Matthew Shaw reporting a Salford fire sale is about to take place with clubs being invited to bid for players and the RFL willing to grant quota and cap dispensations. Is there anyone we would be interested in?

[quote="Droopy":df87apxt]Matthew Shaw reporting a Salford fire sale is about to take place with clubs being invited to bid for players and the RFL willing to grant quota and cap dispensations. Is there anyone we would be interested in?[/quote:df87apxt] I'm not sure there is really. Of course they have some good players but if we've made the effort to build a team that will work well together and with Powell, sometimes knocking players back to keep the ethic in place, adding someone randomly may break that. I'd be looking at young potential there rather than top players.

[quote="PopTart":6cmrmrmq]I'm not sure there is really. Of course they have some good players but if we've made the effort to build a team that will work well together and with Powell, sometimes knocking players back to keep the ethic in place, adding someone randomly may break that. I'd be looking at young potential there rather than top players.[/quote:6cmrmrmq] I agree, there isn’t anyone I would be desperate for, although saying that, I would like to add a hardened super league level prop. Granted we have McMeeken but I would argue that Atoni was hit and miss in SL and Rodwell and Uele are unknowns at SL level. So whilst not an exciting pick up, the likes of Singleton, Bullock or even Hill could be useful over the course of a season.

[quote="Droopy":2591wpa7] So whilst not an exciting pick up, the likes of Singleton, Bullock or even Hill could be useful over the course of a season.[/quote:2591wpa7] Good God! Our penalty count would be even worse than it has been of late. Unbelievable, I know but very likely.

In for Watkins apparently

[quote="Dannyboywt1":1dy5pvu0]In for Watkins apparently[/quote:1dy5pvu0] He's done alright since he got rinsed by Bill "Tornado" Tupou!!

[quote="BarnsleyGull":14p84a5l]He's done alright since he got rinsed by Bill "Tornado" Tupou!! [/quote:14p84a5l] He will put the season tickets sales up Over 30 reaching end of is S L days .Though those days had gone

[quote="alegend":1ap9fgdg]He will put the season tickets sales up Over 30 reaching end of is S L days .Though those days had gone[/quote:1ap9fgdg] Short term he would do a job but if we are looking at second rows then Sam Stone could be an option and if the quota is free could be a good long term addition.

Stone’s alright isn’t he, but even with age against him I’d still prefer Watkins. Honestly don’t think Singleton, Bullock, Ormondroyd et al would improve our squad, which is testament to the job Paul Rowley’s done with them all as a unit. In terms of pure talent, McDonald, Nikorima, Lafai and Sneyd are the standouts. But I’m not sure how/where any of them would fit in our system at the moment. The first two are also big hard-to-coach characters and we seem to be avoiding those types at the moment, which I’m all for. I’m happy with where our squad is - it’ll be easier to see where we really need to strengthen by July.

I think McDonald would be good but we don't need centres

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/sa ... incredible Shorrocks always impresses to be honest

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/sa ... incredible Shorrocks always impresses to be honest

I trust Powell and Steve Mills if they think they can get Watkins and he’ll improve the squad then that will do for me. A lot of experience was lost when Ashurst went and Watkins would be good value on a 2 year deal. Plus he could also provide cover at centre as it’s a long season and a relatively small squad of 30 players. 43 were used when last in SL.

Yeah we did have 43 but we were desperately trying to stay in Super League, so were loaning players from any club that would lend us any !!

[quote="Dannyboywt1":2ivc25xn]https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/salford-red-devils-outrageous-line-up-for-2025-if-rumoured-targets-sign-is-incredible Shorrocks always impresses to be honest[/quote:2ivc25xn] Shorrocks and Watkins would be 2 who I think would really improve our squad. Shorrocks is a very talented athlete and his ability to cover all positions in the pack apart from Prop along with high level skill set meaning he can also cover 6 would be very useful. Watkins is just a great pro and he’s become a very good second row as well as his leadership qualities.

[quote="Dannyboywt1":1kbwaj9g]https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/salford-red-devils-outrageous-line-up-for-2025-if-rumoured-targets-sign-is-incredible Shorrocks always impresses to be honest[/quote:1kbwaj9g] Looks to me they are having a sale to bring better players in Thought they were in danger of going bust and they were selling players to stay afloat ..Stinks to me or am I reading it wrong

[quote="alegend":3gr68z55]Looks to me they are having a sale to bring better players in Thought they were in danger of going bust and they were selling players to stay afloat ..Stinks to me or am I reading it wrong[/quote:3gr68z55] No idea where you get that from. They are being forced into this position.

