Quote: sandaltrinityfan "Dr Who is clearly going to put lots of money into the Reds and try and buy a team.
I honestly don't know if this is good or bad for the game. I suppose great if your a Salford fan but another hump in the uneven playing field if your a fan of a club wich is not rolling in money.
I hope for the sake of the Salford fans that Dr Who is better than our supposed benefactor of some 10 or so years ago.....'"
What is the magic ingredient - money / time / knowledge??? I think the reality is all 3 and that means a certain amount of patience is required and expectations need to be kept under control.
Leeds had money for donkeys years, but repeatedly failed at everything. Then they had glimpses until, finally, they invested in a talented bunch of young kids and they are still reaping that reward today.
Hudds have had money and have, as yet, not hit the big time - with a mostly mercenary squad, although there are one or two home grown gems in there.
Wire are the ones to do well with money - their big moment was signing Morley IMO. I know they had other superstars fleetingly, but Morley was the key man - a man who any RL player would love to be associated with. They have also invested heavily in youth and this helps support some of their rather ageing squad.
Hull are trying to replicate the Morley ideal with Ellis - and if they can get him fit then, once again, they have a player who any RL player would love to play alongside - but there is clearly a big question mark just now as to whether this gamble will pay off and, even with Ellis, the rest of the squad seems to lack X-factor appeal.
So what about Salford? Plus - 1 They've got money; 2 they've got Graham Lowe. If they bring in the right coach and don't just say 'win the SL next year at all costs' then they have a chance, but they must invest from the ground up and not expect to be able to push aside established clubs at a whim - it will not work and it shows lack of respect to fellow competitors.
By all means sign some high profile players and generally improve the quality of the playing staff, but invest in youth and work with the people in and around the club where possible - they must love it already to still be there after what has gone on.
Let me put it this way - if an investor came to us now and said they would put £300k in each year from today I would want to see £100k put in the first team; £100k put in the back office / facilities / supporter experience and £100k into youth development / retention. Simply blowing the lot on the next big overseas signing would be pointless IMO.
Good luck to them!
