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Gary Bowyer was cool headed in a press conference before his 50th game in charge of Salford City against Forest Green Rovers this Saturday.

Bowyer arrived at Salford on a short-term deal from Derby County Under 23s in March last year, and signed a permanent deal with the club in May 2021.

So far this season, Bowyer has guided his side to 11th place in League Two with the club’s play-off hopes still being kept alive.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of Saturday’s fixture, Bowyer admitted he had not realised that the fixture was his 50th as the Ammies boss, comically commenting: “It feels a lot longer, trust me!”

His side host League Two leaders Forest Green Rovers on Saturday, with Salford looking to make it three wins from three matches in their search for promotion.

However, when asked about the club’s elusive play-off aims this season, Bowyer refused to comment and instead said: “The aim has been no different to when I first arrived last March and that’s focussing on the next game.”

In spite of this, Bowyer still does not believe his side are at their peak yet, he said: “I don’t think we’re hitting our best, I think there’s more to come from us, I really do.”

A win for Salford could put them up to 10th in the table, above Port Vale, but this would rely on the latter losing to 20th place Colchester United.

The Ammies are in good form following their 2-1 away victory against Swindon Town last week, where Ashley Hunter grabbed his fifth assist of the season and Ryan Watson scored an 86th minute winner to seal the three points.

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Salford City forward, Ashley Hunter. Photo credit Salford City FC (Charlotte Tattersall) permission to use photo from Will Moorcroft.

In an interview with Salford Now, Hunter said he has seen himself as more of a provider this season, to which Bowyer joked: “He’s now seeing himself as a provider because he hasn’t scored many goals this season.

“He’s got to start contributing goals as well, I’m not talking behind his back its a conversation that we’ve had. All joking apart, we need more from him.”

The reverse fixture between Salford and Forest Green Rovers, ended in a 3-1 defeat for the Ammies, after a wondrous Nicky Cadden free-kick kick-started a three goal Rovers comeback in October.

However Forest Green are currently struggling, winning only one of their last five fixtures. That victory came against Rochdale on February 8.

Despite their recent blip in form, Bowyer showed respect to Saturday’s opponents, praising their great season so far, saying: “They’ve been top right from the start and carried it through.

“We’ve watched the videos, we know where their strengths are and we’ve identified areas of where we feel we might be able to gain an advantage.

“We can’t get carried away, this game has got a great habit for putting you in your place if you do get carried away.”

Feature image credit: Salford City Football Club (Charlotte Tattersall).

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