The Salford City Gazette
Market12 May 2036
Alexander Harris asks to leave Salford City
“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.
The dugout12 May 2036
No hiding place for Katia Kouyaté
“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Katia Kouyaté, and the manager let it.
The dugout12 May 2036
Anton Schneider knocks on the manager's door
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Salford City, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Market12 May 2036
Talks stall between Salford City and Gerrard Buabo
“We are a long way apart, and pretending otherwise helps nobody.” Neither side is close, and the calendar is not on the club's side.
The dugout12 May 2036
Mark Wright gets picked when it counts
Every manager keeps a short list in his head of the men he wants on the pitch when the stakes rise, and it is never published. The team sheets for the big afternoons say Mark Wright is on it.
Squad12 May 2036
Stephen Hawkins has had enough of the bench
“I did not come here to warm up in front of people.” He is out of contract eventually, he is old enough to count the weeks, and Salford City will have to give him a reason to stay or an exit.
Boardroom12 May 2036
Salford City keep producing them
86 graduates from an academy now rated 7 out of 20. A club this size does not survive any other way, and every name on that list is known in the town.
Squad12 May 2036
Anton Schneider is not doing himself any favours
A manager forgives a bad Saturday far more readily than a bad Tuesday, because one of them he can explain and the other one he chose. The reports this week have not been good.
Market12 May 2036
Still no signature from Alexander Harris
7 months left and the two sides are nowhere near each other. Every week this drags on takes money off what Salford City could get for him.
In brief
- Market Portsmouth send scouts to watch Devonte Ferguson
- Match Mid-table, and Salford City know it
- Squad Benjamin James back in training