Salford City assistant coach Alex Bruce has said his side are “raring to go” as they prepare to play tonight.
They make a short trip to The Wirral and face Tranmere Rovers, with both sides having an identical record of two wins, draws and losses each. City and Rovers lost in their last matches, with The Ammies being beaten by Walsall, whilst Nigel Adkins’ side losing decisively against Colchester United.
Former Hull City defender Bruce, who joined the staff at Moor Lane last season, spoke to club media about the defeat to The Saddlers last time out. He said: “I thought we played well in the first half, and if anything I think the lads came in at half time a little bit disappointed that we weren’t a goal or two to the good.
“We started the second half a little bit flat, obviously we then conceded, and ultimately struggled to get hold of the game again after that.
“That first ten or fifteen minutes after the interval, we’ve conceded a few goals in that time, so we need to look at that.
“That’s something that we have highlighted. So we’ll be looking to certainly start the second half better Friday night.
“But, I still think there was a lot of positives to take from the performance, it was a tight game and unfortunately it just didn’t go our way on the day.”
The Super White Army return to Prenton Park after a three-game run on the road which has seen them cross the country with visits to Carlisle United and Colchester. Rovers have only played at home twice but are yet to lose there in league play.
It was a momentous occasion the last time the two faced each other, with a clinical 5-1 victory for Adkins’ side marking the end of Neil Wood’s spell at Salford. Karl Robinson replaced him the next month and guided The Ammies to safety in the final weeks of the season.
The former MK Dons boss has been linked with the newly-opened vacancy at Crawley Town following Scott Lindsey’s departure to the side Robinson guided to the Championship. It is the latest domino to fall in a chain started by the removal of Paul Simpson at Carlisle at the start of this month.
Bruce previewed what he expected from his opponents tonight, adding: “We know it is going to be a tough game, Friday nights under the lights at Prenton Park, they are good matches, I think we had a very good result there last season as well, so we’ll be hoping for more of the same.
“I think night games are always good occasions, if I’m being honest as a player, I used to love playing at night. So I think it is a game the lads will look forward to and fingers crossed we can get the right result.
“The lads have trained well all week, we’ve got a couple of niggles, so we’ve got to monitor those and we’re still monitoring a couple, so we’ll see how they come through today and after training, and see what pops up overnight, because there’s normally always something, and then we’ll go there tomorrow.
“But all the lads have trained well this week. It’s been a good solid week and we’re fit and raring to go.”
Writer’s View
Salford City have made a decent start to the season, a far cry from the woes they faced at this stage last year. However, they are struggling for goals so far, scoring a league-low four in their opening six games. Tranmere will offer yet another tough test for City but based on their recent performances under the lights, at home to MK Dons and the EFL Cup shock against Leeds United last season, The Ammies do enjoy night games.
Rumours of Karl Robinson leaving have emerged in recent days due to the managerial merry-go-round in League Two. He is a well-liked figure at the club and has finally got the chance to fully implement his vision with the club and that has shown with the contrast of form between this and last season. In particular, loaning Stephan Negru from former club Oxford United has paid off for Robinson, being one of the best young defenders in the league so far. It would be a real blow should Crawley Town poach him.
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