.... if the season is to pan out as well as we all hope?

Plenty of new faces of course, which always needs some time, but a couple of positive results early doors - maybe starting on Sunday - and I can see us making at least that 8th spot. However, I do think we need the start to gain confidence & get a winning mentality at the club - something which obviously hasn't been abundant for some time... losing 2 or 3 early doors & I think it could be another struggle...

I don't think a 'flying start' is either likely or a true guide to the coming season. (Apart from the first game against Crusaders). I just want to see us competitive in all fixtures and ENTERTAINING! I do expect us to finish in the play-off's, and I see any other result as a failure given the investment we've made. A good cup run would be nice!

I love the idea of us being everything Rooted Red hopes for, but my expectations are rooted firmly in reality.

I think a good season for us will be improving our home form and see this as a crucial area. Beating the Clubs around us should also be an indicator of how we are progressing. Not reaching the play-offs for me would not necessarily mean a bad season, it depends on how the league evolves over the season.

Agree with Butcher here, & this is kind of the point I was making - don't see the play-offs as that important. But think we have a chance if we start well & get confidence of making them. If we don't however, can see frustration in the crowd reaching the players & the usual nonsense starting.... Takes time & results to build the winning mentality

Win Win Win from the off, Ist minute of the 1st game. No letting the opposition batter us in the 1st 10 mins of each game as per last season. If you want to compete at the top level it's all out for 80 mins from the word go..... So as far as I can see, it's or bust from the first whistle ......... as it should be

Getting off to a flyer or holding our own and entertaining? The backs look like they could be very dangerous this year, but once again it's whether or not the forwards can make it happen. If the forwards are competitive I expect a big transformation in our fortunes this year. It could very much be a case of all or nothing!!!

Despite strengthening the squad most of the bookies have us down for an 11th place finish. My hope is that with it being the last year at the Willows the players will dig deep and find something extra to make it a great year for the club. To make the play-offs it not impossible but we would need the rub of the green.

[iNO MORE CATCH UP RUGBY

The Reds need start off on fire I fully expect a win down in South Wales and I can see no reason why we can't beat St Helens in our first home game.

COME ON YOU REDS....


[/i

We easily have the potential for top 8. Most of the players we have signed have come from top 8 teams or have at least been in the playoffs in the past few seasons. My only worry is that under McRae we will play the same old boring rugby. If we play to our potential, like Saints at home, then we will definately make the playoffs.

I was watching one of the tries from the Saints game last year, we moved the ball really well and used the decoy runners. Rather than just our usual one up rugby. When the backs have got the ball in hand, we really need Patten joining the line and causing doubt in the oppositions defensive play. Time to stand up and deliver Mr McRae, this is his squad, so he has no excuses left now!!

We've got players in the team now that could easily be playing for a top 5/6 place team. I wouldn't be worrying about the bookies too much they're obviously basing their odds on what has happened over the last couple of years.

McRae Out!





Just thought I'd pre-empt the chorus of disapproval if we have a crap start..



New coaching set-up
Nearly a new team

The bookies are rarely too far off the mark. Make no mistake they will know everything about our recruitment and every other clubs. The past will be irrelvant to them as proven by their high expectations of the Catalan Dragons this year.

I personally feel people are getting a bit to excited, yes it is nice to have a good vibe around the club for once,but for me if we loose against Crusaders first game, then with the tough fixtures after that I think the vibe will quickly change and the people who are expecting miracles to happen will be disappointed and begin to turn on the players as in previous seasons.

That's not to say I don't think we cant finish in the top 8 if we stay clear of injuries and have a bit of luck then I think the 8th spot would be a realistic target, im just not getting over confident as some people are saying we WILL defiantly finish in the top 8.

I think a massive blow to our play off hopes would be if Big Ray got injured, I really rate this guy and there is isn't another forward like him on the team. Jewitt is vastly over rated in my opinion he doesn't make enough yards for a team with top 8 ambitions, every season seems to be a "Big Season" with Jewitt but he needs to improve. I know forwards probably don't peek till there a bit older but he needs to start making more yardage.

I Cant wait for the season to start and hope to God we can watch a decent competitive team and hope as fans feel we can come out of any game with a win, instead of having the usual as long as we don't get beat by 30 ill be happy routine. Massive season for us and its about time Salford turn a corner and get the Willows back the Old days for one last season.

All in all I think we will finish 9th/8th just depends on circumstances, don't think we will be anywhere near 5th as some people are suggesting, but hey feel free to prove me wrong Salford.

Roll on the 13th.

[ that s it put a dampner on the season before it starts who needs speckys like you

Ok we are going to win the league by 10 points that better?

I'd rather expect less and get more than expect more and get less. Try saying than when your

I think we've got quite a tricky first few weeks:-

Salford City Reds v Crusaders RL
Salford City Reds v St Helens
Wakefield Wildcats v Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds v Wigan Warriors
Leeds Rhinos v Salford City Reds

Saints, Wigan and Leeds - have to put them down as losses on the coupon. Crusaders? Could and should win that one. Wakefield? Down as an away win.

So, I reckon 4 points from 10 after 5 rounds: not really "off to a flyer", but realistic and nicely warmed up for HKR, Calans, Cas, Hudds, etc.

Loving the optimism on here, but seeing the game vs Saints as a home banker may be stretching it a bit I reckon!!! It's a very competitive league - Wakey look weak, & Crusaders will do well to match last years effort, but who else is a pushover? As I said the winning mentality can't just be turned on - but as mentioned, if Holdsworth, Patten & the props stay fit, we should give anyone a run. No more 20 minute game over scenarios, ta v much. 10th or 7th, that'd do for me - improvement.

I agree, the bookies will know all about the recruitment drive. However, as things stand there appears to be very lttle between the mid-table teams and due to our poor performances since returning to super league it's quite feasible we're not being taken seriously. I remember watching Boots'n'all in 2008 and hardly anyone was tipping Salford to take the title, even though we had only just come down from Super League.

As for their high expectations of Catalan Dragons, they've made the play-offs more recently and performed far better in the cup in the Cup than Salford.

I'm not getting carried away, but if all the parts of this team fit together, then Salford City Reds could be in for one heck of a season. On the other hand, if McRae does his usual job of failing to coach the team then it could be more of the same.

Cautious Optimism.

i think this season will be one of our best for years , a top six finish and trying to the final whistle ,something we have lacked in the past , if we get on a roll who knows what might happen , i would be grateful for a great cup run with us possibly making the final , god us fans deserve some success

I`d be more than happy with 2 wins out of the first 3 games, we really do need to turn Crusaders and Wakefield over to show some intent of not being taken for granted,
As for the Saints game ,we seem to have the upper hand over the last couple seasons at the Willows.Can the Reds do it again ?

Don't underestimate Crusaders,I saw them play Catalans last weekend,they won in a canter. Sammut(?) was outstanding. Good pack.strong all round,and appaear to be responding to Harris as coach

Not underestimating Crusaders or anyoone else.If Salford are to get anywhere near a play off spot, we have to defeat the teams who finished in the lower half of the table last season on a regular basis.
Deafeating Crusaders would be a great start to the season for us.

Already we are seeing calls for the coaches head & hysterical negativity (see v HKR thread). Mainly, of course, from people who didn't see the game. Ill discipline isn't down to the coach, neither is a pedantic referee. I'm as hopeful as anyone for an improvement this season, but [ieveryone[/i needs to be on board - the winning mentality mentioned before. Some on here seem to think the Saints game is a shoe-in somehow - WTF??!!! Sunday was a poor effort from minute one... but we can do better, even without Ray, who deserves to be fined.