Houghton will make a huge difference but only in the eyes of Grix

Can only see a defeat on Sunday but hopefully with the effort shown in the last couple of games.

I cannot understand this endless criticism of Houghton. Yeshe is not James Roby but many coaches wiser than us play him for reasons some of which we don’t see. The ones I see are tackling, game management, kicking, less so his running now. I do agree he needs to be spelled in games and not play when he carries more than just the regular niggles

Lafai and Macdonald missing for Salford is big.

Still expecting a defeat, our record at Salfords new ground is pretty shocking if I remember

The problem is Houghton is still carrying injuries
If Houghton insists he is fit then Grix will play him.
It should be the Physio who declares him fit not Houghton himself

Houghton would be fine if played in shorter stints ut grix persists in flogging him for 80 minutes when he's clearly not up to it

Houghton now telling the physio what to do.

Any body else got a feeling Grix will go with Houghton and Smith seeing as Cartwright and Myler extended Balmforths contract….part of me hopes he does then they can get rid of him.

Kirby debut. Never seen him play. What's he like?

Starting XIII: Moy; Briscoe, Tuimavave, Sutcliffe, Martin; Trueman, Reynolds; Ese’ese, Houghton, Aydin; Lane, Kirby; Sao.

Interchange: Fash, Gardiner, Balmforth, Chan

I've seen him a few times. He's not the biggest and is still very young. But he is weirdly strong, defends well and runs good lines. I didn't think he'd feature this year but obviously the coaches see something in him.

Has kay even featured in a 21 man squad previously?

He’l flog him for 80mins then blame Balmforth for something.