Salford Captain Ash Eastham has urged fans to keep supporting the team in a covid-safe manner during the Christmas period ahead of Saturday’s fixture against Stevenage.
At the government’s latest Coronavirus press conference, both Professor Chris Whitty and Dr Nikki Kanani suggested people limit their interactions and prioritise what really matters to them in wake of the Omicron variant spreading rapidly throughout the country.
But Eastham is hoping Salford fans will continue to back his side this weekend, he said: “It showed for me in the first lockdown how less enjoyable football is without fans, it’s difficult to play without fans and their support.
“At the same time we understand that this Covid situation seems to be flaring up again, so everybody should follow the guidance.”
Photo credit: Salford City FC (Charlotte Tattersall)
Salford fans have the chance to cheer on the Ammies this weekend as they look to record their first victory of the month as they welcome Stevenage to Moor Lane on Saturday.
The Ammies, after being unbeaten in November, have lost both of their games so far in December so a match against 22nd placed Stevenage offers manager Gary Bowyer the chance to get confidence back in his side in the run up to the congested festive fixtures.
Bowyer’s side played a back five in defensive transitions during their defeat last week to Mansfield, but it is likely that he will impose a more attacking line-up this weekend.
Stevenage tend to line-up with a compact 4-4-2 formation; with veteran midfielder Chris Lines tucking in from the wing to restrict opposition in the middle of the park.
Although it hasn’t worked to perfection so far this season, with the club five points behind Salford, the midfielder is still a player to watch out for. Lines is a set piece specialist with experience of promotion at former clubs.
New Stevenage manager Paul Tisdale will be hoping the experienced midfielder can help him to turn around the club’s recent misfortune, as they find themselves in the relegation zone.
On Stevenage, Eastham said: “They’re a team that obviously haven’t had great form this season, but with teams like that you’d hope they’ve got something to fight for, if they’ve got something about them.”
Salford have successful recent history over Stevenage, though, with the Ammies winning all four of their previous meetings. Stevenage are in worse form, with no win in five games and so Salford will be hoping to return to their fine form of November, which lead to Bowyer being nominated for manager of the month.
Image Credit: Salford City FC (Charlotte Tattersall)
Form is pivotal in the build-up to the Christmas period, as Ash Eastham admits: “In the space of five or six days you can play three games, so we’ve got to get a collective tally of points and go into a new year with positive form.”
Salford take on Stevenage on Saturday afternoon at the Peninsula Stadium.
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