"Weak" according to the most recent RFL audit: media.therfl.co.uk/docs/Academy% ... 202013.pdf I have to say I'm surprised and really hope that fixing this will be an absolute priority.

"Weak" according to the most recent RFL audit: media.therfl.co.uk/docs/Academy% ... 202013.pdf I have to say I'm surprised and really hope that fixing this will be an absolute priority.

Personally, I don't read to much into the reference to the Academy itself. The low score probably reflects two issues - that it plays in the championship competition rather than the SL one, and that the prospect of youngsters emerging from the Academy to the first team are virtually nil under BN's regime.

If Noble had had his way, Tompkins would never have stepped up to the big stage. He only got there because injuries forced Noble's hand, not because of any planned and structured introduction process.

The coaching staff come out of the report well.
It does refer to difficulties in the last year impacting on the progress of the academy. I guess this means not entering a team in the U-19 comp.

The main differences between Salford and clubs with better gradings seem to be facilities, commitment to the academy from the club leadership and specific educational pathways for the academy players.

Sounds like the Doctor is already going to address the first two. The last one would be straight forward and Morley's role from 2015 might impact positively in this area as well.

Being totally unfair to Noble.This report would have been commisioned well before Noble took the reins so hardly think anything Noble has done in his short time with Salford would have had any impact on the outcome of the report.
Its all about money and investment in the academies.It aint rocket science.The more money you have,the better facilities you can afford,more quality coaches and support staff.There are always exceptions but generally it seems to be the better financed academies are the more successful and as we all know we have had no money for a long time.I have no doubt that in the next few years there will be a gradual improvement in the Salford Academy as investment is put in place.

The report was commissioned about 3 to 4 weeks ago.

BN's track record in this respect is well known.

Would be surprised if this report took Noble into account. Would more than likely be referring more to Salfords academy going from 2nd place in the SL comp last season to dropping down a division due to the financial mess of the pre season.

Agree about Nobles track record though, as we have seen with 'anyone but Owen' being given the replacement hooker role since his arrival.

Sneyd, Theo, Walne? Have they not been selected quite regularly by Noble?

Sorry but think Noble has played plenty off kids and I think that his employer is a fan of our current youngsters (the warm words for them after the Wigan pre season friendly sold his vision for me) and his desire to create facilities to nurture this talent can only bode well for the future.

Good to see Walne has been kept in. Already talk of Sneyd going as part of the Chase deal. Can't really drop Theo due to form but would wager he will feature less next season depending on signings. Be interesting to see if Evalds gets a shot at full back next year after being kept out by loan signings from other clubs all this season.

Bear in mind that Walne was a signing made by Alan Hunte. While he may have been an Academy player last season, an overage one at that, he had left and joined Workington, not loan or dual.

On his day, I rate Mark Sneyd, and while he was in the Academy at one time, this is his second (at least) year as a first team player.

Adam and Mark are the same age, if not older, than Lee Gaskell, who continues to play at fullback even though he is a stand off or centre.

Theo is the exception, but let's be honest, is there anybody else for that position?

The last time I saw Evalds I thought he looked ring rusty. He'd been 18th man so many times, he hadn't played for weeks in either team. I felt sorry for the lad.

Anyway, despite all of that, having lost 3 props for the match against Huddersfield, lets see if BN turns to the talent in the Academy, or to an under performing, out of favour antipodean who didn't even stay to watch the match against the Cats?? And who, incidentally, should have been available to the U20s recently, but hasn't played there, and isn't down to play for them this week either.

I know where my money's going!

Who's available from the U20's pack? I thought their were a host of injuries including George Tyson, who deserves a call up before the end of the season.

From the club's website re the U20sThere will be a far more familiar and experienced look about the City Reds on this occasion, however, with the return from injury of skipper,Chris Hankinson, Edwin Okanga-Ajwang, Will Hope, and Aiden Hema. They will also be joined by the likes of Niall Evalds, Gareth Owen, Alex Davidson, George Tyson, and Dan Brotherton.[/i

Interesting now that the under performing, out of favour antipodean I had in mind is now leaving! Maybe McGoldrick will play prop? He's probably carrying enough weight and it's probably the only position he hasn't played at SCR yet!!

LEIGH 16-42 REDS (25-7-13)
Another convincing victory well done.....and still top of the league !

Hat trick for Jon Ford today who is on dual reg at Oldham in 1st vs 2nd clash vs Crusaders.

Also a hat trick for ex Salford Richard Lepori for Italy in a world cup warm up game.