A big chance for Whitton but also a big ask to come (if he does) straight into a new side against SL opposition.
Aston has played 1 so maybe he could go there at some point in tonight’s game, either way regardless of ratings JK and LJ should have some big minutes in the halves to see how they perform.
Undecided about going tonight as we’re up at Keswick and I hate the M6 / Manchester traffic.
Anyone parked at the Trafford Centre and walked on to the AJB?

For me Bobby getting a ban is ridiculous. Watching the game again, yes he does hit the player after the ball is passed but it there is nothing in it. The Wakefield player was a abaout to get up and then stays down. What is the point of a sin bin if your going to get a ban. I thought that was the point of sin binning. It is for a reckless or stupid play. Not enough to be sent off (and therefore going being in front of the discipline panel) giving the opposition a 10 min advantage. And that’s the punishment.

Correct. Just watched it again and it's summat and nowt. 10 minutes at the most.

It's down to the current application of the rules. There was been a severe clamping down towards the end of last season - remember Tom Holmes getting binned for, at worst, a push in the back in the play-off game against Fax? -and the RFL announced new and more severe penalties a couple of weeks ago for striking, head-butting, kicking and late hits.

That's why there have been a flood of charges for late hits in the pre-season games so far. To be honest the Fairbank case would have been an open-and-shut one, he's still two or three feet away from the player after the ball has gone.

I think more of an eye-opener is the grade D charges put on James Clare and Liam Harris from the York v Cas game, that looked like handbags pretty much and was mostly pushing and shoving but the committee judged that both players landed blows on the opponent's head and that's going to cop a big ban from now on. With players now facing 11 days out in the return-to-play protocols for failing a concussion test, the RFL are keen to clamp down on any incidents which could lead to concussions.

The RFL are very mindful of what their clinical advisory group tells them and concussion is a very hot and potentially litigious issue, so regardless of what fans or players think this is how it's going to be.

If huddersfield made him available to us i would bite there hand off.

It’s a just a half educated speculator Tez with young Price being their first choice and also having Ashton Golding who’s a decent fullback who’s been given the number 5 shirt.
Maybe JWH Jamaica team mate in Ashton, he was on loan at Bradford last year.
More likely me talking tripe .

Your twitter feeds a bit embarrassing. Sounds like it's all the refs fault, with a startling lack of accountability for the Halifax players or praise for salfords

I thought we played well tonight. The lads looked sharp and were trying to play quick expansive rugby. There was good handling especially when a few passes didn’t go to hand. I thought Salford looked faster and stronger than Wakefield did so to keep them to 32 points was a positive. Even though our Salford friends post is a bit strange the ref did miss or ignore several Salford forward passes, knock on’s etc. quite a few late tackles were far worse than Bobbys last week and no sin bins. Very strange. Anyway I feel that the way we are shaping up we will cause problems for other champion teams. I’m really looking forward to this season. Can’t wait for Batley!

Get a grip. It's our clubs Twitter feed, updated by a Fax fan. Its bound to be a little bit biased but Ive just read it back and there is nothing that warrants your post caling it embarassing.

Sounds like we played some really good rugby from the people I talked to. Defense may be a little bit of a worry but Wakey and Salford are setting up for a season playing a completley different pace to what we will be playing so it shouldn't be too much of a concern. One thing I don't understand is bringing Joe Martin back and letting him start the game. To me its shows a lack of confidence in Whitton and is a backwards step in my opinion. Martin is a solid championship player but he isn't the answer for a team that has top 3 ambitions.

What's happened to Alex Walker? Thought you were very fortunate to have such a solid full back at this level potentially fall into your lap - I'm sure we would have signed him at Fev if we hadn't already signed Pickersgill - but haven't heard anything about him recently?

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.