SALFORD were tipped by many to be in the thick of the promotion fight.

But halfway through their first campaign in the EFL, the Ammies are still finding their feet.

Currently sat in 14th spot, Graham Alexander’s side are nine points off the play-offs – but expected to bolster their top-seven pursuit with a busy month in the January transfer window.

City midfielder Danny Devine is one name already thrown into the rumour mill and Salford are likely to be linked with plenty.

With their hefty financial backing from the Class of 92, David Beckham, the Nevilles, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, plus Singapore businessman Peter Lim, Salford are not intending to hang around for long in the fourth tier.

But Alexander admits it is still a learning process for a side with only six wins under their belt to date.

“We have to understand the realities in the Football League are extremely hard, harsh and there’s no forgiveness for switching off at any moment,” he said after last week’s home loss to Exeter.

“In professional football you don’t always get what you deserve but if our team can replicate that performance for the next 20-odd games then we’ll win games without a shadow of a doubt.”

Salford have taken only one point from the last four league outings since winning at Newport on November 2. They have not scored in the last three.

Scunthorpe loanee Cameron Burgess hit the bar against second-placed Exeter and Alexander has been pleased with the number of chances being created.

"As an attacking performance, if you analyse it I thought we were very good. We passed the ball, we trusted each other with it, we made good decisions.”

Alexander gave Brandon Thomas-Asante his first league start up front but Adam Rooney could be recalled.