Harris starts with a win and possibly more to come.

The Iestyn Harris era at Salford Red Devils started with a bang on friday night with a 38-24 win away at Bradford.

Tries from Jake Mullaney, Tim Smith, Andrew Dixon, Junior Sau, Rangi Chase, Tony Puliatua and Francis Meli saw Salford Home.

I thought that the whole game we didn't look in any danger of losing the game which for Salford playing away anywhere never mind Bradford is a new experience. 
Its a good sign that the Harris coming in is having a positive effect and hopefully more to come.

Crutial period of the season approaching

Looking at the fixture list and the league table the next 5 games will be crutial on how Salfords season will develop.

The easter period is alway tough with the league shield winners last season and Leeds Rhinos away on the Monday Iestyn Harris and his men will need to be on their game and produce two very good performances to pick up the points.
After these two games Salford have a tough trip to Catalan, Hull KR and Widnes in the cup to test themselves.

With Salford back in the 8 and needing more wins to cement their place further up the table I predict a 3/5 wins and being through to the next round of the cup would be minimum requirement with the squad we have.

Devil in the Detail...A family affair

On this weeks show Patrick is joined by his younger brother to discuss what has happened at Bradford, the amateur roundup, preview the easter weekend and the look back at the news stories from the world of Salford Red Devils over the last 7 days.

With nearly 500 plays of last week's podcast our biggest total in one week and our 3rd Highest ever it has become a huge success.
Another success was my commentary on the official Red Devils app with over 900 people listening in against Bradford.

With the Android version of the app due out next week im sure both the podcast  and the people listening to the live commentary including this Friday against Huddersfield will continue to grow.

A Crazy week in the world of Salford Red Devils

Well what a week it has been last Thursday night we went to the KC Stadium in Hull and witnessed one of Salfords greatest Challenge Cup comebacks to reach the 5th Round and lot of Salford Fans were dreaming of a good cup run to hopefully push our season on to greater things.

Looking back at the game we looked dead and buried a couple of times in the game but though pure grit and determination and a willingness not to throw in the towel we got ourselves off the canvass thanks to a last minute try from Francis Meli and a absolute wonderful touchline conversion by Jake Mullaney.

The scenes of pure joy i witnessed from my commentary box while commentating on the Salford Red devils official app of Salford fans jumping around celebrating was something that will live with me forever, it meant so much to the fans to still have a taste of glory in Rugby leagues greatest cup competition  and you could tell that by the celebrations.
 Lets be honest if we were to pick a trophy to win it would be the challenge cup over the super league title every time.

So we made it into extra time and in my opinion held our nerve well, Hull never really put us under any real pressure and we had good field position and kicked very well.
One towering kick by our man Rangi Chase was spilled by a hull defender, from the scrum Salford carmly played position football and allowed Rangi Chase who had been wonderful all night to kick Salford into the next round.

So 5 coaches of Salford Fans went home happy little did they know the drama was only just begining.

Stood at the Crossroads wondering which way to go

So Friday came Salford fans were still day dreaming of events of the previous night when news broke that Dr Koukash had ask Brain Noble to step down as coach of Salford Red Devils and take up a role of Director of Football at the club and his coaching duties would now be undertaken by Iestin Harris.

People say that following Salford is a rollercoaster ride, excitment to the very end with a blend of joy and despair chucked in to keep even the most level headed Salford fan in a constant tail spin, this week has been no different.

There are pros and cons to the decision that the Good Doctor has made regarding our change in our coaching deparment.

me, Patrick and Shirley Bradshaw Forever Reds chairperson will discuss it in detail on this weeks DEVIL IN THE DETAIL podcast out later today.
So tune in and listen to what we think and see if you agree

Wrong numbers in the cup

 Salford made it though to the next round of the cup and our coaching restrucring taking place most Salford fans thought the drama had ended there...they were wrong.
During the challenge cup Draw for the next round Leeds Rhinos Legend and Rugby league pundit Garry Schofield managed to confuse the number 9 ball with the number 6 ball.

Salfords name had already succesfully been pulled out of the hat as the home team but with the error highlighed on social media that the wrong team had been drawn away to the Red Devils.
The team who salford should have been drawn against at home was Bradford but as Widnes Vikings had been called out after a bit of confusion after the draw it was decided that the draw should stand.

Realistically we should be looking to beat both of them teams at home so in my opinion to ask for the draw to be redrawn and run the risk of pulling Leeds or St Helens out was too great.

