Clueless!

Pros: He'll make you plenty tackles and he's an experienced head.

Cons: He's very slow and spends a lot of time out injured.

From what I can remember he has had one good game in attack in the whole time he was at Wigan, think it was either against Leeds or Saints, he got sky MOM and that was the best ever game he played for Wigan. I'd go as far as saying he is the worst attacker I have ever seen at Wigan, our play used to die 99% of the time when the ball hit him, and if he did pass the ball you would hear everyone in the crowd "bloody hell Bailey passed" so expect nothing from him in attack. However....

In defence he used to be superb. Typical solid 2nd row who would tackle anything that moved. But recently age has caught up with him and he's had his fair share of injurys and his defence isnt what it used to be. I think the last game he played for Wigan was against Saints at home and Leon Pryce just strolled past him like he wasnt there - 2 years ago he would have had him on his and we might have won that game.

Other than those 2 obvious playing attributes he is a great man and will do your club behind the scenes alot more good than he would bad. All the younger players at Wigan couldnt speak highly enough of him & he is a great team player. I just think he's not worth a quota spot/playing contract at this stage in his career. He would make a fantastic academy coach one day - he has been there done that in regards to his playing career but I wish him well at Salford and hope when he leaves you, you are in as good a position as we are now.

I liked Bailey. Solid and will never let you down. Best wishes to him at Salford (along with Feka)

solid, will tackle his heart out, got the spot with us based in an amazing try in SOO IIRC.

Had not much pace when he played for Aus, had even less by the time he came to us, and with a catalogue of injuries whilst with us I suspect he wont have any pace left at all.

Just pray he isnt your new strike centre

As has been said; he isn't a strike player and don't be surprised if he doesn't make many breaks. His pace and susceptibility to injury are what you would expect from a 30+ year old forward who has been a tackling machine.

That said, his leadership and organisation skills in defence will really help. He's a great example to young players and expect them to learn a lot from him. He's also a really nice bloke and as genuine as you could hope to meet.

I wish him and Feka all the best at Salford (except when they play us!)

.........they could have signed Joel Monaghan, and acheived the same result.

Joking aside, Bailey will provide you with stability and experience when the going gets tough.......and he isn't a dog botherer.

Solid player, think he will prove to be a good signing for Salford.

Isnt his brother playing in Superleague in 2011?

Yes,
I think he signed for Quins.

Thought i had dreamt this for a second!

I saw him very briefly last year and he looked a very good player indeed.

Chris Bailey?

Were we not linked with him a few years back?

Bails' will bring a wealth of experience and graft to your side, and that is something a team like Salford will need (no disrespect intended)

Wouldnt be surprised to see him as your captain next season.. he wont be an attacking second rower, but he will get through endless amounts of tackles and get your line organised. It was regulary said how much of an influence he was at Wigan by the younger players aswel.

I wouldn't worry about signing Bailey in isolation, but I would be concerned about the number of players you have signed who are 30+ who may be after one last payday.

On the plus side Patten could be a real star signing for you.

You have a chance of pushing for 8th spot, conversely you could also really struggle if McRae can't motivate the 30+ brigade.

Thanks for the comments guys.

I still have a feeling we're wasting a quota spot, but if he can bring in some new ideas on defensive patterns and improve the line then he should prove a useful signing. Like you say, he's also helped develop your younger players, and look how good Liam Farrell has become.

I'd be worried about the 30+ issue, if we didn't have good young players coming through. Salford's real issue the McRae factor!! I have serious issues about his ability to motivate any group players. However, having new/better players, two new assistant coaches and replacing Andy Haigh could motivate McRae a LOT more, which should rub off on the players.

I honestly can't understand why people obsess over someone being "world class" or "setting the world on fire".

A team sport needs all types and Phil Bailey is, imo, an excellent signing for Salford.