Salford

[gazan]

I have to confess that any pre-season optimism has been replaced by a fear that it's all going to go wrong. I'm generally a pessimist but I'm really worried this season by the lack of depth, particularly at the back. Does he really expect Williams to sign? I just can't see Mickey being injury free and I'm not convinced by Connolly. Dancey has shown up well in pre-season but it's a risk him (and Croker) being the only defensive back up.
So today, I worry that Salford will turn us over. I'm hoping that it's not a disaster but 0-3.

[Teammoo]

For once I am optimistic about the season (don't know why). I think a 2-1 win today. While I'm being optimistic I'll predict a 6th place finish. I know you havn't started a prediction thread this season but I thought I'll put it out there.
Lets hope the pessimisim doesn't return by 5 O'clock.

[ShropshireAlex]

Very noticeable that in the interview with McGarry they discussed Zac Williams quite openly - either he signs, or we bring in another CH I suspect if he goes somewhere (and sounds like LB still thinks he might stay), but no mention at all of Bogle. Even McGarry must realize we all want news there, so they must have said before recording not to bring it up. That's the real problem with completing the squad I'm sure - wonder if this "illness" stuff is to try and get insurance to pay him off not club funds, so we can all move on .......

[toadpole]

For once I am optimistic about the season (don't know why). I think a 2-1 win today. While I'm being optimistic I'll predict a 6th place finish. I know you havn't started a prediction thread this season but I thought I'll put it out there.
Lets hope the pessimisim doesn't return by 5 O'clock.

About time we had some luck - we woz robbed away at Salford last season.

Going for a 3-1 win ...

Calum Agius MOTM

... Oh, and a top 5 finish

Fantastic turnout by Alex fans again today.

[toadpole]

Half-time 1-2, so far, so good 🤞

[toadpole]

Half-time 1-2, so far, so good 🤞

Ooooooooops - wasn't expecting that HT 1-3

Our new striker Thomas dun good 🙄

[toadpole]

That'll do !!!!!

🙄😉😮😁👍

[lukcour]

Wow now that is a surprise. 2 Goals for Thomas. Who needs strikers LOL. Excellent result. Looking forward to our first home game.

[Gobstopper]

Wow now that is a surprise. 2 Goals for Thomas. Who needs strikers LOL. Excellent result. Looking forward to our first home game.

3 Simple goals but the build up play was excellent a pity we didn't score more on a ground that hasn't been good for us in the past. A superb first win for our opening game should give some optimism going forward. Shouldn't get carried away but certainly looking forward to our first home game.

[gazan]

That really was a surprise. That 1st half was frenetic. Glad of a breather at half-time. And, as LB said, it could have been 5-2 at 45 minutes, though I think he was underestimating the chances we created (Connolly could have had a couple with a bit of luck).
The second half, the Alex slowed it down but still had a couple of clear cut chances and hit the bar.
So who caught the eye? Well, Connolly had his best game in a Crewe shirt, at both ends. O'Reilly is a really skillful player who has a lot to give. Unfortunately, because of his tricky feet there's bound to be some L2 players who will endeavour to take him out. One negative was his lack of covering a couple of times which meant Billington had to work very hard.March is continuing to be the all action number 9. He didn't score today but was buzzing around everywhere. I also thought Lunt had a good game, breaking up the opposition, very no nonsense.
Then there's the referee!! I've seen worse but the inconsistency! I'm not sure what he saw to give a penalty after only 4 minutes but he never saw it again despite MickeyD being wrestled every time there was a corner. He was also a referee heavily influenced by players with falling down disease. He gave us a couple of doubtful free kicks too but the Salford players had it bad. He also missed a couple of off the ball incidents both committed by players already on a yellow card. Robinson obviously saw one of them as he quickly subbed off the sub.
So one swallow etc but still a pleasing afternoon out. We don't know how good/bad Salford are going to be. A couple of blokes behind me summed it all up. We play like this today but we'll probably blow it against Accrington!