Worryingly close to being nail on head.

I don't think it's as bleak as you're painting it, but there are times when I do fear that we are hemorrhaging fans. I could easily reel off 20 or 30 people who, in the time I've been watching, [iwere[/i die hards going home and away, who now only come occasionally at best, some I've not seen for years.

Bobby aka the optimist?

I couldn't believe it when my dad said he might give the Leeds cup game a miss if it was on telly. Bearing in mind he has only missed two home games (including friendlies) since 1962, and he probably beats himself up daily for those misses (for one of them, he was locked in a warehouse where the only windows were about 30ft up from the floor!).

Bit of an overreaction as usual. Same sort of threads year after year after year, usually in the middle of a bad run of form. We're still here though...

About a month or so ago we were 'the Barton Globetrotters' and 'the entertainers' on the back of a couple of wins.

Now after a bad run of defeats we're doomed!

I agree that we've been poor for the past few league games but the same weaknesses (paper thin pack, poor kicking game, suspect edge defence, lack of a reliable goal kicker etc) were all evident when we were winning.

A bit of perspective occasionally would be welcome.

If everyone gleaned their source of information from the MEN then the club is finished and the Irwell and Ship Canal would be full of Salford fans.

The MEN( or its stand in RL reporter) is really scraping the barrel once more over the club actually paying off its tax bill but reporting it in a way that I feel brings the paper into disrepute,(I might add that a friend showed me the report in his copy) as I have long since given up on it.

The club is struggling financially and is not helped by press items such as this which are old news regurgitated by poor reporters and some fans who seem to take delight in any news that is not good.

On the other hand at last nights Forever Reds meeting 30/40 people attended and put points forward in a logical common sense way that will improve the club and the stadium.

We had two young , potentially good players who explained themselves admirably and one could see that they were happy at the club, Theo signing for five years and Gareth for three.

With regards the Leeds cup tie, our tickets have been purchased our seats reserved and we look forward to the match, whether we win or not and I dont need motivating to watch a game of Rugby League especially when Salford are playing.

See you Sunday.

Agreed! The perspective is, as you have pointed out, those wins were merely papering over the cracks. Many posters on here always keep things in perspective and get slated by the rose tinted brigade for doing so.

If anyone wants a bit of perspective occasionally, follow the here and now and not the make believe! As Gaz has pointed out, his dad states he may have not attended on Sunday had the game been on TV. Now that's a huge telling factor that not just the rose tinted brigade should ignore, it should raise the alarm bells to another level. Is anyone listening? When loyal long time supporters start giving up the ghost, myself included and many more as Iain has pointed out the balance has shifted to a frightening level. In with the new? Out with the old? Yep I can see it heading that way but in what capacity? Better or worse? I fear the latter.

10,000 at the last game at The Willows, maybe 4000 on Sunday. Apathy is strife! Does anyone care if I don't turn up Sunday? I guess not?

I remember a story way back when, when my old fella was talking to a Featherstone Rovers supporter in a pub opposite Post Office Road just before we were due to play them. My dad asked 'are you coming to the game'? The Fev supporter replied 'I used to go but not anymore, they wouldn't come see me if I was ill so why should I bother going to see them?'

You'll always have supporters with blind faith and there's no harm in that, in fact the club relies on it. However it's like most things in life, if you don't look after it you'll lose it. I'm not saying it's doom and gloom for everyone, but, if you want a bit of perspective occasionally then there's some of mine!

I think we are one of the best teams in the league for chucking the ball about and playing 'panic rugby'. Do that from the start against Leeds and we've got a chance. If the ball doesn't stick we're screwed, but it's worth a go.

Problem is, you can't play 'panic rugby' for 80 mins against the good teams - however entertaining it may be.

You also need to be able to hold your own up front and IMO we lack the manpower. That's no slight on the coaches or the lads concerned and more a symptom of the fact that we're unable to spend anything like a full salary cap at this time.

Problem is, you can't play 'panic rugby' for 80 mins against the good teams - however entertaining it may be.

You also need to be able to hold your own up front and IMO we lack the manpower. That's no slight on the coaches or the lads concerned and more a symptom of the fact that we're unable to spend anything like a full salary cap at this time.

Agree. And that's why we need to roll the dice against Leeds. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Totally agree mate, go down swinging n all that.

'Better to die on your feet than live on your knees'

As I said somewhere else I think the type of good rugby we've played this term is best described as cup rugby, I agree we need to from the off on Sunday try to ruffle Leeds by throwing the ball about and giving it ago. Don't if we win the kick off go long left and hope to contain them go short and try to win the ball and get on a roll, try the odd chip over the top from a scrum, play Owen from the start and see how long he lasts, get the ball to Jodie as much as possible and let him run at bigger bulkier backs, tell Smith this is his moment to shine and boss the game.

We might get beaten out of sight but I'd rather that and tried than do get battered playing like we did last Saturday.

Sign Zapata now! I blame Simms that we haven't already got him

Hate to say it but I have to agree. The Mrs is working I've got the children all day, in the past I would have made sure I had babysitting all set up but, to be honest I havn't got £17 to see how level the salary cap has made Super League.