I suspect if we had been drawn against Wigan and it should have been Bradford i think it would have been a different result.

Back for good

I just want to say sorry i have not blogged much recently, i have been busy co-hosting The Devil in the Detail podcast with Patrick Noone, so far it has been an amazing experience and with now 14 shows in the can its great that it has become a fixture in so many peoples weekly routine.

With over 5000 Listens, nearly 300 followers on twitter (@ditdsrd) and approaching 250 followers on Facebook (Devil in the Detail SRD) so far i would like to thank you for supporting it and listening, me, Patrick, Mark and Paul with continue to make it the best podcast it can be.
 

2014 The year of the Red Devil?

So a wave of optimism has engulfed the terraces of the A J Bell stadium, Dr Marwan Koukash has backed up his early promises of a exciting team packed with international stars to bring success to a success starved club Salford Red Devils.

With local hero Adrian Morley on board as captain, a mix of  English international power and skill provided by Messrs  Rangi Chase and Gareth Hock. The Master tactician Tim Smith pulling the strings and local lad Harrison Hanson returning to his home town club from Wigan Warriors it might just prove to be the exciting season the Doctors has promised.

There is also a unknown quality about players which have been recruited  for the coming season.

Jake Mullaney the young goal kicking Australian fullback may turn a few heads, Lami Tasi a powerful samoan front row forward will provide power and size to a already huge pack and Greg Johnson a flying try scoring winger from Batley must be licking his lips with the amount of opportunities which will come his way.

After the last 2 friendly games and the performances produced its fair to say that the promises of a top 4 to 6 finish might not be too far away if the players are to gel.

I predict that Salford without any major injury crisis will comfortably make the top 8 pushing for a top 6 spot.
In playoff football anything can happen and with the class in Salfords ranks I can see a trip to Wembley may be on the cards.

Is Doctor Marwan Koukash on a one man mission to save Rugby league?

A Doctor is duty bound to save a dying patient,  Dr Marwan Koukash has a doctorate in Electronics not medican but his values remain the same.

This week during Salford pre season launch at the Lowry the good Doctor went on the attack against the RFL and tour apart their handling of the recent league structuring, salary cap issues, giving steve Mcnamara's a new contract and the new television deal.

Listening to him pick the bones of each of these subjects was a master class, he wants the best for the sport and has the ideas, vision and communication skills to relay this to anyone who will listen.

His tactics do rub some opposition fans up the wrong way but ask yourself this is what he is saying right? Behind all the bravado and headline making his points are water tight and should be listened too and respected.

His RFL bashing and Salford red Devils promoting has got the club headlines in the national newspapers which can only be good.

More power to your elbow Marwan keep up the good work.

The Devil is always in the detail

Recently ive had the opportunity to help produce a new podcast radio show called Devil In The detail.

Its a independent fan run podcast where we talk about all things Salford Red Devils and interview players about what is going on in the world of Salford Rugby.

So far the positive comments we have received about the show have blown me away and I would like to thank everyone who has listened in.  Me and the rest of the Devil In The detail team will continue to try our best with your help to produce a show that you will continue to enjoy.

Find us on Twitter @ditdsrd and Facebook Devil in the Detail SRD
A list of our previous shows can be accessed using the link below

http://m.soundcloud.com/devil-in-the-detail-srd/tracks

Hell to heaven in 12 months as Harrison Hanson arrives

1 year ago today I sat in Pendleton church with a lot of salford fans listening to then chairman John Wilkinson deliver the most horrific news that the club I have followed for 20 years man and boy was broken and were about to go out of business unless a buyer could be found.

Fast forward 12 months to the present day and we now stand on the edge of something potentially huge. 

I follow a club that has ambitions, that can attract world class players who hopefully with the investment behind the scenes can take us to the next level and beyond and a owner who so far hasn't put a foot wrong and put his money where his mouth is regarding player recruitment and expanding the game in the city.

I don't think I will get drunk on any success which may or may not come our way in the future and forget where we came from as a club a plucky under dog who sometimes got its day.

It now looks like we might be one of the top dogs, a dog that finally after years of toil, frustration and missing out on the big day might get ita place on the top table.

With the signing of local lad come good Harrison Hanson from wigan and such a long contract covering his peak years must send message to the people of Salford and other clubs in rugby league that Salford Red Devils finally mean business.

Im urging any of you who like sport in the city of Salford and Manchester to back your local team this is our moment I would hate for you to miss out on the greatest show in town.

