For any Salford fan to think Tommy Lee is a top hooker then your being delusional. He is a run of the mill Super League Hooker, in fact I would only say Wakefield and Widnes have a similar level hooker and I feel I am being generous.

He gives 100% and will tackle and kick for us all ay, but by no means is he top draw. I have always felt this is the one key pivot position which Salford have ignored over the past 20 years and have struggled because o it.

I would love to see a really class number 9 who can dictate the speed of play and put us on the front foot.

God loves a tryer but we had Mal trying for years and lets be honest all he could do was tackle.

With regards to O'Brien, it would be foolish to drop Nial, who was one of our stand out players last year so can't see that happening. And O'Brien on the bench in stead of Tomkins would be another surprise as you don't need cover for your backs due to the infrequency in which they get injured. It would be a waste of a bench spot for a forward against what is a very big pack, which we will have to match.

I've heard that Tim Sheen's see's a lot of potential in young Matthew Wilkinson.

I've heard good things about him as well. Hopefully if the draw is kind to us we could give him a cup run and also use his as backup in case of injuries to Lee and Tomkins

I'm obviously in the minority of one on here but based on Wigan performance I'd have O'Brien at FB instead of Evalds. He didn't put a foot wrong, was solid under the high ball, linked up well with the halves, got play out wide quickly & returned well, we didn't concede a point when he was on against a stronger Wigan side than the one that we conceded 16 against. Evalds was poor when he came on, in particular for the first try. Before the Wigan game it wouldn't have even entered my head to not play Evalds but then again I don't think he should be in the side just based on last year. Again it's only my opinion and is subjective but I was really impressed with O'Brien against Wigan. If he doesn't start I could see him being on the bench instead of a forward with Tommy Lee being more than able to play at 13 to accommodate both Tomkins & O'Brien. Just my opinion.

you cannot possibly compare last season against one friendly pal surely? Evalds is and will be our first choice FB this year, he is massively talented and will kick on again. It is great to know Gareth is able cover but IMO that's all he will be, cover for FB and HB positions but good cover at that.

I understand what you're saying but I think we should be selecting a team on current form not what we know they can do when on form. Like I say I'm in the minority of one but I'd happily start with O'Brien tonight. To be fair I'm an Evalds fan so won't complain whatsoever if he plays. Hasn't he started both our friendlies now with Evalds on the bench? Maybe that was just to see if he could cut it as FB cover. Like I say, I'm happy either way and of course I see Evalds as our number 1 for many years I just really liked what I saw against Wigan.

We got enough in the forwards to beat hull, the pack is massive and I think we have 2 that are big enough to compete with there's Murdoch Massila ans Kopczak, the 2nd rows might be a different story. Be interesting battle and who he selects.

[iI'm not expecting a victory here tonight however if we can stay competitive that'll do me. A heavy margined defeat will be a very disappointing outcome and a strong indication of a typically long season. So Please Reds lets keep it competitive. [/i

We know you have an odd view of the world Flat Stanley but just what is a "heavy marginal defeat"?

O'Brien is at FB just like i said.

Tomkins and Evalds on the bench gamble?

You'll beat us in the backs lads!! Haha

Seasons over already ....

Bring back Phil Veivers

Well you liked a rabbit in headlights tonight. Battered I think is the word

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