Class of 2016 part 2

The powerful forward will be looking to make a huge impact in his 1st season at Salford, A strong runner and tough tackler in the NRL will he be one to watch in the Salford pack in 2016? 

A young athletic forward who always works hard with good go forward and defensive skills, we are looking forward to seeing him continue his development with a even better season in 2016? 

A solid performer in 2015 with good defensive skills  and a threat with the ball in his hand. 2016 is a opportunity to continue to show he provides both xfactor and hard graft in this Salford pack 

Captain Tommy Lee will be looking inspire his troops to a top 8 finish in 2016, a player who will always give 100% on the field, a hooker who will create and also do the hard work around the ruck area. Will lead from the front and be the heart beat of the team in 2016.

Salfords onfield organiser with a full preseason behind him will be a key player in 2016, with his tactical awareness, kicking game and experience in the big games he will be a valuable assit for Salford this season

The new prop forward will bring size, power and a never say die attitude to the Salford pack, as Captain of Wales RL his experience at international level and in super league will become more valuable as the season goes on.

The Class of 2016 part 1

The classy standoff has been reunited with Tim Sheens after originally playing under him in 2010 for West Tigers, A creative player who scores all kinds of tries will Robert give Salford a cutting edge in 2016?

A fans favourite for his powerful bursting runs, Salford fans are looking forward to another season of aggressive defence and top quality centre play. Can Junior reproduce the form that won him podcast player of the year in 2014?

The Salford wing man is a top finisher, scoring tries though electric pace and bruit strength he can cause problems for any opposition both from distance and close to the line. With improved service this year can he be Salfords top try scorer?

A powerful centre who is a brilliant goal kicker was one of Salfords most improved players in 2015, a hard worker both in attack and defence will Josh be Salfords top points scorer in 2016?

Salfords #NO1 fullback will be looking to build on last years heroics.With pace to burn and safe under the high ball he will be a player to watch in 2016. Another strong season this year will Niall be knocking on the door for international recognition?

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A new loan signing for Salford "The tank on the flank" will be looking to reproduce the performances that made him one of the most feared wingers in Super league. With pace, power and a aggressive running style can Justin take Salford to the next level in 2016?

A look forward to 2016

The start of the 2016 season is not far away and its an important season both on and off the field for Salford Red Devils.
As fans of this great club we have seen a few false dawns come along over the years but it seems Tim Sheens, Ian Watson and Marwan Koukash have got their heads together  and created a squad with a mix of youth, experience, quality and graft which will hopefully break Salfords top 8 voodo.

Graft over craft

As a fan all we ask the players who are lucky enough pull on the red shirt to do is give 100%. To look in the mirror the morning after a game and think they had nothing more to give.  The squad of 2016 i feel will not disappoint in this area.
Certain flair players and big time charlies have departed and been replaced with players with work ethics and a hunger to succeed.
In certain games in the last few seasons we have been out "enthused" and out "fought" or even "out thought"  which resulted in narrow season shaping losses.
With the promise of a super fit team both physical and mentally after a tough pre season the class of 2016 should have enough "juice in the tank" to come out on top against teams who will be competing for a top 8 spot.

All you need is Lui

Rangi Chase left the club and fans like myself wondered who would be the next Merlyn in Salfords Castle and after watching  Robert Lui at Rochdale he has one hand on the cape.
Its still very early in the season but he oozed class every time he touched the ball at Rochdale, his decision making and kicking game was measured and the important thing was it didn't look forced .

Im not a fan of Australian Rugby so I had no prior notice of how good this guy was (apart from a couple of you tube videos ) but providing he stays fit in our Super fit team he could be the Andrew Dunnerman of 2016.

Growing on and off the field

Attracting new fans is always a tough battle off the field for the club, based in a football dominant area surrounded by two of the most successful football clubs its so important Salford are seen to be successful to try and attract new fans.
Trying to branch out the Red Devil "brand" to people of Manchester and surrounding areas will succeed if we as a club are seen to  win more than we lose over a sustained period of time.
The club are in local schools and amateur clubs promoting the club as well which is so important, doing the ground work will pay off in the long run as long as the success comes.

