Quote ="middleman"Keep coming up with 'Utility' being used to describe Stefan , which sounds a a bit understated throw-away even.Multi talented is a closer match . He's an out and out half back with a good kicking game , but he's good under the high ball and usually beats his first marker = full back , and recently proven he's a pretty useful in the centres too. we've watched him over the years through academy football partnering Jordan Turner at Scrum half to the first team. I see Teams like Wigan sign up their young stars on 4-5 year contracts and it worries me that Salford have left Ratchford playing out his last year. People bring up the pre-season signings & stadium build as statements of intent this will mean sod all if we still cannot keep such talent at the club long term. Is it only Salford that would attempt to manage a franchise deciding season with a vacant head coach ? God help us !
I hope to hell a dialog is going on with the key players about the future coaching plans. I can understand us not being told given the circumstances, just hope they know what's going on.'"
Firstly I don't think Salford will have left Ratchford playing out his last year of contract by choice. The club can't hold a gun to his head and force the player to sign a new contract. (Well they could but it would be illegal)
Neither are the club going to make it public if he's turned down an offer or delayed making a decision.
Secondly it isn't the clubs fault Mr McRae is ill, should they replace him now it would cost the club a lot of money and offer fewer options than if they went for a new coach at the end of the season. Also what kind of coach could the club attract at the moment with a franchise in the balance? Would somebody leave another coaching job with this uncertainty? Have you also considered the pending Superleague license and the next choice of coach could be the reasons why Ratchford hasn't signed a new deal yet?
It's expected that SM will not be offered a new deal and I'm sure the club are already doing their homework on who could be available to coach us in 2012.
Neither are the club going to make it public if he's turned down an offer or delayed making a decision. 
