I think what is by far the best for the team is to have Godwin and Smith interchanging at 9 with Ratchford and Holdsworth in the halves.

Right as some of you may know I have bin Matty Smiths biggest critic over the last year but I think his performance on Sunday was nothing short of outstanding, I also thought he played well in a poor team at Cardiff, I know its early days this season but hopefully his move to hooker will be a good one. I have also liked what I have seen of ratchford so far and it just shows what playing him in the right position can do.

I just hope McRae keeps ratchford at stand of and Smith at hooker for Friday as I think they deserve it. I just have a feeling McRae will move smith back into the halves and put Godwin at hooker which if I was Ratchford id be fairly pi*sed of about it. I actually thought Godwin was our best player at Cardiff before he got sent off but its now up to him to earn his place back in the team. Id be quite annoyed if this happened to.

Lets hope we get a decent crowd Friday and can put a good performance and not get stuffed again.

With Godwin back for the next game and Ryan Boyle suspended again no doubt, I'd go with something this.

1. Patten
2. Broughton
3. Henry
4. Nero
5. Gibson
6. Ratchford
7. Holdsworth
8. Cashmere
9. Smith (Deserves to keep his starting spot, he was outstanding against Wakey and not getting nealry enough credit for his performance)
10. Jewitt
11. Sidlow
12. Adamson
13. Wild

14. Feka
15. Godwin
16. Parker
17. Neal/Spencer ( No one else fit at the moment)

If Boyle is allowed to play, Jewitt to the bench instead of Neal/Spencer and Boyle to come into the front row.

Still got Gleeson, Bailey, Anderson to come into the team yet.

We've now got to keep some sort of performance going against Wigan, no ones expecting us to beat either Wigan or Leeds in out next couple of games, but its important that we don't crumble after a great performance at Wakefield. If we can get through these 2 games without any major injuries/suspensions then we should hopefully start to get some bodies back then with a bit of luck we can start to pick some points up and gain a bit of consistency.

From what was said at the meeting last night, Boyle will be more than fine, in-fact, if I heard him right, after the game even Ganson agreed that there was nothing in it, I think he had to act on what the linesman said (who was stood directly in-front of some fervent Wakey fans who's opinions may have swayed it!

) but I could have heard that wrong and may get my legs slapped

I think I would start with the same team with Godwin on the bench. my worry would be how Smith would cope up against a front row of Coley, Mcillorum (sp?) and Fielden (if fit) and so the extra hooking experience of Godwin would be very useful

I think that Godwin, Smith and Ratchford will have to get used to spending parts of each game on the bench in a fully fit team. They should all get similar times on the field so shouldn't worry too much about who starts on the field or on the bench

There's a lot of logic behind having the defensively sound Godwin on for the first 20 with Smith starting for his kicking game and then bringing Stef on (for Godwin with Smith moving to hooker) to increase the attacking options after 20 mins or so. Smith could then be rested after his spell at hooker with Godwin coming back on and Ratchford staying on and decisions after that depending on how the game is progressing (if we want to close it down bring Smith back on for Stef, if we are chaisng it, have all three on in some capacity)

providing the forwards provide a platform we have some good combinations at hooker/half back to give us plenty of options

surely we cannot change a winning team? For me we should stick with the same team/squad for this game regardless of who is available from injuries/suspensions

and because of the poor lighting at Wakefield how could the linesman see, because we couldn't see Boylie had even gone off.

As expected Boyle no charge. [url=http://www.therfl.co.uk/disciplinary/item?2358Here[/url

Agreed 100% he played the ball quickly and we looked like a different side

[iRATCHFORD needs to be offered a long term contract with the Reds before the likes of St Helens come sniffing again now it's official that Eastmond is jumping ship at the end of this season.[/i

would he want to stay?

[iReports in the paper this morning state that Rugby Union clubs Newcastle Falcons and London Irish are checking up on Ratchford.

Like I have said before come on Salford City Reds get this very talented player tied up before we loose another classy young player.
[/i

Certainly we need to get him on a decent contract - but ultimately if the big money comes in who knows what may happen - after all if St Helens couldn't hang on to Eastmond.......

Let's be honest you think he is going to sign for us with the current state of the club ?
New stadium yes
Good team no
Garunteed licence no
Top 8 no
Good coaching no

Hmmmm does not look good!

should have already been given a new contract-another talent likely to be lost

You can't force someone to sign a contract - I'm sure that nobody at the club wants to lose talented players, but until Salford are challenging for trophies again it will remain difficult to stop them moving to other clubs.

I've always rated Stef from first seeing him play. But let's not get carried away, if he can't command a regular first team place at Salford, how can he be considered a truly great player. How many other SL clubs would exchange their current No6 for him?

Don't get me wrong, I think he should be our regular 6 and I think he has great potential, but there's still a lot to prove.

Can't disagree too much with you RR, however, I think a lot of Salford fans (myself included) believe Stef is one of the most talented British 6's in SL but isn't getting the game time he deserves in his, IMO, best position. If he is given a long run (6-8 games) at HB with DH I believe we will see consistently excellent perfiormances from Stef rather than the odd bit of class as he is shunted around the backline to accommodate other players.

Keep Stef and DH together and use Godwin and Smith at 9. If there are injuries in the back line I'd hope Stef isn't shifted to cover for these as he needs to play in his best position. I'd rather see the likes of Clay drafted into the 17 and Gibson & Henry moved around than Stef playing out ion the wing.

If Stef does move to RU or to the likes of Saints it will be a big kick in the b0ll0cks. With the new ground we need to be taking an exciting, young, ambitious team with us that is going to attract potential new fans. Stef, Jodie, Gibbo, Luke along with the more experienced heads such as DH, Ray & Patten can help us achieve that.

Oh and I think we all know [uthe[/u reason why he isn't "commanding" a regular spot but that may just change over the next month



Super League, you have been warned...........

fans can get irate at the club but ultimately it's a players decision and they will weigh up the pros and cons. for Stef, I think it a little risky as I can't see where he'd naturally slot in in Union. Stephen Myler didnt have great hands but was a very good kicker so it was an obvious switch for him to become a fly-half/full back...Chev Walker was a smash and grab centre without the hands required to play at centre in RU (unlike Hape).

If Stef, I'd wait, see how Eastmond goes (cos I really really can't see what position he'd play in Union!!!) and then decide on my future.

Andy Wilson's Guardian blog reports rumours that Wasps are after Ratchford. Let's hope the desire to play League with Salford that made him turn Liverpool FC down a few years ago will make him want to turn down Union too www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/20 ... per-league

Andy Wilson's Guardian blog reports rumours that Wasps are after Ratchford. Let's hope the desire to play League with Salford that made him turn Liverpool FC down a few years ago will make him want to turn down Union too www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/20 ... per-league

The game cannot afford to lose any more talented young players, The Reds should get him signed up now.

Another article, again in the Guardian which suggests Seff might be off to union

[urlhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/mar/07/stefan-ratchford-salford[/url

Young lad with a short career in front of him:

offered a lot more money

and the better life style that being a Union player in London will bring (as well as more opportunities once he has stopped playing professional rugby)

as well as possible international duties.

Think we have a bit of a problem here.

Tricky situation for Salford. You want to get your talented players signed up, the club can now show real evidence that any players still here will be part of year one at a new stadium... but, the players don't know who'll be coaching the team and what role that coach may see them fulfilling. Arguably we need to sort the coaching situation out before sorting player contracts.

I'd love have Stefan at Saints. Looks quality every time i see him play.