The competition for places will be key to any success we may have.

Sheens has said that we no longer have any idiots in the squad. (His own words) so I think that Niall will be keen to try and cement his place. This can only be a positive thing, hopefully bringing out the best in our players. I'm sure Niall will buckle-down and come back better.

I can't honestly believe what I read on this forum at times, Evalds was our best back last season and will be a superb player.

O'Brien isn't a Full Back end of, if Evalds gets dropped for him then it's same old Salford I'm afraid, shooting themselves in the foot.

In the relation to the need for a 'big prop' I do think that these big blockbusting props will not do as well with this new interchange rules in place. Small mobile props capable of big minutes is what will be useful.

Really? Who posted that then?

Quite a few on the Salford post which runs for 13 pages

So you can't specifically point any out

The only one I saw was a post in jest

Try looking on your own threads, a few Salford fans think they have got the game won in the backs


After putting 60 past our neighbours their is an air of confidence with the fc fans for once

Unless you have big mobile props like Hull have this season.
Watts and Green have to be two of the fastest in Super League.You know Scott Taylor well from last season then we have 23 year old Bowden who is Quick and Gareth Ellis to come in.
Wont mention Feka but he can also run a bit

Luke Frixou anyone? 6 ft 4 17 stone does he play for us coz he has no squad number but he could be good with those figures, in any position if he can play?

As a Hull fan, I'm amazed that Evalds may not be in your line up, all class that lad from what i have seen. Good for us i spose.

O'brien played very well at FB during pre season. Linked up well with the halves.

What do you think of Tommy Lee? He started out as the outstanding half back of his age group and was touted as a future international but never kicked on.

Official 19...

2 Justin Carney

7 Michael Dobson

1 Niall Evalds

13 Mark Flanagan

10 George Griffin

3 Josh Griffin

33 Josh Jones

17 Phil Joseph

8 Craig Kopczak

16 Olsi Krasniqi

21 Ryan Lannon

9 Tommy Lee

6 Rob Lui

11 Ben Murdoch-Masila

14 Gaz O’Brien

22 Matt Sarsfield

4 Junior Sa’u

19 Logan Tomkins

15 Adam Walne

So, no real shocks here I think...

Tommy Lee was one of the top hookers last year before his injury.

Haha, no he wasn't. He's been very average for us and in my eyes is lucky to still be at the club. Will tackle and try hard but overs no zip going forward. Would rather have Haughton from you guys

I know these kind of things are subjective, but I don't see where you are coming from on this one. He may not be the quickest hooker in the world but he works his socks off in attack and defense, has a great kicking game and can fill in in a number of different positions and roles. I was very skeptical when we signed him as I didn't really rate him, but he's been really good for us, and his appointment to Captain means that the management obviously think highly of him to.

Are you sure you've been watching Salford?

I think his game is too limited to be a top hooker, too slow and lacks a bit of skill. Strong defence, decent passing, kicking and good work ethic though, I would have him as solid SL hooker.

I agree totally.

He's never going to be a world-class ranked hooker, but he is a hard, solid SL hooker. He's been consistently decent for us since signing.

Before the injury against Wigan on Easter Monday Tommy Lee was playing well and contributed to our good form at the time. I also thought he did OK when he came back from injury in the middle 8's. He's not the quickest and doesn't have a top kicking game but he's honest, versatile, has good hands and works hard.

I can't see happening, but I'd like to see Gaz O'Brien on the bench instead of Logan Tomkins. He offers more versatility and will do a decent job at hooker when Tommy Lee needs to be spelled.

1. Evalds
2. Carney
3. Jones
4. Sa'u
5. Griffin
6. Lui
7. Dobson
8. Kopczak
9. Lee
10. G Griffin
11. Murdoch-Masila
12. Sarsfiled
13. Flanagan

14. O'Brien
15. Lannon
16. Krasniqi
17. Walne

They won't drop Tomkins i'm betting O'Brien will play FB.

For any Salford fan to think Tommy Lee is a top hooker then your being delusional. He is a run of the mill Super League Hooker, in fact I would only say Wakefield and Widnes have a similar level hooker and I feel I am being generous.

He gives 100% and will tackle and kick for us all ay, but by no means is he top draw. I have always felt this is the one key pivot position which Salford have ignored over the past 20 years and have struggled because o it.

I would love to see a really class number 9 who can dictate the speed of play and put us on the front foot.

God loves a tryer but we had Mal trying for years and lets be honest all he could do was tackle.

With regards to O'Brien, it would be foolish to drop Nial, who was one of our stand out players last year so can't see that happening. And O'Brien on the bench in stead of Tomkins would be another surprise as you don't need cover for your backs due to the infrequency in which they get injured. It would be a waste of a bench spot for a forward against what is a very big pack, which we will have to match.

I've heard that Tim Sheen's see's a lot of potential in young Matthew Wilkinson.

I've heard good things about him as well. Hopefully if the draw is kind to us we could give him a cup run and also use his as backup in case of injuries to Lee and Tomkins

I'm obviously in the minority of one on here but based on Wigan performance I'd have O'Brien at FB instead of Evalds. He didn't put a foot wrong, was solid under the high ball, linked up well with the halves, got play out wide quickly & returned well, we didn't concede a point when he was on against a stronger Wigan side than the one that we conceded 16 against. Evalds was poor when he came on, in particular for the first try. Before the Wigan game it wouldn't have even entered my head to not play Evalds but then again I don't think he should be in the side just based on last year. Again it's only my opinion and is subjective but I was really impressed with O'Brien against Wigan. If he doesn't start I could see him being on the bench instead of a forward with Tommy Lee being more than able to play at 13 to accommodate both Tomkins & O'Brien. Just my opinion.

you cannot possibly compare last season against one friendly pal surely? Evalds is and will be our first choice FB this year, he is massively talented and will kick on again. It is great to know Gareth is able cover but IMO that's all he will be, cover for FB and HB positions but good cover at that.