Salford Red Devils welcome Leeds Rhinos to the AJ Bell Stadium this Sunday 17th February, both sides are looking to use this game to help mould or kick start their season and we on the Devil in the Detail think it might be a classic.
All change good and bad?
Leeds Rhinos are not the team they were after losing legends such as Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow and Jamie Peacock. A team in transition some might say but missing out on the top 8 both in 2016 and 2018 but competing in the years in between will certainly puzzle the Leeds faithful.
Leeds have a academy which many clubs will be jealous of with many a talented kid coming of their convaerbelt. But the balance of superstar internationals and talented kids which have been the blue print for many Leeds successes over the years doesn't seem to working out so well for the Rhinos at the moment and this will be a worry for new coach Dave Furner
Since Marwan Koukash relinquished his hold of the club Salford have started to do things differently. With a more community based feel to the club and the right people in the right places it has helped them engage with local amateur sides and schools. This has help provide a bigger profile both in the local and national press and help grow our profile in and around the city.
This activity helped the club to record a impressive home attendance of 3400 against London Broncos.
This shows that there is positive vibes off the field and the wheels are in motion to grow our attendances in 2019.
On the field Ian Watson and Ian Blease have faced challenges to create a competitive squad in 2019, but with 2 wins from 2 games so far it seems they have got the right blend of hard working and quality players to reach a top 8 spot in 2019 and beyond.
Season So far
With the Re-development of Leeds Rhinos Hedingley stadium still in action Leeds are on a 3 game away run, suffering defeat away at both Warrington and Wigan will leave a few Leeds fans a bit narked. In their eyes a game against Salford traditionally would be a banker to win and they will expect this to continue on Sunday.
Salford are proving the pundits wrong so far with a impressive away win against Huddesfield to start the season with and following it up with a solid win at home to London Broncos. The confidence will be high in the Salford camp going into this game.
With Leeds Rhinos in poor form and Salford riding a wave of confidence on and off the field there might be a different outcome to what people expect on Sunday.
Jackson Hastings v Richard Myler
Since Jackson Hastings arrived in England he has been a sensation, Many Salford fans rate him among the very best to wear the shirt and he certainly has made a impression both on and off the field so far for Salford.
His onfield partnership with Rob Lui will be worth its weight in gold for Ian Watsons men both for this game and the season to come.
If Jackson can keep providing the magic for his teammates to exploit in 2019 who knows how far Salford can go.
England international Richie Myler has always been a sensational finisher since his Salford days, always has a eye for a gap and the ability to catch a offload from a rampaging forward he can be a menace to any defence.
With Joel Moon departing Leeds Rhinos and no big name replacement at Standoff there is lots of pressure on Richie Myler to create for Leeds.
The pressure is on both Richie Myler and Leeds Rhinos to perform in 2019.
Jansen Turgut v Brett Ferris
When Jansen Turgut resigned for Salford in 2019 after a brief spell in 2018 many wondered where the big Turkish forward would fit in. However so far this season he has been sensational, with 2 very strong performances he is fast becoming the cornerstone of our pack.
Brett Ferris is a forward with xfactor, a aggressive defender and creative going forward he is Leeds Rhinos main attacking threat in their Forward pack.
Both Forwards have the ability to punch holes in their opposition defences and be aggressive defensively. It will be very interesting who comes out on top in this battle.
Junior Sau v Kalum Watkins
Junior Sau is a fans favourite at Salford and its not hard to see why.
With his aggressive running style resulting in 59 career tries for Salford in 135 games and being defensively solid he is one of the 1st names of Ian Watsons team sheet.
With Ken Sio on his outside and Josh Jones on his inside the Salford left hand side attack and defence will be both hard to stop in attack and break down in defence in 2019.
Kalum Watkins oozes class in his centre role at Leeds Rhinos.
With pace to burn and creative with ball in hand he is one of Leeds Rhinos dangermen.
Leeds have lots of pace and threat to their attack out wide with Watkins and Tom Briscoe. Salfords left hand side defence has a more rough and tumble look to it and will need to be allert if they are to repel Leeds and their Speedy attack.
