Competed well overall against last season's semi finalist. Few things I took from the game:

- They've got the best player in the league,which made a massive difference.
- Errors at bad times cost us (Charnley knock on)
-Played within ourselves for the most part. Seemed to throw the ball a bit more at 18-4 down, when it looked like the game was over. Got the penalty try then went back to one-up rugby when it seemed we had momentum.
- O'brien had a stinker.
- Need to learn how to get the best out of Lam. Needed to get the ball to him as much as possible, but got too obvious and easy to read in the second half.
- Ipape looked like he was carrying an injury. Ankle strapped and not his usual self, hopefully not too serious.
- Missing another big middle, hopefully Ava can get up to match fitness sooner rather than later.

All that being said, if the ref correctly calls a Salford knock on in half way around the 30 minute mark, we may have 2 points on the board now. We follow this up with two difficult away games but, bold prediction time, I think we'll win one of them (providing we have a fit squad)

Last season Charnley never looked as if he felt part of the team, which was understandable as he came in late to an established winning team, this season he looks more settled and happier having been here from the start and good pre season, bonding sessions etc

I’d suggested we move him due to the fact that that this current team is crying out for some width and stretching teams. Being a dominant player he would demand the ball. O Brien hasn’t done anything in 3 games to suggest Friday was just an off night.
O’Brien better at FB than 6 no question, an in turn Reynolds would come in at HB

Hardaker can demand the ball on both sides from FB, I agree about O’Brien, so just drop him and play Reynolds. For me we lacked width as everything of note was going through Lam but Salford quickly grasped that and loaded the side he was on with defenders, preventing any width.

Maybe I’m being a tad harsh on Chamberlin wanting him swapping out and that was the point I was trying to make. We are when all said and done only 2 friendlies and 1 game in.
We knew we was losing Nene early on but the impact of Ferguson leaving so late has put even more pressure on Chamberlin to perform without a truly class act at the side of him

A word on Charnley, why did he cut inside towards the defender rather than backing himself to beat him on the outside?