Lets have some predictions then. Where can we expect to finish? Last year was an eye opener for a lot of us optimists. This coming year our older players are aren't getting younger and they might be a bit slower than last year and Kevin Locke hasnt really lived up to expectations. However we have a better squad now though and more time to gel together so i'm optimistic (again!)



Top 8 doesn't matter as much next year with the new restructure but I still think it has to be our aim. Our main aim has to be avoiding the bottom 4. This could be disastrous for us if we're playing Championship level clubs as our attendances will plummet and it wont be appealing to some of our stay-away fans.

I'm going to say we'll finish 6th.

For what its worth I think Wigan will win the Grand Final and Wakefield, Widnes, Castleford and Hull KR will finish in the bottom four.


So whats everyone elses predictions?

What's the difference between finishing top 8 and avoiding the bottom 4? Have I missed a new restructure?!

6-8th place I'd guess at, I'm stubbornly optimistic though. If we can pick up where we left last season then we'll do well, need to start performing against the big teams though!

Hopefully we'll start the season off well, if we don't Harris may well be making an early exit and we'll be back to square one.

I cant be bothered turning this onto a debate on the restructure but what I meant was that finishing in the top 8 wont give us any play off oppurtunities guaranteed. Perhaps I worded it wrong, bottom four needs to be avoided though.

And i agree, most fans have never warmed to Harris so if we have a few consecutive losses the fans will be on his back.

Avoiding bottom four and getting in top 8 are the exact same thing, that's all my point was.

I personally think Harris has done a good job though a lot of fans don't think the same as you say. Still, its more our owner that worries me than our fans, he isn't the most patient of men.

I think wigan saints and warrington will finish top 3, then it's anybodies guess.
I'm going for us to finish 5th.

Didn't we learn ?
I'm not rising the ire of the gods of RL , temptin' fate .

3 months yet to go and most other ' teir 1' teams still have space to build on their squads for next season .
As to tipping other sides Hull KR Look to have gone on a Koukash style shopping spree:-
Josh Mantelatto
Ken Sio
Darryl Goulding
Maurice Blair
Albert Kelly
Keiran Dixon
Tyrone NcCarthy
James Donaldson
and more promised
Whether they do a Cas Or replicate their rivals 2014?

I think that Albert Kelly is the best import for next season, if KR can keep him interested along with Locke and Carney we have 3 immense players too look forward too watching.

I doubt that anyone will break the monopoly of Saints, Warrington or Wigan but doubt very much if Leeds again will be the force they have been this season.

Being in the top halve of the lets split the atom over complicated draw and a good cup run will do me.

Like I said, Top 8 has to be our aim. NOT because its important to get into the top 4 playoffs but just to avoid the tedious nature of playing championship clubs if we finish in the bottom 4. I actually think Catalan will improve a lot but I can see us finishing above Huddersfileld and surprising a few other fans.

There are 3 teams in the Championship next season who are full time and if you think a current Superleague club who finishes in next seasons bottom 4 will be having tedious games against Championship clubs is just that' then you are deluded.

Oh well then! In that case lets hope all of our part-time fans share your enthusiasm for playing Championship clubs and lets spend all of next season purposely trying to finish in the bottom four

Sorry mate but your reasoning is baffling.

Back to talking about rugby, but does anyone else think we've gambled on inexperienced pros? I like the idea of a young hungry team, but I feel they need more experience around them. It's great having the likes if Morley, puletua and griffin to guide them, but given their age, will they be able to produce the quality of performance required next year?

Nah. We've got a New Zealand international full-back, an England international stand-off who has played nearly 200 games, an international captain, Grand Final and Challenge Cup winner in one second row position, a New Zealand Maori international in the other, a Grand Final and World Club Challenge winner on the wing, a scrum-half with over 200 games under his belt.... I don't think it's a lack of experience that will hold us back next year.

When you put it like that there is always the chance of too many cooks.

I hope HH has the strength of character too be the on field leader and talisman, I'd have the young backs under the leadership of Sa'u, he was pretty inspirational last season.

I don't know why but I have nagging doubts again about the Dobson/Chase combination, if nothing else but a hunch I'd say we'll end up come the end of next season with Dobson/Fages as the halves and Chase playing #9.

I'm looking forward to next season. Last year Harris was our best signing and I trust his and Watto's judgement. Still think we need a hooker and a class centre but it seems our recruitment is over. Wise business by marwan getting locke in early and give him time to adjust. Think we've strengthen all over the park and keeping Hock is a big plus. Think with a good pre season think we will make top 6. Happy we've done our business early and it seems astute(although not excited about this young Aussie prop). Bring on 2015, just need marwan to rally the fans like last time. Feel we could hold onto them next year!

well looking at the best salford 17 thread,I've got to say its looking pretty strong.Im looking forward to see how Forster, Groat & Hood do as their previous clubs think they are brilliant players. if we start well then i can see us being in the top 5 but overall i think maybe 6th-7th place

Was about to say you missed my point, but realised auto correct had changed props to pros. So are our props too inexperienced?

I think there was more 'experience' throughout the team last season, yet they played like headless chickens sometimes. I don't think it'll be a case of 'too many cooks' this coming season so long as they realise that Michael Dobson is Michel Roux jr.

I don't think so. Morley, Puletua and Griffin will all still be there, and there's plenty of experience in the rest of the team. I also think we tend to put too much emphasis on 'experience' sometimes. It was Nobby's downfall to some extent. I'd prefer to see a younger team that grows and develops together rather than a team that is chopping and changing every year as those experienced players retire.

Having said that, Marwan was on Twitter a couple of weeks ago pondering about making one more signing, preferably a prop. A player (I think it was Garreth Carvell, but wouldn't swear to it) suggested looking in the lower divisions.

The lower leagues or making use of the cap exemption if you bring in a player from RU, I remember how good David Young was.

Experienced or Good?
No unless Harris can bring in an experienced prop of a proven quality there's no point.

in 2013 we sent one of our NRL forward signings home as the forwards rising from our own Academy were out performing him.

In 2014 we let two of NRL forward signings go home mid season. as I guess we needed the non fed quota space to bring in talent in more key positions - and they were ' dispensable ' .

In 2013 Adam Walne was Salfords best forward as regards metres per carry , he had an injury hit season in 2014 , so having him back fit for 2015 will be like a new signing , then we have Tasi, Griffin , Puletua, then the new signings :- Groat , Menzies & Forster.
Harris can also call on Hock & Jordan Walne to do a shift at prop , and then there's Morley.
so I count 10
just who is out there to call on anyway ?

Totally agree, we have more than enough cover right across the pack with the possible exception of hooker it is the backs where we seem too be missing one or two players. Evalds can cover on the flanks and at full back and then there is Griffin/MCB seemingly both looking for the same starting spot but after that there is very little cover and I think Walton is wasted when played in the centre.

Locke,
BJB,
Sa'u,
MCB,
Johnson,
Griffin,
Walton,
Ford?

That list seems very low on numbers.

Need to get buying ST's. The Dr isn't happy :- www.totalrl.com/koukash-disappoi ... ket-sales/

Need to get buying ST's. The Dr isn't happy :- www.totalrl.com/koukash-disappoi ... ket-sales/

When will he learn, Salford will not attract many more season ticket holders until they have a decent season. You can have all the names you want, but it means nothing if the team don't perform and are on the end of too many hammerings.

He should keep his mouth shut and put all his energy into ensuring the team get off to a flying start and finish in the top 8. The season ticket sales will soon follow.

I haven't bought mine yet. I wouldn't be too worried about it until January.