is to be L2s biggest arse ache for opponents and with the moves this week it’s set up for us to get a big win. The way the season has panned out we have the luxury… almost, of just looking at delivering a performance - the league position will take care of its self so I hope we go for it today. Salford 3 MickeyMouse, Deadpool and the Philly dwarf 2. LFG! UTA!!!

[alanb]

Just back. What a performance. This team. This 'manager.' We can beat anyone.

[tangerinedream]

Karl Robinson post match ....

[je85]

Mickey Mouse your boys took a hell of a beating! Choooo choooo is that the Wrexham hype train or the excuse train??? Made them look like a Pub team today, easily the worst away performance at ML this season. I don’t mind admitting I am giddy after that, but at no point going into today did I see anything but a Salford win because the goals the ‘run away favourites’ are conceding is our plan A under KR. The way we got balls in the box between nullifying their opportunities to get into any kind of rhythm was the definition of doing what’s required to beat the opponent on the day.

Watson will need to check himself leaving the ground tonight - Keys, Wallet and Elliot Lee. They evacuated the centre of the pitch so readily early on I thought Watt played with grenades in his hands and the pin in his teeth. Wrexhams midfield was amateurish at best, it was too easy for Watt and Connor Mac to regain possession off the second balls. Even when they tried to get overly physical they looked daft. The foundation of the back four and the midfield 2 was excellent, add in Luamba’s physicality and Morton’s running it’s very satisfying to say that was a very professional performance.

The feel in the ground despite the swathes of Welsh Accents in the west stand, was much more positive and in my opinion welcomed. We looked like an established L2 side today against a group of L1 & L2 players thrown together and softened by their own arrogance in the National League. From our perspective their goal was soft and against the run of play but we thoroughly deserved the win today. N’Mai’s ‘personal’ battle with Bolton was as much of a highlight as Vassell’s goal and Watt scoring from a corner. That is as close to a complete 90” I have seen from a Salford side in years… and it seemed there was more to come. Days like today will be what the remainder of the season should be about - prepare, turn up, entertain, win… forever in blue jeans. UTA!

[chipbarm]

The difference in the team from a month ago is ridiculous. We look energetic, quick and play on the front foot. We pinned Wrexham in their own half for the first 40 minutes and their goal was a travesty. Under NW we'd have collapsed but they just got going again and thoroughly deserved our first home win in nearly 4 months. Wrexham had no goal threat whatsoever, I can't remember Cairns making a serious save and their forwards just resorted to falling over all the time with Mullins constantly whining at the ref.

We've clawed back a bit of the gap to the likes of Bradford and Tranmere now and there's a gap of about 5 points to Colchester and Donny with Sutton and FGR miles behind so I think the relegation threat has been banished. We should finish comfortably upper mid table now which we would never have had a hope of under NW.

Bolton got some stick from South Stand which was nice. He gave a perfect example of his pros and cons, quick of course but that cross into the stand, my word.

[jayb99]

What a game. The difference in attitude in this team from little over a month is amazing. I thought Bolton hated playing wing back under NW? Back there today! Bolton got loads of stick and showed why I found him so frustrating at Salford, N'Mai had him in knots. Couldn't pick a Man Of Match today- Vassell, Luamba, Smith and Watt were all class.

[alanb]

It's hard to believe that today I was watching the very same Salford that I was watching at Accrington Stanley, only a month ago. And what a truly depressing debacle that Jan 1st game was!
I'm just a bit sick that Karl Robinson wasn't in command right from the beginning of this season; as, had he been, we'd now be sitting in the top three.

Mind you, it is still possible that we could make the play-offs.

Thank you Salford for a hell of an entertaining afternoon.

[Chris P. Bacon]

The fact that the owners were reluctant to sack yet another manager may cost us a place in the playoffs this season, though it’s still possible.

I always thought we could win today. So much so, I had a score on us at 2/1. I actually cashed out for more than double my money at 2-0, knowing that if they got one back, my takings would go down. 😁

The transformation is amazing. One selection I criticised (before the game) was Callum Morton, but he did alright given his lack of games. Callum Hendry looked very slow and short of game fitness, but that’s understandable.

We could have been 4-0 up at half time, such was our dominance. Rarely did they trouble us, because we defended better than we have for some time. Smith was dominant in both attack and defence…..I may be on my own here, but if he carries on like this for the rest of the season, I’d keep him for next season. As he happily admits , he has no pace at all, so as long as he can jump, he can play. He has I think, 19 goals now, 1 behind Langstaff in a team that is 19th in the league. I can see why Watt got the MoM award, but I would have given it to Luamba. Another transformation under the new manager. Unlucky not to get two goals and ran their left back ragged all game….and I said we’d regret selling Bolton. Talking of Bolton I couldn’t believe he was boo’d. He did nothing wrong at Salford.

The players yesterday were all players who were here when KR took over, so what’s he done to get them playing like this? Tactics are obviously different, so different that my eyes widened when Cairns rollled the ball out. 😁 But it has to be more than that. The players must have bought into his philosophy in the first 15 minutes after he met them. It also goes to highlight just how toxic the atmosphere must have been for WEEKS during his tenure.

I truly enjoyed my day yesterday and although I was a little nervous in those long injury time minutes, we never really looked like losing. Long may it continue.

[kckahuna]

Hi guys Good to see your massive improvement in recent weeks.I'm a St Johnstone fan so always keep an eye on your results just to see how Calum Hendrh is fairing.I recently got a bet away at 28/1 fir you to finish top half,you're now 11/4.Anyway good luck to all of us that happens.Just a shame they took so long to change the manager!

[je85]

EFL Highlights from yesterday, 100% better than what we get on the club channel. Look out for Phil Parkinson’s petulance with Smith at full time - almost as laughable as his moaning about the pitch before the warm ups.