The Opposition: Salford City (H)

The Opposition: Salford City (H)
The lowdown on our opening day opponents

August 4th 2023FGR Media

The football season gets back underway on Saturday as we take on Salford City at The New Lawn.

The game will be David Horseman's first competitive match in charge of Rovers as we look to get off to a winning start to the 23/24 campaign.

Having recorded their highest-ever finish last season, Salford are once again among the League Two promotion favourites - and will be looking to go one better this season.

Here's everything you need to know about our opening day opponents...

THE GAFFER

Neil Wood is now heading into his second full season with Salford, after becoming the club's Head Coach in the summer of 2022. Wood had been working in Manchester United's Academy before making the short hop to the Peninsula Stadium, starting at United's Under-13s before progressing to the Under-23s.

Wood led Salford to their highest-ever finish last season, with the Ammies finishing seventh and setting-up a play-off semi-final clash with Stockport County, who they were defeated by on penalties.

The 40-year-old was a midfielder during a short playing career, turning out for the likes of Coventry City, Burnley and Blackpool.

SUMMER BUSINESS

Having retained much of last season's squad, Neil Wood has made a few minor tweaks to his side for the upcoming season.

The Ammies have made Alex Cairns' loan into a permanent move, with the experienced goalkeeper penning a two-year deal after leaving Fleetwood Town.

Experience has been a key theme of Salford's summer business. Left-back Luke Garbutt boasts 200 appearances across England's top four tiers, as well as 11 caps for England Under-21s. Across the defence, former FGR promotion-winner Curtis Tilt has also arrived at the Peninsula Stadium having played 26 games in the Championship for Wigan Athletic last season.

23-year-old Ossama Ashley has also signed from Colchester United for an undisclosed fee. The athletic midfielder made 28 appearances last term, joining the Us last summer from West Ham United.

ONE TO WATCH

Elliot Watt was a key player in Salford's play-off charge last season, appearing in 46 of their 48 games (including play-offs). In the top four tiers of English football, only Kevin De Bruyne (20) registered more assists than Watt's 15 last term. He even grabbed three assists in one game in a 5-2 win at Mansfield Town in February.

The 23-year-old was highly-rated during his youth days at Wolves, before making a permanent move to Bradford City in 2020, where he enhanced his reputation even more. He was an ever-present during his two years at Valley Parade, although goals and assists were limited, but now the technical midfielder is racking up the goal contributions.

FAMILIAR FACE

Former Forest Green defender Liam Shepherd signed a two-year contract extension at Salford City this summer, having already spent the last couple of years at the Ammies.

The Welsh full-back made 67 appearances during his two full seasons at The New Lawn, playing an instrumental role in Rovers' fifth-placed finish in League Two in the 2018/19 season.

Following two successful campaigns at Rovers, Shepherd moved to Newport County and was part of the side that knocked FGR out of the League Two play-offs in the 2020/21 season.

Shephard will be hoping to get more games under his belt this season, having only made 11 appearances last campaign due to a long-term injury.