As reflected in this thread, I always thought this forum had the more reasonable, erudite and knowledgable fans on RLFANS. Middleton being the obvious exception, of course.

Some good words from Koukash here.....

"I'm big enough to admit I've made a few mistakes. I learned from my mistakes and I think the mistakes I've made will help me be a better chairman in the future.

Earlier in the season I was a novice. I really believed that you could just buy individuals and slot them into a team that can compete.

That's never going to happen because a team needs to gel, and possibly some of the players we had were not the right balance for the team."

..............

Can't argue that that's not a good honest realistic appraisal of himself and how the season has gone for Salford.

Finally he realises. Let us hope he invests in the correct areas now.

I don't find him an easy character to warm to (his public persona, I have no idea what he's like really) and I would prefer him to get things done in the right places and not make damaging comments in the press.

But is he really "bad" for the game? If we have another team able to spend the full cap, and he can do it long term and bring financial security, maybe bigger crowds, and he's in it for the long term, then that can only be good for the sport. The sport needs outside investment. He brings that.

Salford's academy has never had a problem producing players. Keeping them has been the hard part, when bigger salaries and silverware come calling. If he can help them do that, so much the better.

I think (would hope) that's what we all want so long as they lose to the Rhinos when it matters!

What the "good doctor" has done with Salford can't be questioned but the things he's done from the image of RL on the whole could be regarded as damaging - Like El D says, he's public persona comes over as a bit of an ar$e.