Thanks for reading ill leave you with this thought IF Salford somehow manage to lift a Challenge cup or super league trophy in the next few years they will surely make a box office film of our journey from Rags to richest surely you would want to be an extra in it??

The story of 2013 and looking forward to 2014

As the succesful Rugby League World Cup brings down the curtain on a long season of Rugby League us Salford Red Devils fans can look back at a very eventful season.

The story so far...

The whole story read back sounds like a roller coaster of a thriller movie.  The dooms day scenario in January, Dr Marwan Koukash arriving saving the club, making headlines both on and off the field from the "wow" comback against Hull KR, beating Huddersfield on good Friday to off field celebrations at the magic weekend when beating Widnes.

There has also been negative points which made headlines from having 14 men on the field v Castleford in the dying minutes causing us to losing the 2 points, Warrington players being hit by a plastic bottles during their celebrations and eventually finishing bottom of the pile in 2013.

Like all good movies the end inspires you to think that the best is yet to come in a sequal with Dr Koukash embracing our history with the " Red Devils" name change, bringing home prodigal son Adrian Morley and also signing current International players for the 2014 season like Rangi Chase and Gaz Hock.

The club should be congratulated on their recent visits to different parts of the city to drum up new support.

This seems to have had a positive effect with record breaking season ticket / merchandise sales both online and in the new club shop during a recent open day held at the stadium.  

The stadium now equipped with a new state of the art gym for the players, a players room where team meetings can be held and a museum where objects from Salfords rich history can be viewed is a massive step forward.

The amazing plans for part of pre season training in the new year to be in South Africa shows how far the club has come in such a small amount of time.

I would like to thank all the players and staff at Salford Red Devils both on and off the field who gave their all in the 2013 season in such trying circumstances. Im sure that the 2014 season will be a totally different and positive experience for you.

The sound of success from a sound cloud

With all the positive stuff going on with Salford Red Devils over the last few weeks I got the opportunity to be involved in a new independent podcast about Salford Red Devils called "Devil in the detail" with Patrick Noone interviewing players and basically chewing the fat about all things Salford.

The link to the show can be seen below feel free to have a listen

https://m.soundcloud.com/devil-in-the-detail-srd/devil-in-the-detail-pilot

It was a very enjoyable experience and with positive feedback from listeners I look forward to further shows in the new year starting in January.

The future is bright, The future is Red

With the off season in full swing old salford would have gone into hibernation a long time ago waking up 2nd week in February.
The new "Super Salford" couldn't be any different when making headlines from Dr Koukash appearing on New Zealands top radio station promoting Salford / dropping hints we might be in with a chance of getting Sonny Bill Williams in a red shirt in the near future.

A possible cross code game against Sale sharks (which deserves a whole seperate blog on the positives and negatives of such a event happening and will get written) and rumours we are on the verge of signing Harrison Hanson son of Salford cult hero Shane Hanson from Wigan.
I have been dreaming for this kind of publicity all my salford supporting life.

Its such a breath of fresh air creating positivity around the club and on the terrace which can only be a good thing.

Happy Christmas and a Red New year

As this will be my last blog for 2013 I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year and thanks for reading.

Friday v Sunday? Big decision for Salford Red Devils

As the 2013 draws to an end fans look forward to exciting times which will arrive at Barton in 2014.

With a host of new signings most of them international class Salford Red Devils will should be more competitive on the field and hopefully thrill the long suffering spectators. The big question is what day of the week will Salford play?

On the terrace fans are divided between Friday night rugby and Sunday rugby, with a recent poll conducted on a unofficial fans page both days only had a couple of percent between them.

Friday night is Rugby night?

There are lots of advantages to Friday night rugby league for Salford,  there is no chance of a clash with Manchester United or city so fans don't have to choose where they spend their cash.
Ask yourself do you have more money on you on a Friday afternoon for the weekend than you do on a Sunday for example. 

I suggest it may be easier to sell the clubs corporate facilities on a Friday to businesses in the area to treat staff or potential clients
.
You also get more match related stories on a Saturday as no football has been played.

Playing on a Friday also means no school for kids on a Saturday so they could potentially sleep in and recover from the night before.

The players themselves may have a few extra days rest in between matches if one week they play Friday and the next Sunday, over the whole season if the fixtures run right could mean they have up to an extra week or more days than most to prepare for the next game.

Sizzling Sunday Rugby

Playing Sunday will allow the club to provide entertainment both before and after the game for the whole family to come down as a unit and enjoy.

We played a lot over the years on a Sunday many lapsed fans may find it easier to come back and support the Red devils on a weekly basis if they played on the same day they use to go.