Last season
A bank Holiday Monday defeat for Salford as two games in 3 days is too much for Ian Watson’s men
This shows that there is positive vibes off the field and the wheels are in motion to grow our attendances in 2019.
On the field Ian Watson and Ian Blease have faced challenges to create a competitive squad in 2019, but with 2 wins from 2 games so far it seems they have got the right blend of hard working and quality players to reach a top 8 spot in 2019 and beyond.
Season So far
With the Re-development of Leeds Rhinos Hedingley stadium still in action Leeds are on a 3 game away run, suffering defeat away at both Warrington and Wigan will leave a few Leeds fans a bit narked. In their eyes a game against Salford traditionally would be a banker to win and they will expect this to continue on Sunday.
Salford are proving the pundits wrong so far with a impressive away win against Huddesfield to start the season with and following it up with a solid win at home to London Broncos. The confidence will be high in the Salford camp going into this game.
With Leeds Rhinos in poor form and Salford riding a wave of confidence on and off the field there might be a different outcome to what people expect on Sunday.
Jackson Hastings v Richard Myler
Since Jackson Hastings arrived in England he has been a sensation, Many Salford fans rate him among the very best to wear the shirt and he certainly has made a impression both on and off the field so far for Salford.
His onfield partnership with Rob Lui will be worth its weight in gold for Ian Watsons men both for this game and the season to come.
If Jackson can keep providing the magic for his teammates to exploit in 2019 who knows how far Salford can go.
England international Richie Myler has always been a sensational finisher since his Salford days, always has a eye for a gap and the ability to catch a offload from a rampaging forward he can be a menace to any defence.
With Joel Moon departing Leeds Rhinos and no big name replacement at Standoff there is lots of pressure on Richie Myler to create for Leeds.
The pressure is on both Richie Myler and Leeds Rhinos to perform in 2019.
Jansen Turgut v Brett Ferris
When Jansen Turgut resigned for Salford in 2019 after a brief spell in 2018 many wondered where the big Turkish forward would fit in. However so far this season he has been sensational, with 2 very strong performances he is fast becoming the cornerstone of our pack.
Brett Ferris is a forward with xfactor, a aggressive defender and creative going forward he is Leeds Rhinos main attacking threat in their Forward pack.
Both Forwards have the ability to punch holes in their opposition defences and be aggressive defensively. It will be very interesting who comes out on top in this battle.
Junior Sau v Kalum Watkins
Junior Sau is a fans favourite at Salford and its not hard to see why.
With his aggressive running style resulting in 59 career tries for Salford in 135 games and being defensively solid he is one of the 1st names of Ian Watsons team sheet.
With Ken Sio on his outside and Josh Jones on his inside the Salford left hand side attack and defence will be both hard to stop in attack and break down in defence in 2019.
Kalum Watkins oozes class in his centre role at Leeds Rhinos.
With pace to burn and creative with ball in hand he is one of Leeds Rhinos dangermen.
Leeds have lots of pace and threat to their attack out wide with Watkins and Tom Briscoe. Salfords left hand side defence has a more rough and tumble look to it and will need to be allert if they are to repel Leeds and their Speedy attack.
Last season
A bank Holiday Monday defeat for Salford as two games in 3 days is too much for Ian Watson’s men
https://bornredlivereddiered.blogspot.com/2018/03/match-report-salford-v-catalan.html
Jackson Hastings lights up the AJ bell and puts Leeds to the sword
https://bornredlivereddiered.blogspot.com/2018/07/salford-v-leeds-match-report.html
Salford suffer defeat at Headingley and the Leeds away hoodoo continues
https://bornredlivereddiered.blogspot.com/2018/09/leeds-v-salford-red-devils-match-report.html
TEAM NEWS
Will appear here when announced.
Pictures by Steve Mccormick
Jackson Hastings lights up the AJ bell and puts Leeds to the sword
https://bornredlivereddiered.blogspot.com/2018/07/salford-v-leeds-match-report.html
Salford suffer defeat at Headingley and the Leeds away hoodoo continues
https://bornredlivereddiered.blogspot.com/2018/09/leeds-v-salford-red-devils-match-report.html
TEAM NEWS
Will appear here when announced.
Pictures by Steve Mccormick
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