On here not twitter. Think it was your old username.

Agreed. Has there ever been a more important opening day fixture for Salford?

I thought I read somewhere last week it was Wednesday they were due to arrive? but you are correct... according to the Trinity club website they arrived today and Lee Smith released to Union….Whether the new players will be fresh and acclimatised to the chill of Barton remains to be seen?.. … got a feeling Tim Smith could work some magic Sunday against his old club …We did well at Warrington particularly the second half and after the season we endured last year… I am allowing myself some blind optimism for a change.

This will be a very tough game.Wakey would love to spoil the party. We don't want this to be a repeat of the last game at the Willows when a 10,000 crowd attended and left deflated. This time we have the players. If the weather and transport links are ok then 8,000 possible. 26-12 win.

Salford 32 Wakefield 16 8k

Every match (in recent history) where I thought we would win, we lost.
Last game at the Willows, first game at Barton, and so many more.


If I was wanting to enthuse the Trinity players, I'd not feed them red meat but stick the predictions from here on the changing room. That would do it.

There will be no easy games this season. No player from any side will relax: their mortgages depend on keeping a job in Super League: a job market which will be about 15% smaller next season.

Add to that the loudly trumpetted ambition of our owner and every game will be cup final.

I will not predict anything but several close matches.

Would you have predicted Liverpool's score against Arsenal?

We're hoping that it takes Timmy plenty of time to settle, just as he did at Wakey.
During his first season, half of his passes went straight into touch as nobody could read his play.


There should be a healthy contingent of Wakey fans and we're just hoping that your new team of superstars haven't had time to gel

Judging by the couple of friendlies, Smith and Chase seem to have gelled pretty well together. Smith being the standout half against Leigh and Chase against Wire. Let's hope I've not jinxed them now!

It's find of unfortunate that our first game is against Wakey as I've got a real soft spot for the Club and see them as my adopted Yorkshire side. I see many similarities in the past between our two Clubs over the years. I really don't want you lot to spoil our party, but wish you all the best against everyone else.

I kind of feel the same way Butcher
I would love Wakefield to cause ashock but I'd really like Salford to fulfill the promise and play open rugby and beat the big guns.

Tim Smith was one of my favourite players and when he was at his best (and possibly when the rest of the team were at his speed) he was magnificent to watch. He and Chase could be outstanding this year, as long as they find their roles.
Smith's cut out pass, no look pass and no look kick actually, are as good as you are going to get.

What would you say was your expected team?

As I've just posted on your forum. Something along the lines off:

1. Jake Mullaney
2. Greg Johnson
3. Martin Gleeson (although Walton deserves another shot in my eyes)
4. Junior Sa'u
5. Francis Meli
6. Rangi Chase
7. Tim Smith
8. Adrian Morley
9. Tommy Lee
10. Lama Tasi
11. Gareth Hock
12. Harrison Hansen
13. Tony Pulatua

14. Stu Howarth
15. Darrell Griffin
16. Shannon McPherson
17. Andrew Dixon

You missed Sam Burgess out of that line-up

Is Tasi your main goal kicker ????

Yep

1. Jake Mullaney
2. Danny Williams
3. Martin Gleeson
4. Junior Sa'u
5. Francis Meli
6. Rangi Chase
7. Tim Smith
8. Adrian Morley
9. Tommy Lee
10. Lama Tasi
11. Gareth Hock
12. Harrison Hanson
13. Tony Pulatua

14. Theo Fages
15. Darrell Griffin
16. Shannon McPherson
17. Andrew Dixon/Steve Rapira (if fit)

Cheers...best of luck for the start of the season we need all the strong teams we can get.

I'd be disappointed if Williams is on the wing, Johnson has shown touches of real class during the two trial games, Williams on the other hasn't looked 100% fit to me. Also Howarth has been being uses as interchange hookers in the two games so far, Theo hasn't really had a sniff (which is disappointing) so I can't see him coming in ahead of Howarth.

I'm pulling your leg pal, Jake Mullaney is our goal kicker!

Johnson in place of Williams and Howarth on the bench as interchange hooker.

I'm not going to get into the personal reasons for it as it's been done to death but I was dissapointed when we signed Johnson and is one of the reasons I still say we are a back light hence why I said if the Doc looked to bring back Ashton I think it would be a good move.

Theo for me deserves his place in the 17 based on the stirling efforts he put in as a young half back behind a beaten pack week in week out last season, personally I think he can cover at hooker too (I mean he got in the field for France in the WC @ 9.

Cracking idea on a Sunday to maybe tempt families to split between retail therapy and your rugby fix.



The new signings all get a game which is good from a bums on seats point of view, first chance to see them plan and all that.

I dont think I've ever been this nervous before with salford. Even though its a great feeling with the club this is a MUST WIN GAME if they want the crowds turning up every week. I saw the picture of our away support against wire in the friendly and it was fantastic. Hope it will be like that at London

Obviously it's Howarth or Theo as interchange hooker.
I would have said that Theo was a cert but now I'm not so sure.
What we don't know is how they've been at training .
I think he's going to give it to Howarth,despite the promise that Theo showed last season.
Whatever happens we must trust Noble as he's the pro.

Think howarth has done well so far his duel with Theo is interesting on current form I think howarth edges it also howarth covers hooker, scrum half and loose forward which is a bonus

Arm wrestle of a game on Sunday, Reds 14 Wakefield 10.