I know everyone has a moment of genius now and then but the try he sets up for Broughton is brilliant. Can't wait to see him in the primrose and blue. www.youtube.com/user/SLHighlight ... x1x9oPm6V0

I know everyone has a moment of genius now and then but the try he sets up for Broughton is brilliant. Can't wait to see him in the primrose and blue. www.youtube.com/user/SLHighlight ... x1x9oPm6V0

He sets him up for 3. It's the second one where he does some running himself before setting it up that I'm referring to.

Yeah, me too. The first one though aswell, that pass he plays is class.

Welcome to the Wire Stefan.
Really exciting signing.

i know steff personally he lives near me... i used to take him to training when he first signed for salford... hes a very clever player,, ,, he will fit in well with your style of play.. and i think your going to be very impressed with him..

Some Salford fans seen it coming. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=428722

Some Salford fans seen it coming. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=428722

JWP, have you changed your opinion with the form Chris Riley has shown since his return from Quins ?

Without question.

His form since he was given another opportunity when Hodgson get injured has been sensational. He's filled both the wing & fullback positions with ease and looked a natural in both positions rather than a stand in. I think the form he displayed in the last 6 weeks of the season was better than anything that he's previously shown.

It's one of those 'taking the opportunity' when it presents itself times. I felt sorry for him that the season ended when it did, it must feel like Rd 7 for him, he must be fresh as a daisy.

Ive always stuck up for Chris Riley, i like his attitude, he's always looking to improve his game which is obvious for everyone to see. Yes he's not the finished article as yet but he's improving all of the time, no player is the finished article anyway as they all make mistakes, even Billy Slater has made some right howlers but people forgive him because he's Billy The Kid..

Remember the Catalan game away when he lost the ball whilst in the act of scoring, that try would have won us the game. In my opinion that game made him as a player, he must have been devastated . Each year ive seen signs of improvement from him, his form towards the back end of this season was superb.

Ive no probs with him being in our starting 17.

Having watched Rachford for many years at salford he does show glimpses of magic when he has the ball in his hands,he gives 100% every time he pulled on the red shirt even when it was announced he was going to you lot (unlike mr myler who didnt)
He is a good kicker both on the field and at goal, he has good footwork and has a good offload if you are to play him in the centre.

His weaknesses are defending ( he cant tackle to save his life, he played in the centre a lot this season but unfortunatley he isnt big enough and is a bit of a turnstyle we conceeded lots of tries down his side of the field with Him and Smith being targeted)
He is a bit of a penality machine as well he was our most penalised player this season mostly for holding down at the play of the ball, messing around at the ruck and talking back to the referee.

Ideally you would play him at standoff but for me he isnt much of a team player, he will do some individual magic then do something erratic, I know Briers is a bit like marmite for you guys but from a outsider looking in he is a genius and if Tony Smith has dreamt up that Rachford is the long term replacement they you boys are in trouble.
Go and spend some good money on a great ozzie if i was you.

As for him playing fullback, na cant see it, we did dable with it sometimes but didnt reaily set the world on fire.

Best plan of action for you guys would be fill him up with pies and protein shakes, make him a a couple of stone heavier / bigger and stick him in the centres with a fast winger on his shoulder for him to pop passes too, he is still young and Smith might make him a better player and cut out all the erratic stuff he does...

I would say thanks for Vinnie Anderson but he was very hit and miss last season, so if you are to send anyone else over can you make sure they are a bit more consistant

I reckon Ratchford is a really good signing but he probably will come in for a fair bit of criticism and doubting from fans next year if he's a bit rough round the edges.

I would see him as a longish term project. We have had players in the past like Kohe-Love, Westwood and Bridge who have spent 3 or 4 seasons either injured or underachieving on the high expectations that surrounded them, before hitting their stride.

Ratchford is a signing to show we have the money to outbid other teams we heard others were interested in him and we thought we'd flex our financial muscles he better prove his worth.

All of the weaknesses mentioned by the optimist are things that our coaching team have already fixed in multiple players over the last couple of years. Im really looking forward to watching him progress over the next 5 years.