David Burke in the Sunday Mirror,has us down for the wooden spoon,does anybody agree.

It's not just the mirror that does, the independent, the guardian, the people. The highest I've seen us is 13th in any predictions.

Hand on Heart I would put us 14th
I suppose it depends who our new signings are and how quickly everyone gells as a team
And possible further new players as the season goes on

We have nothing to lose do we as everyone has us down as bottom of the table. Lets see who comes in? In my opinion we need 6 new players better than the ones that left I know in total it was about 9/10' who left altogether but in those were the likes of Luke towers phil veivers son luke adamson who were average at best so 6 good players may make the difference, all I know is GMRs Jack deardon said on twitter if what I've been told comes off at Salford they'll definately make the 8 this year so obviously he's heard something bloody exciting?

Even if signed a team of superstars, it's going to take weeks, if not months for the team to gel. That said, the optimistic side of my personality believes anything can happen. The feel good factor, a realisation that the players need to concentrate that much harder and the fact Wigan haven't had the best pre-season, could swing the game in our favour. It's been a long time since Salford pulled off a truly great performance. I seem to recall a cup game in '96, and who was the opposition that day?

Jack Deardon must have heard of some serious quality coming in to beef up the Salford ranks. Mauro and fissiahi look look like they will be good additions to the squad, but I wouldn't say those two alone would catapult us into the top 8.

Has anybody heard of anymore, rumoured, signings? That's excluding, the two above, Foran (jnr) and ferguson. Two more props, a half back and another centre are essential.

One thing in out favour is that when we were at our best last year we played off the cuff rugby, for me SL becomes a very valuable asset when we start to bring in more talented players. One thing I can't wait to see is how good Theo looks in a better quality side.

If I were a gambler I'd bet that either Williams of Broughton gets over the 20 try mark and possibly even the Fish if the rumours are true.

Enquiry made to take lance hohaia on a season long loan

ryan mcgoldrick

(but that was in the Sun!)

I'd heard the McGoldrick story, and though initially thinking it was a bad move, but if we're relying on Gibson in the centres, then signing McGoldrick on a one year deal, probably isn't such a bad move.


Hohaia is new one to me, and even though he hasn't had the best time Saints, so far, teaming him up with longy could bring the best out in him.

What does everybody else think?

Chase ?

Not overly enthused by McGoldrick or Hohaia. The trouble for us is the lack of choice available at such a late stage, at least from those players already in SL. I wouldn't knock too much though as we are hardly in a position, with regards to numbers, to pick and choose. We need to make the pool of players for the coming season much larger and some of those positions will be filled with cover players so in that respect the more the merrier.

There isn't a team in SL that a motivated Chase wouldn't improve, but it's the issue of a work permit. Would leaving him on his current Castleford contract and taking him on loan be a solution.



Herein lies the problem now facing the club, while neither McGoldrick or Hohaia would be anyone's first choice, we're not in a position to be picky. As regards Hohaia, there must be a reason why he is continually selected for NZ, plus he brings masses of big game experience, and every game this season needs to be treated like a cup final. Then you look at how thread bare we are in the centres, and we probably need McGoldrick, provided he doesn't get more than a one year deal.

Not that I've seen much of him playing for Saints but I always thought Hohaia was overrated in the halves but showed up really well as a tenacious fullback. I can only assume that with Wellens at the club, Lance has been used at 6 or 7.

Signing experienced players on season long loans or one year contracts is what we need to do in this situation. Players with NRL and international careers will assist our younger guys. We need to plug the gaps for 2013 and start to plan for 2014.

As for predictions, if we dont get the takeover sorted we are very short odds to finish last, thats if we have the resources to complete the season.

Hohaia has found himself as a square peg in a round hole at Saints, we'd need a creative 7 to get the best of him at 6, but it's possible he could be effective in the halves. With patten gone it might be worth putting Howarth to 13 as the extra pivot and moving Hohaia slightly wider

That front row is still a massive problem though.

I remember the Rumour was Liam Foran Snr ( 25) , if we took Foran Jnr ( 22) we'd be depriving Manly of their 1st choice half back .
The prediction of 14th is fair considering the pre season we've had. anything higher than 14th should be seen as progression.
66/1 for Wembley 1500/1 to Win the GF anyone ?



No surprise the majority of links to Salford feature NZ players ..
I'd be more than pleased if we did secure Hohaia.
He's a world cup winner with bags of experience in the Full back role , He has been tried in various different positions without really settling down at Saints with Wellens at Full Back & Roby at Hooker etc. Lomas is secure at 7 & they've just given Gaskill a long contract.

McGoldrick? no surprise with Godwin here, same reason with Long as Assistant Gleeson is a Salford Player. McGoldrick will probably be used in the utlity player role Vinnie Anderson had last season.

Any team that finishes below us this year must be pretty, pretty poor.

7/1 to top the table with a 30 point start.

I got that at 8/1

. To make top 8 at 9/1 and to get most points between us, wakey, cas and widnes at 13/2.

All worth a punt at those odds and if things do take off this week as we are all dreaming then all very achieveable.


Always the optomist!

Which Bookie Iain please?

That was Skybet on Saturday.

10/1 at betfred 26 points start. When you put that bet on you've got to consider all the other teams have a handicap aswell. That's right isn't it?

Never got why Saints signed Hohaia in the first place, always thought he was massively overrated. Saying that, I think he'd be a decent signing for us though.

Thanks

All the other sides have had settled pre-season for 3 months. You will win some games but it takes time to build a side. A run in the CC perhaps?