Salford City find themselves climbing up the League 2 table after a run of three straight victories in League 2.
Neil Wood’s side has struggled this season following a strong start which saw them win their first game of the season against Forest Green before incredibly beating Preston North End and Leeds United to play against Premier League side Burnley, which was the club’s first ever meeting with top division opponents.
Whilst the team upset Leeds United in the cup, their league form was far from anything to write home about losing against Accrington Stanley, Morecambe, Walsall, Notts County and Harrogate Town all in a row. When the side got heavily defeated 4-0 by Premier League Burnley it seemed to be a blessing in disguise as since that game the side has bounced back to form winning the past three fixtures in a row.
This includes an impressive 4-2 win against third placed Crewe Alexandra on the weekend and a clean sheet away at Sutton United on October 3.
Injuries have certainly not helped the Ammies with Callum Hendry and Ossama Ashley being two of the most high profile injuries for the side.
When asked about the clubs poor form Neil Wood said: “Injuries have not helped us, but we have to keep battling on, there is no time to sit around and feel sorry for ourselves, there are important games to prepare for.”
Wood has had limited resources to work with and even admitted that the side had only 11 players at training at one point amid the club’s injury crisis.
Wood has had to rely on younger players coming through to fill the bench at times and had to start players that normally would not, with players such as Declan John and Ethan Ingram coming in to cover the injuries at fullback.
The players have more than repaid their manager’s trust by putting in some world class performances. In particular in defence which has been tightened up with the new fullbacks putting in great performances as well as keeper Alex Cairns.
A huge factor in this turnaround has been the form of Matt Smith and Kelly N’Mai. Smith who is formerly of Leeds United has scored three in his last three games and looks a constant threat from set pieces as his 6ft 6 frame can be difficult to defend in and around the 6-yard box. N’Mai on the other hand has excelled in the wide areas for the Ammies with his pace and trickery causing fullbacks many problems. N’Mai scored his first goal of the season in the 2-0 win away to Sutton United.
Wood has done a brilliant job of riding the pressure on him to help the team climb back up to mid-table, where the team will be expected to go on again and challenge the top teams of the division.
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