The away support paticularly from Yorkshire should grow providing more money for the stadium people and the club.

People who enjoy a few beers with friends will probably have extended days out with as there would be no rush to go anywhere.

The good, The bad and the Ugly

Even tho there is positive aspects for both days there is also negatives.

Friday night rugby means late nights for young children so you limit the amount of future fans the club can pick up.

Traffic on a Friday is always heavy and with the rush hour early that day If a big crowd was expected would probably run into the back end of it.

People travelling from further afield both out of towns Reds and away support have travel plans limited due to time and work related issues

Playing Friday doesn't really allow the club to do much fans related exercises as its a rush to get to the ground and too late after.

Sundays will also be effected by traffic,  situated by the Trafford Centre one of the busiest shopping centres in the world our support joining the ques will effect the flow of traffic both entering and exiting the ground and the surrounding area.

The amount of traffic in the area I feel the supporters buses from Trafford Centre and eccles currently running at 1 every hour can see that going as the traffic will be too heavy on a Sunday.

Traffic may effect any away support as standing traffic heading to the Trafford Centre will certainly effect the amount of time it will take fans to get to the ground from the motorway as all the customers going shopping have to pass the Salford junction.

Also kickoff time will come into play when sale play on a Sunday its midday kickoff to avoid traffic would the supporters of Sunday like a midday kickoff?  Ill stick my neck out and say no salford fans would want that.

Sundays will also be effected by football lets say United or City were playing at 4pm against a title rival or against each other will our part time / fair weather / new fans drag themselves away from the pub and miss the game if Salford were against an average team like Wakefield I fear they wouldn't.

Decision time

Its a massive decision for Dr Marwan Koukash to make but in my own opinion Friday night rugby is the only way to go, you don't have other distractions which may effect attendance of people who will watch Salford "sometimes".

Whatever the Dr decides ill be there Friday or Sunday but ive already been converted its the potential fans he needs to 2nd guess
 

A thank you and the Red Revolution has started today

Well the day has finally arrived, today is the day us Salford fans get to know what Dr Marwan Koukash has planned for our great club.

It is only 10 months since one of its darkest days in Pendleton church when then chairman John Wilkinson delivered the heart breaking news to a couple of hundred Salford fans that the end was nigh. Without serious investment because of horrendous debts the club was finished.

Since that moment the fans dug in came together and showed unbelievable heart and will to show that Salford Rugby League club meant so much to so many.

Even tho people sweated blood, organising events, emptied savings accounts or just gave what they could it would all have been invain but for one man.

Today I would like to use my blog to thank Dr Marwan Koukash.
Not only for taking a chance on my Salford saving it from falling into an oblivion I would also like to thank him for putting the feel good factor back into supporting the club I have followed through thick, thin, and wafer.

Feel good factor

Since the good Dr took over he has been outstanding media and promotion wise.
All news stories were positive we made heads turn, spin and then fall off with rumoured bids and offers for players from all over the world.

People both inside the game and out have had to stand up and take notice about our plans somthing at Salford before the good Dr were unable or unwilling to do.

He promised star players, he said next season will be different and he would do everything in his power to turn the club round and without spoiling his surprises it seems he has delivered it with bells on.

The man himself is always approachable often seen on the terrace mingling with fans. It takes a special man to walk and talk with kings and paupers and treat them both the same and it looks to me the good Dr is that man.

With season tickets for the 2014 season and offers for the world cup also announced today many Reds who arnt already on cloud 9 will be with good noises being made about next seasons shirts arriving in time for Christmas

With all our rumoured signs to be confirmed soon we will have a idea what kind of force we might be next season.
Its far too early for bold predictions about what salford will do but to play safe ive booked off the challenge cup final weekend just in case ;-)

Red Devils returning

I would also like to thank the good Dr for embracing our history and adding the Red Devils to our name.

As Salford are the original Red Devils because of our exploits in france beating every opponent on the tour in 1934.

This happened years before Manchester United adopted it and Salford announcing their name change basically reclaiming it was a massive plus and was applauded from the roof tops.

"Sons and fathers sing this story....of the Salfords march to glory"

Well what a crazy season we have had both on and off the field, will be remembered for the most devastating lows in preseason to today which can only be described as massive and positive for the future.

Lets all move on together both club and fans and embark on this once in a life time adventure from where we are now to the very top of rugby league.

I don't think it will be easy there will be lots of swings and roundabouts on the way but lets enjoy the journey.