James Trafford provides honest response to Man City game-time situation after FA Cup victory | OneFootball

Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford has provided an honest response to questions over his game-time at the Etihad Stadium following the club’s FA Cup win over Salford City.

After taking an early lead in their FA Cup encounter, Manchester City would have been thinking about replicating their dominant 8-0 display from last year’s competition against Salford City.

But it was far from that simple for Pep Guardiola’s side, and the League Two outfit were the team who looked more dangerous for large periods of the game.

James Trafford, who came into the team for his 11th appearance of the season, made several important stops to keep City in the lead.

Eventually, Marc Guéhi’s 81st-minute goal ensured that City would progress to the fifth-round of the FA Cup but it was not a classic cup tie to remember for the Cityzens.

Trafford, 23, rejoined City in the summer but has become the cup-goalkeeper following the surprise addition of Gianluigi Donnarumma late in the window. He has not played in the Premier League since the Italian arrived at the club.

It is a slightly unfortunate situation Trafford finds himself in, and there have been rumours surrounding his future at the Etihad Stadium.

When asked about getting his game-time in the cup competitions after the win over Salford, Trafford provided an honest response to BBC Sport.

“It was nice, it wasn’t what I expected coming into the season,” the goalkeeper admitted.

“I tried to guard against it. It’s the reality and I have to give it my best shot. It’s the situation I’m in. We train every day but making saves, it’s good fun.”

With City still fighting on four fronts, Trafford will continue to get game-time this season. He has started all of the seven games played in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

But it is clear that he had different expectations when he returned to the club. Still, the goalkeeper has produced solid performances when he has been called upon in the cup competitions.