It was obviously an improved performance against Wigan from your first couple of games, but I think it will be next weeks performance that will allow you to judge how you are actually going as a team. Meaning, did you raise your game against us or is that a level you are capable of playing at each week?

Completely agree!

We did well considering the number of players we have out, i think once we can get what is supposed to be our "first" team on the park we may start putting a few wins together.

Think for me the key factor is getting Ratchford on the park along with Smith and Reg. I'm convinced that the creative edge we had on Friday is down to a change in direction from Alker and Simms. I think we played more off the cuff rugby and on a different day a few passes would have stuck and the result just might have been different.

Didn't we play a similar kind of rugby last time simms was in charge. I think when asked he said he hadn't had time to do anything with the team so told them to go out and enjoy themselves. Could that account for how they played on fri?

It was definately off the cuff type stuff, against lesser teams we'd have scored a few more points. The thing is in Ratchford we've got a brilliant attacking player with a kicking game that can test even the best players so why has he been on the bench or stiffled as he has been. It's a long time since i've seen a centre/wing partnership at Salford look so continually dangerous as the left flank was on Friday.

Sir Matt Busby coached exactly the same way.

Two days on I'm still not sure how to feel about friday night. We could quite easily have put another couple of tries on the board, but bombed so may half chances we really didn't deserve to win. However, when I got back from the game i felt like we should be cheering a win.

Things I take from friday night, if Big Ray carries on like that he should be Man Of Steel come the end of the season!!! May sound like I'm getting carried away, but that was the best performance I've seen from a Salford forward since the legend that was John Cartwright donned the famous red shirt. Patten was brilliant in attack, and is definitely starting to show why we signed him. Whatever he earns, Cashmere deserves, at least, the same amount. Adam Neal looked a much better player, and Parker, despite his knock on, is starting to look more his old self. Adamson had a mixed bag, dumped on his ass a couple of times, but saw him driving it in hard once or twice also.
As for the back line, the defence outwide is still creaking a little, but Nero looks like a good signing and Broughton is starting to see a little more of the ball. Mark Henry looked lively, but isn't fast enough to play on the wing. Special mentions for Smith, Ratchford, his passing is really start to look good and his kicking game is up there with the best, and Sneyd, looked dangerous.

Could someone, please tell me, if Sidlow made a reappearance after going off in the first half? Was he at fault for the first try? If so, he needs to up his game. Lots of potential but needs to dropping for a couple of weeks as he's appears very lazy.

we did play well but dont really think it feels like a win. Thought it was a great chance for us to beat wigan after the upset of them losing the WCC. We bombed about 4 or 5 chances near their try line where they didn't seem as confortable defending as they usually do. Our defence was much better but both leuluai tries were very soft.

I think that your comment has very neatly summed up what the majority of fans feel: that it isn't that we are not getting too carried away with ourselves when it comes to realistic expectations, but that a lot is about effort, both personal and as a team.

It rips the heart heart out of good fans' when they see that it's not so much about conceding tries or losing games, but the manner in which this occurs. You don't have to be a "body language Guru", to read the obvious signs, they are there for all to see when lack of effort and conviction are major factors.

In my experience Salford fans will ALWAYS back a side if they can see that they are committed, and trying their best. I don't think any of us, as Reds fans, could be accused of being impatient for success.

Personally I don't think Sidlow is agile enough to play second row at Superleague level. By this I mean the speed of his feet from a standing start and not his overall speed when in full stride.

With his height and build he has the potential to tear it up in the front row but for whatever reason he seems to be lacking the aggression and drive to play prop. Perhaps its nothing more than a physcological issue that he could work on with the coaching staff? He's a big strong lad and he should be hurting people and doing more damage on the pitch than he is. Maybe big Ray could help the lad by mentering him and learning him how you use his size to his advantage?

My experience of seeing Sidlow is unfortunately from on Sky. But I have to agree with you here. Big he is, strong he is, but he appears to have very limited movement from the hips up. He doesn't look nearly agile or athletic enough for me.

As I have said: my watching him is very limited and I would gladly listen to anyone who disagrees.

For me he just doesn't look like a modern day SL forward.

You mean like at 4rlHERErl