League Two Rovers (3) v Salford (4)

[Ian]

We are only a week or so into the season and the games are coming thick and fast. Next up for Rovers are The Ammies who will make the short trip to Prenton Park. Ian Dawes has mentioned in his pre match interview starting with the strongest XI and is now looking for consistency from his players so I think we will see a team similar to Tuesday night.

Salford will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing 2-0 defeat against Grimsby after a decent start to the season. Their campaign got under way with a 2-0 win against FGR, they then beat Preston on penalties in the EFL cup and gained a point against Crawley last Saturday.

Salford are a point ahead in the league but a win for Rovers would see them in the top half of the table. Forward Matt Smith who has a decent record at this level should front the attack with ex-rover Ryan Watson pulling the strings in midfield. Ossama Ashley will not feature alongside Watson in midfield as he serves a ban for a sending off against Grimsby.

If we can put in a performance like we did against Harrogate I see no reason why we can't get all three points.

 

[Am on mobile]

Yes same team as Tuesday from the start get at em and smash em all over now if Taylor scones again we could have a problem with the window still open

 

[Boz]

Another game I'll miss. The impression I got from some reports of the Harrogate game was some of the younger players particularly were looking jaded towards the end of that game. While the same starting xi is most likely, it will give Dawes something to think about and maybe introduce fresh legs at an earlier stage of the game.

Salford apparently quite a physical team according to Grimsby fans. How will this Rovers side respond to an opponent dishing out the rough stuff, particukarly as there is a rookie ref Scott Tallis in the middle.

 

[bigmart]

A tough game but one I fancy us to win 2 1

 

[Sparky]

Matt Smifh if he plays is a real handful but if we start the game well, get the first goal then 3 points is possible.

Unless any injuries I’ll be surprised if Dawes makes any changes to the starting eleven. Like boz I’m missing this one but hopefully the last game at PP I miss this season.

 

[Am on mobile]

Well as usual I am in the kitchen so will have laptop with commentary on we will win Taylor master class 3 for him 5-0

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

As in previous seasons Salford have good players, but their results to date suggest they are still a bit flakey. We have got a good record against them at Prenton Park and we should be targeting three points from this game.

I don't like to see Dennis used as a number ten, rather than in his preferred position. However, after the performances on Tuesday night and in the second half at MK, Dawes will be justified in selecting an unchanged eleven. There might be some changes after half time due to the recent heavy schedule.

A victory would be a confidence boost ahead of two very tough fixtures against the so-called big hitters.

 

[Am on mobile]

It would be brilliant if dennis gets of the mark soon just for his confidence and we need it

 

[Am on mobile]

Unchanged from Tuesday happy with that

 

[bigmart]

Jennings header crack cross O'Connor 1 0

 

[Am on mobile]

Glad that dennis the menace is off the mark great to see Wrexham losing 4-1

 

[Ian]

Pretty open game. Rovers have done well with the goals but we are being stretched defensively. I can see more goals second half.

 

[bigmart]

2 2 first attack the half they score they look very dangerous and we are not coping with their system our full backs having tough game

 

[bigmart]

Lewis and Yarney ht subs for O'Connor and Norris look like both injured

 

[Boz]

The match stats suggesting that Salford have the bulk of the possession. Those injuries a concern.

 

[bigmart]

3 2 down they better team, leake is getting destroyed

 

[Sparky]

Just checking the score - why have Lewis and Jolley come on but not hawkes?!?

 

[Boz]

Hawkes now on for Leake, presume we’re going to 3 at the back and playing wing-backs?

 

[Boz]

It will be interesting to hear from those who attended, but a worrying scoreline. I didn’t feel the Harrogate win was as comfortable as some regulars and it sounds like we were clinically polished off by Salford today. With some testing games up next, need to be picking up some points.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

I thought the performance was a mess and we got what we deserved.

There was some encouragement from the attacking play in the first half, with Jennings and Norris again performing well and Dennis scoring his first goal. However, we ceded far too much possession to the opposition and did not get to grips with their 3-4-3 formation and were slightly fortunate to go in ahead at half time.

The loss of Norris and O'Connor to injury at half time was obviously key, but the second half performance was a disorganised shambles. The decision to bring on Lewis ahead of Hawkes and others was peculiar when we needed to get back on the front foot, and the switch to three at the back with Morris and Hawkes as wing backs left us completely open defensively and Salford were able to walk through us at will in the final thirty minutes. The manager had sufficient options to put out a solid side in the second half, and he has questions to answer after that display I am afraid.

The players did battle to the end, as disjointed as the performance was, but we did not deserve anything from the game. The scoreline demonstrates that we have greater attacking threats this season, but with defensive performances like that we will get nowhere.