'Infuriated' Karl Robinson calls out Salford City's 'soft underbelly' after League Two defeat at Newport

Cole Stockton registered his first goal of the season with a late consolation for Salford, after Kyle Hudlin, Aaron Wildig, and Michael Spellman had given the hosts a three-goal lead. The loss at Rodney Parade leaves the Ammies 20th in League Two, with nine points from their opening eight games, having scored just five goals – the second fewest in the league.

Robinson said: “I think we found there’s been a soft underbelly for way too long. There’s been a flippancy to some of the things we do in and out of possession.

“I don’t think any of the players let themselves down individually. But I question the characters when certain individuals need to collectively grab the group, some of the younger players especially and get connected from the backline to the midline to the topline.”

His side’s struggles in front of goal are a particular frustration for Robinson.

“My team scores goals,” the Salford boss said. “So, for me to be stood there and see us not score enough goals or ask enough questions of the opposition it infuriates me.”

Although they were unbeaten in their first three away league games before Newport, Salford have struggled to score goals and win matches. Two wins in eight league games have increased the pressure ahead of this weekend’s home clash with 11th-placed AFC Wimbledon.

Robinson told the club’s YouTube channel: “When it gets to Saturday it has to change. It has to be better, it really does. We’ve been good on the road, I don’t think that team we came up against tonight has been as good as Tranmere, Chesterfield, and Bradford. That’s the bit that’s really frustrating me.”

The manager paid tribute to the travelling supporters who made the seven-hour round trip to support the Ammies.

He said: “The biggest positive is the fans who came out, we thank them for their support. It’s important we know how difficult it is to travel so far down here and to keep singing and saying the right thing and trying to back the players. We appreciate that, we’ve let them down.”