They should have benefitted from Sunday and if young Whitton turns out to be the next Billy Slater then maybe we could get Brad Knowles to break Woody’s other thumb.

Grix gave an interview this week basically saying he wanted JWH as is no 1 fullback and he didn’t think it would be fair to have someone of Alex walkers quality deputising for him , he also mentioned money , fax have spent a fair amount of money this off season so I would imagine joe Martin on trial would be a financial decision. We also have several players who can fill in at fullback, I suppose it depends on the severity of JWHs broken thumb and how long he’s out .

Compliments to Salford’s goal line defence as they repelled several sets on their line and fax just couldn’t find a way through. We had plenty of possession and made some good yards , thought McComb had another excellent game and for me if we’re picking on form should be starting against Batley , he’s always dangerous with ball in hand he makes yards similar to saltenstall when driving it in and is defensively sound . Gwaze made yards and has a good engine and Kavanagh is looking well , Kyle wood is class and I’m sure the combo of him and Keyes is gonna be devastating at times this season. Shame we haven’t seen a clear run for walmsley yet but his time will come , it seems an obvious tactic that Keyes puts the bomb in for him in the corners on the last which im sure reap some benefits at some point , overall a good performance just need to tighten up our defence which as been exposed at times all be it against super league opposition.

JM was certainly a surprise inclusion and immediately thought about Whitton.
On reflection and listening to several of his interviews, apart from his other regular duties SG puts a lot of emphasis on the fullback being a good organiser.
He mentions it a lot whenever he talks about Scott playing there, that they are better organised because of his x number of years experience so maybe he see’s JM as a competent number 1 and being a stronger organiser than say young Whitton at this point in time?

I thought that was a big improvement on the wakefield game. Salford came out as you would expect fast and trying to blow us off the park early doors they did score a couple of tries but we hung on in there. And to be honest i thought the final score was harsh on halifax but that can happen. I was surprised to see joe at fullback but to be fair to him i don't think he did much wrong and had a good game. As for liam when he came on in the second half he dealt with sneyds kicks really well and looked sharp when carrying the ball it will be interesting to see what is distribution out of hand is like and is reading of the game but he looks promising to me. What i don't understand is the reasons simon as given for taking joe on trail are the same reasons he gave for not signing alex walker who for me is the better player. Anyway on to batley next as somebody as already said zak Macomb was very good again last night starting on the wing then when worthington went off injured hopefully nothing serious was also very lively at it would be harsh not to pick him next week. It would be good if we get Arundel some early ball because even with poor ball he looks a handful. And will brandon be fit to play him starting and wood coming off the bench looks pretty handy to me.

Really enjoyed this one and was good to here Salford fans rating us and rating Ashton

Noticed a difference in the second half when players such as walmsley, tangata etc did not come back on.

Stand outs for me were Keyes, Walmsley and Titus Gwaze

Am still not sure on Arundel at and cant get my head round letting a excellent full back go who showed 100% commitment to bring in joe martin.

Main threat was Salford's number 6 (Croft) bit of a different class


Ashton and Keyes next week in the backs not sure on where Joufret will fit in to this as he should be playing