Salford captain Liam Hogan felt his side were almost back to their best in their 2-0 victory over Wrexham on New Years Day. The Ammies head to league leaders Leyton Orient on Saturday in a crunch game with the 29 year old highlighted the importance of the clash at the Breyer Group Stadium. Speaking to salfordcityfc.co.uk after the Wrexham victory “to a man defensively it was a Salford type of performance we have seen from the early part of the season. Long may it continue, they don’t come any bigger next week”.

• Sit 3rd on 52 points – five off top spot
• One win in last five league games
• League Record – P28  W15  D7  L6  F53  A31
• Taken six points out of last 18 available

Salford’s Next Six Fixtures

Graham Alexander’s men ended their losing run against Wrexham thanks to goals from Matt Green and Rory Gaffney. Salford had lost their last four league games, dropping to third in the league but Alexander was thrilled with his sides return to winning ways. Speaking to salfordcityfc.co.uk “the players were immense today, when you get doubted you doubt yourself. It takes a big heart and a strong mind to show what you are capable of and I thought they did that today”.

Salford’s Last Six Results

Striker Matt Green has settled into life quickly at the Penisula after his move from Lincoln in December. The 32 year old has netted in back to back games and was finally able to taste victory as an Ammie. The striker was quick to praise the whole squad to salfordcityfc.co.uk “we felt more organised, resolute to what we believe in and that belief would get us the right result. We stuck to that, the whole squad dug in and stuck together to show what this group can achieve”.

• Joint top scorers in National League
• Failed to score in just three league games
• Scored in last five games – scoring nine goals
• Only failed to score in one of their last eight games
• Scored in nine of last 11 away games

Salford were only promoted to the National League last season but have their sights fully on the Football League. After bouncing back from consecutive defeats, Alexander was keen to stress to his side to grasp the chance of playing in the Football League next season. Speaking to salfordcityfc.co.uk “I can’t speak highly enough of the character of the team and individuals within the squad. I am really pleased, we have worked exceptionally hard this season and got an opportunity, we don’t want to waste it, we showed today how much we wanted to take it”.

Salford’s last four Season finishes

Striker Rory Gaffney grabbed his first goal since the end of November against Wrexham and was delighted for his side to start 2019 with a win. After playing title rivals Wrexham home and away over Christmas, Gaffney is relishing the trip to Leyton Orient on Saturday. Speaking to salfordcityfc.co.uk “these are the games we want to be involved in, big crowds. At the minute these are very important games against top teams in the league and we want to show what good team we are”.

• Away League Record – P14  W5 D4  L5  F21  A18
• Lost their last three on the road
• Winless in their last six away games – D3  L3
• All five away wins have been by two or more goals
• Last victory on road – 3-1 at Barnet, 30/10/2018

One major positive coming from the Wrexham victory that Alexander is hoping to take with him is a clean sheet. The Amnies had conceded 13 goals in the previous five games but the 47 year old revealed defensive stability needs to be on the top of his agenda. Speaking to salfordcityfc.co.uk “we need more clean sheets, I take that on board myself, we have to work on our defensive discipline and responsibilities as much as we do on our attacking senses. We are the top scorers but maybe I have taken my eye off the ball defensively, it’s something we need to address and fix”.

• Kept 10 league clean sheets
• One in their last six games
• Two in last eight games
• Conceded ten goals in last three away games

Goals Conceded by the Top 10 teams

A result on Saturday would see Salford cut the gap to Orient but the O’s have only lost once at home this season. The Amnies have only won back to back games once since October and Alexander is aware the challenge that will await his side on Saturday. Speaking to salfordcityfc.co.uk “we’ve got another serious test on Saturday, we have to look forward to it”.

• Scored 28/53 league goals in second half (11/21 away)
• Four of their last five have been in second half
• Conceded 16/31 goals in first half
• Eight have been between 31-45 minutes

Team News

Gus Mafuta is suspended after his red card against Barrow over Christmas. Matt Green looks set to continue in attack after netting in back to back games for the Amnies. Top scorer Adam Rooney and midfielder Danny Lloyd could be recalled to the starting 11 after dropping to the bench in the victory over Wrexham on New Years Day.

Alexander to salfordcityfc.co.uk on his squad “we might have to use the squad again Saturday. I felt we needed to bring in some fresh legs. It is going to take more than 11 players to have any success, it does with any team”.

Head to Head – One previous meeting

04/08/2018 – Salford City 1-1 Leyton Orient

Last Time Out – 2-0 win over Wrexham

Starting 11 vs Wrexham

Prediction – Leyton Orient 1-1 Salford