I really hope this season, 2016 is the year the blue touch paper is lit and Salford start to achieve a top 8 finish with a decent cup run on a regular basis and grow into a club that it should be both on and off the field.

Salford Red Devils rollercoaster

The start of the season is always a nervous time for me, I spend my time looking at the fixtures list trying to predict how many points Salford will get this season.

This seasons attempt for a  top 8 will be full of ups and downs, there will be games we expect to win but fail to do so as well as snatching victory from the jaws of defeat at others but as a Salford fan I wouldn't want it any other way.

Id hate to follow a team that just turns up and wins where is the fun in that?, supporting a team though thick and thin and experiencing a whole range of emotions during the journey is what keeps people coming back.

Time to strap yourself into the Salford rollercoaster next stop...success?

HULL KR 46 SALFORD 22

Salford got the perfect start as Greg Johnson some how squeezed over in what seemed an impossible situation in the corner! Tommy Lee missed the conversion 0-4.

There was confusion at the back for Salford from Dane Chisholms high kick as Salford knocked on. A penalty soon followed for off side and Chris Welham scored on his farewell apperance for Rovers to tie the scores at 4-4.

Hull kr hit the front 3 minutes later as George Lawlor went over from another good kick from Chisholm. Mantellato added the extras  10-4.
Chris Welham spilled the ball from the kick off and Salford took full advantage as Harrison Hansen scooted over, Ben Jones Bishop converted 10-10.

It was a great spell in the game from Salford and another try soon followed when Lama Tasi crashed over off Adrian Morleys off load! Jones Bishop goaled 10-16.

A lovely offload from the ever busy Logan Tomkins sent young Ryan Lannon over! the academey captain worked hard and didnt look out of place in the first team. Jones Bishop again goaled to give salford a 10-22 lead at half time.
There were four of salford academy players in the side in Ryan Lannon, Jake Bibby, Luke Menzies and Josh Wood.
Salford started brightly in the second half as Gregg Jonson cut loose outwide only to spill the ball.

Rovers then seized there chance and Josh Mantellato scored in what was the turning point of the game. there was a complete momentum change and ten minutes into the second half rovers were level when Ken Sio scored 22-22.

After that there were very few highlights for Salford as Rovers scored another four tries without reply from Chisholm, Mccarthy, Cockayne and Blair to complete a 36-0 second half turn around.

It was a disappointing afternoon for the travelling Salford supporters who were there in numbers again.
There was a nice proud moment at full time for Adrian Morley as both teams formed a guard of honour as he retired from rugby league after a fantastic carreer!
final score Hull kr 46 Salford 22

Widnes 10 Salford 24

Salford ripped into Widnes from the kick off. niall evalds made a great break and found Junior Sau who fed Josh Griffin for the first try after just two minutes. All this before Widnes had touched the ball.
dobson missed the conversion but added a penalty shortly after 0-6.

Salford looked so much better in defence today but the line was breached when Patrick Ah Van scored in the 13th minute, conversion missed 4-6.

Matt Whitley had a try ruled out after some nice work from from danger man Ah Van who is always a hand full.
Scott Taylor charged over after Logan Tomkins was held up short following Lloyd Whites error at the scrum, 4-12.

A penalty conceded for a proffesional foul on Tomkins and Tommy Lee sent Cory Paterson under the posts with a lovely pass on 27mins 4-18.
Salford were now in complete control. Widnes lost Clarkson and Dean to injury and great pressure from Salford was causing the home side to make errors! Liam Hood was sin binned for a high tackle on Kevin Brown 3minutes before the break but salford went in 4-18 at half time.
salford made the perfect start to the second half as Junior Sau roared over just 3minutes in 4-24.
It was then great defence from Josh Griffin to keep ah van from scoring and widnes just couldnt find away through salfords solid defence.
Harrison Hansen was sin binned after 58minutes for a tackle on Hanbury, Widnes took advantage as Brown sent Lloyd White over 10-24.
Lama Tasi then scorched through and seemed unstoppable only to lose the ball over the line.
Kevin Brown and Josh Griffin were both sent off late on for fighting but Salford were not going to be denied today!