I’d be very happy with Watkins as a second row option, it would remind me of our McGillvary’s signing last year and has the potential to be a real crowd favourite. He’s also a very good professional, a great lad who’d be good to have around the place Like a couple of others have said, we could do with another no nonsense, hard nosed, experience and dependable prop but I’m not over sold on any of Salfords front rowers

[quote="The Avenger":2n05wtqh]I’d be very happy with Watkins as a second row option, it would remind me of our McGillvary’s signing last year and has the potential to be a real crowd favourite. He’s also a very good professional, a great lad who’d be good to have around the place Like a couple of others have said, we could do with another no nonsense, hard nosed, experience and dependable prop but I’m not over sold on any of Salfords front rowers[/quote:2n05wtqh] If Leeds are in for him aswell though it looks like Trinity will be outbid and he’ll go there …

[quote="The Avenger":3ohapkt5]I’d be very happy with Watkins as a second row option, it would remind me of our McGillvary’s signing last year and has the potential to be a real crowd favourite. He’s also a very good professional, a great lad who’d be good to have around the place Like a couple of others have said, we could do with another no nonsense, hard nosed, experience and dependable prop but I’m not over sold on any of Salfords front rowers[/quote:3ohapkt5] I like Brad Singleton in the right rotation. Wigan were poor up front when he was there and he did his best to hold the prop rotation together but he’s not that kind of player. We have on the face of it some decent impact and go forward but if you want a grub and disruptor who will put his head where others don’t then he’s your man, and to be honest we probably lack that type of player.

Singleton was really poor when he played for us on loan. Really didn't want to play for us. I wouldn't want him now.

[quote="asmadasa":3upctoir]If Leeds are in for him aswell though it looks like Trinity will be outbid and he’ll go there …[/quote:3upctoir] Why would we be outbid these days?

[fimg=][/fimg][quote="The Avenger":jsxeuyqa]I’d be very happy with Watkins as a second row option, it would remind me of our McGillvary’s signing last year and has the potential to be a real crowd favourite. He’s also a very good professional, a great lad who’d be good to have around the place Like a couple of others have said, we could do with another no nonsense, hard nosed, experience and dependable prop but I’m not over sold on any of Salfords front rowers[/quote:jsxeuyqa] For me Prop is what we are short of. Not a quality issue, but an attritional one. People go on about middle and I get it, but looking at ours none look as though they would be overly comfortable playing as out and out props in an emergency. I don’t think the player would need to be top notch, just a dependable player with a bit of size. There are a few around.

[youtube][/youtube][quote="vastman":vnp8tbqq][fimg=][/fimg]For me Prop is what we are short of. Not a quality issue, but an attritional one. People go on about middle and I get it, but looking at ours none look as though they would be overly comfortable playing as out and out props in an emergency. I don’t think the player would need to be top notch, just a dependable player with a bit of size. There are a few around.[/quote:vnp8tbqq] My point exactly, other than McMeeken, our other starting props are either unproven at SL or have a point to prove. It does worry me. I was disappointed when Bowden signed elsewhere because whilst he isn’t a world beater, he is robust and experienced enough to be a key part of the team. You then look at if one of our first 4 props is injured who steps up? Bain and Vangana are both inexperienced and probably a little lightweight. Storton, probably would be my preference to step up but isn’t a natural prop. So I go back to my previous post, even though it wouldn’t be a exciting or inspiring signing, a experienced and robust SL prop is needed in my opinion.

[quote="Droopy":wpq01xhz][youtube][/youtube]My point exactly, other than McMeeken, our other starting props are either unproven at SL or have a point to prove. It does worry me. I was disappointed when Bowden signed elsewhere because whilst he isn’t a world beater, he is robust and experienced enough to be a key part of the team. You then look at if one of our first 4 props is injured who steps up? Bain and Vangana are both inexperienced and probably a little lightweight. Storton, probably would be my preference to step up but isn’t a natural prop. So I go back to my previous post, even though it wouldn’t be a exciting or inspiring signing, a experienced and robust SL prop is needed in my opinion.[/quote:wpq01xhz] Rodwell, Atoni, Mckmeeken, Uele - will be our starting 4. Vagana, Shaw, Bain, Lingard are our back up props. I think Vagana would be a good step in but there’s questions over the others. But for the off game we should be fine. Would be nice to find one more prop from somewhere. Think we will only start to struggle if we get 2 or more injuries to props. We can cope with 1 out. I’m sure there’s plenty about though who are hunting a loan deal or game time like Eseh, other Wigan prop if and when needed.

Bowden was a loss for me but Powell decided that was the right thing to do. I guess we have to give Shaw game time if he is to develop so we should tryst that he can. To a certain extent Bain is the same. Vagana would be fine but I'd rather let him develop at SR. Cozza is a 13 for me. No more a prop than Pitts.