Salford City manager Karl Robinson said it was ‘wonderful’ when asked about the performance of his players in their 2-0 win over Barnet at the Peninsula Stadium.
Two quick-fire goals at the end of the first half from Rosaire Longelo and Matt Butcher laid out the foundations for a convincing home win against Barnet.
The first goalscorer was offensive wing-back Longelo, who beat Barnet goalkeeper Kieran Slicker with an effort across the target ending up on the inside of the far post.
Karl Robinson wasn’t short of praise for the 26-year-old: “Ross deserved that goal for how well he’s been performing this year. He’s been very, very good with maybe not the accolades because of the output with assisting goals. Today to get a goal was incredibly pleasing for him.”
Praise also went in the direction of Matt Butcher, who was on the end of some beautiful play, as Ryan Graydon and Cole Stockton linked up to leave it for a Butcher half volley from 12 yards.
Robinson said: “I thought Matt Butcher, who’s been in the sort of being not involved much recently was sensational with his energy in the middle of the pitch.”
Salford remained comprehensive at the back, gaining a clean sheet which pleased the Salford manager, who was especially pleased with centre-back Zach Awe.
Robinson said: “If you watch the game today, Adi in the middle of that back 4 was honestly, he’s a beast.
“He’s been out for a long, long time and we’ve missed him. And today, he performed in a way that was just insane.”
It was truly a perfect early game for the Ammies as what it felt it was the first time in a while that they ended the game with no new injuries.
Robinson touched on his injury crisis: “By the way, 11-13 players out, seven would be foreseen as out of the starting 11, not available. When is anybody going to associate with these lads, well done? We’ve had so many difficult moments, but we’re still soldiering on, but we don’t come out moaning’.
Robinson also spoke about the confidence that he has in his players and how he applies that to the dressing room moving forward.
‘That’s my style. Hopefully, many more games to go and many, many difficult games that we’ve got to compete with, where we can make sure that we put our front foot forward and stay together as a group’.
Robinson and his players are back in the playoff spots, going up a whole three positions to finish the game week in sixth.
