Karl Robinson feels Salford edged goalless draw at Tranmere

Posted Saturday, September 28, 2024 by PA

Salford boss Karl Robinson felt his side had the better of their scrappy 0-0 draw with Tranmere at Prenton Park.

The visitors could have been ahead in the fourth minute when Conor McAleny’s goal-bound effort was brilliantly turned around a post by Luke McGee.

McGee almost turned provider 10 minutes later when his long clearance fell to Harvey Saunders, who was unable to convert with only goalkeeper Jamie Jones to beat.

The visitors looked the more likely to go in at half-time ahead, with Kelly N’Mai and Kylian Kouassi both having good opportunities.

City began the second half strongly, with McGee once again called into action to block a shot from Haji Mnoga.

The home side’s best chance for a winner came from Saidou Khan, whose close-range header was parried by Jones, while Salford could have won it at the death when Ossama Ashley was denied by McGee.

Salford boss Karl Robinson said: “I thought we were the better team and created the better chances.

“This is the 400th Friday night game here and I know how important Friday night football is to the area and tonight I think we’ve come and shown a different side to Salford City.

“My players stood up and I think we had the best of the first half and had the better of the chances, but it just seems that in this moment in time things just aren’t falling for us.

“We’re working hard and I’m working around the clock. The fans, the players and the ownership care and we’ve had issues off the field that are out of our control.

“But we’ve come here to Tranmere and rolled up our sleeves and there are plenty of positives to come out of that.

“I just need my players to find that belief and we are going to fight for every single point.”

Rovers have now failed to score in three games and boss Nigel Adkins admitted the lack of goals was an issued that needed addressing.

He said: “It’s disappointing and feels like a bit of a defeat.

“I thought we started well and you’ve always got to be happy with a clean sheet the way the last two games have gone, so that’s a positive.

“Both sides had to compete and it’s fair to say that we did compete. We had 16 shots and 23 crosses and had the opportunities to score. We know we’re not scoring goals so we have to address that.

“It was a different approach to the last two games and that was there for everyone to see, but it wasn’t really the game we wanted and the quality has got to be better.

“I feel the same as the supporters, I want us to go and score, I want us to go and win and I want us to be exciting on a Friday night at Prenton Park and, even though we’ve got the point and the clean sheet, I’m disappointed.”