Hock and Chase are still big misses, arguably 2 of our best players and both can turn a game on their own...Though occasionally they can turn it the wrong way too! We may have more depth than some appreciate but we don't have anyone with the talent of either of these 2 just 'waiting in the wings'.

On another note, is Mullaney injured too?

Given our injuries and Widnes’ home form so far, the bookies will have to us a start. Any other players and we would have been ok, but Rangi, Hock and Meli are all big losses to our starting 13.

Hopefully Sa’u will make a return, but people are forgetting he still isn’t match fit. A disrupted pre-season due to the birth of his child and an injury in the opening game mean he is still on catch up. Rapira should be in contention, but again has only played one game in the last 6-8 months and wont be upto the required levels for a while yet either.

For what it’s worth, I didn’t think we were 38-0 worse than Saints last week. They ran away with it at the end after the heads dropped so I can see this one (given injuries and lack of fitness) being a close one still.

Salford by 6.

Heart obviously wants a win but the head is saying it's highly unlikely after what I've witnessed so far. I don't think the team have clicked up to now, the back line in particular is lacking speed, fluidity and spark. (Bring Longy back) Further to this our kicking game has been poor so far, we're dropping off tackles and we are going to be missing a few key players. We also need to work on slowing down the opposition ruck speed (legally) and we need a few more attacking plays other than Hansen running wide off Tim Smith.

My head says Widnes by 30+ Points but I really hope my gut instinct is wrong.

Whilst early in the season I think this game could really set the tone for how the year will pan out. We're missing our two big names and are coming off the back of a slapping by a very good team. We're coming up against a team which on paper you'd say we're stronger than but who are clearly in much better form than us. If this season is to be the sort of success we are hoping for (in to the play-offs with a little room to spare) then this is the sort of game we need to be winning by a try or two.

I agree that a win would be a terrific confidence boost and could potentially define our season.

Win on Thursday and we then have a fighting chance next Friday, lose and it could end up being losing 5 on the trot.

I'd hate to be in Nobles shoes if that was the case.

It is interesting that we have played the last 120 minutes at home ( 40 mins 2nd half v Wakefield and 80 mins v Saints ) without scoring a point and the only repeat set I can recall was 2 mins from the end of the last game when the much maligned Stu Howarth put a kick into the in-goal area,which he followed and tackled Lomax for the GLDO.

I heard Sean Long interviewed once and he stated he constructed attacks from our own 20 due to the lack of impact from our pack at the time.

Getting it perfect for rounds 10 and 11 will be the away games at Leeds and Catalans.


As we have a 100% away record thus far in Super League with the away win at London I will hope the away wins continue,at Widnes,and beyond rounds 10 and 11.

I am not too sure how many of our overseas signings will have played on an artificial surface.

Nobody can question Long's talent as a player, but as a coach I don't buy into this reputation he seems to have amassed with some Salford fans. Yes we played some great attacking rugby under his directive, but we had some very talented attacking players in Holdsworth, Smith and Moon.

I also don't think he's made the transition from player to coach, during his time at Salford seemed to be more interested in being mates with the players rather than their coach and a figure of seniority.

His well publicised personal issues aren't what we need either, Wigan and London both didn't like what they saw. I hope he gets sorted and gets a break, we don't produce too many good half backs in this country and it would be a waste to see him disappear from the game.

I agree. Look our back line a couple of years ago. Patten, Gleeson, Moon, Broughton, Smith, Holdsworth. There was a lot of attacking qualities in there. The wingers/centres we had then were more exciting than I anticipate the guys we have this season will be.

What will your likely team be then ?

Are Hock and Chase dedinitely out?

Hock, definitely; Chase, as far as we know. Plus Meli and Griffin.

Pleased I was sitting down when I read this.It is almost an ecomium for Steve Simms.How did he persuade that standard of player to a dilapidated stadium;a club rapidly running out of money;amateur set-up etc.?

Reading the letter questioning the pace of the backs which,for some arcane reason was printed in this weeks RLE,it looks like this year the backs are going to be to blame after previous complaints about the pack.

Should be good on here after we win on Thursday night...

Listening to Wilkin on the Superleague show he said the score did not reflect the Salford performance , and was a hard physical game. I feel this will be a close and competitive game, as Saints really just took their chances and kicked the goals too. Anyway i hope you bring a decent following because it is like a local derby now in my eyes. So how many tickets have you sold and are a few travelling? Be nice to have a good away following to create a atmosphere.