They out fought widnes in every department and thouroughly deserved the victory.
The defence at times was outstanding and with 4 well worked tries!

Michael Dobson organised and ran the show for salford and was brilliant today.
the travelling supporters from Salford were loud and proud all afternoon and went home happy!
Same again next sunday at Hull kr as we look to finish the season on a good run!

Widnes 21 Salford 20

After a tight start with both sides trading early sets off six in attacking territory Salford forced a repeat set. A lovely kick through from chase was pounced on by Niall evalds to out Salford 6-0 up. A high kick was caught in goal and a quick tap re start so Widnes move down the pitch. I high tackle was penalised and shortly after another penalty followed and Salford couldn't withstand the pressure as Chris clarkson went over ten yard from the line from a nice short pass. 6-6
Widnes let the kick re start go out into touch so Salford were back on the front foot. Another great kick from chase and evalds was impeded by the Widnes defence. A penalty followed and Cory Paterson forced his way over in what seemed an impossible situation. 6-12.
Chase put another brilliant kick in which turned out to be a forty twenty but Salford failed to capitalise from the next play. Just before the break a wicked kick across the in goal almost got Widnes level but Salford went in 6-12 at half time.
So good work in defence from Junior Sau causes Widnes to spill the ball and from the next set Salford are awarded a penalty for a high shot. Griffin kicks the goal and Salford extend there lead 6-14.
Poor discipline costs Salford again with Widnes being rather fortunate with two penalties and weak defence close to the line as Widnes crash over with Paddy Flynn. 10-14
Nice work out wide from chase and few kick play the balls put Salford on the front foot and Scott Taylor is in from close range griffin kicks the goal and Salford are in complete control 10-20.
A charge down from Patterson follows but Salford then knock on letting Widnes off the hook. It's another Widnes penalty that follows and there in again from close range with stefan marsh. 16-20
Salford really turn up the heat in defence and ah van spills the ball in his own half after great pressure from Jordan Walne. Salford fail to add any points and are harshly penalised when it looks like a loose carry. A good dummy out wide is taken an heremaia races over the kick is missed wide out but the scores are level 20-20.
Both teams trade sets as the game goes end to end looking for a one pointer. Scott Taylor is adjudged to lose the ball when it looked like a Salford penalty. Widnes work the ball towards the post and with moments remaining Danny Craven keeps a cool head to slot a drop goal over and give Widnes a 21-20 lead.
Salford try to get the ball back from the kick off but fail and Widnes see the final few moments out.
Plenty of effort today from Salford and it's hard to take the defeat but that sees us finish 11th going into the middle eights.

Leeds Rhinos 70 Salford Red Devils 6

After a couple of early sets close to the Leeds line the rhinos took the first points after danny McGuire twisted his way over 6-0. After conceding early penalties Adam cuthbertson crashed over from a nice short ball from Paul aiton 12-0.
Adrian Morley was then sin binned for a high tackle on rob burrow.
Further penalties followed and Jimmy kienhorst put Watkins over in the corner then a nice kick from McGuire and brett Delaney pounced to put Leeds 24-0.
Salfords kick off then went out on the full and hardacker raced over after a big over lap and Leeds were rampant at 30-0.
Ryan hall then scored followed by a disallowed effort from former Salford centre Joel moon. Moon did go over minutes later and the teams went in for half time with the score at 40-0.
Ben Jones bishop was denied a try after a poor pass from junior sau went forward. Seconds later ash handley raced from his own half and sent Zak hardacker in for his second 46-0. Niall evalds then put salford on the scoreboard with a nice try under the posts from a grubber kick and cory Paterson kicked the goal 46-6. That's as good as it got for Salford though as tries from hall,kienhorst, Walters and two from Ablett made it 70-6 at the full time hooter and yet another dark day at headingly for the loyal Salford faithful behind the posts.