City chief: time to get clinical on a big stage

MANAGER Graham Alexander has expressed his excitement ahead of Salford City’s trip to Bradford City this afternoon, as he targets a more clinical approach from his side.

The Ammies head to Valley Parade in the midst of a poor run of form, with Alexander’s outfit without a win in League Two since November 2, nor a goal in their last three outings.

However, the Scotsman said: “It’s a massive venue – an ex-Premier League venue – so it’s a great opportunity for our players, our team and our supporters to go there and showcase what Salford City is about.

“These are the sorts of venues that the club and the players consistently want to play at so it’s a good test. They’re a good team, first and foremost, before the size of the crowd and ground, so we’ll go there positive, looking to get the result, but it’s a tough game for us.”

Although only two teams have bettered Salford City’s tally of 14 away goals in the fourth tier, the Ammies have scored two goals from their last 47 attempts, and Alexander berated his side’s lack of quality in front of goal.

“I wouldn’t say we’ve talked a lot about the previous game; people will talk about being unlucky, but I don’t see it about luck, it’s about having that final bit of quality and composure in the final moment.

“(But) it’s important that you don’t overdo it and make it a big thing in the mind, because the biggest thing about scoring goals is being composed and relaxed. If you talk and work about it too much it can have a counter-effect, so less talking, more doing this week.”

Alexander concluded by insisting that his side are more than prepared for their showdown with the Bantams, with their previous misfortunes firmly behind them.

“The one thing you can’t do is feel sorry for yourselves, start feeling like we’re unlucky because that’s not the case. We haven’t got the rewards as in the goals we wanted to score, but certainly our general performance has been quite good.

“Over the course of a season you generally, if you perform well, get the results you deserve so that’s why we’ve got to continue to work in the way we are.”