70 replies to this topic

[MikeTommo]

There was never 5.3k there tonight. Plenty more than that, not sure who comes up with these figures! Plenty of effort from Salford tonight but very much look like a team thrown together at the last minute. Last 20 minutes as you would expect, we tired from non stop defending and Wigan ran riot. Couldn't get near Tomkins. Wigan win built around a dominant pack allowing Green & Smith to pick holes and passes. Lots of heart and desire on show from Salford but ultimately Wigan were comfortable winners and other than a couple of chances in the 1st half Wigan weren't in any trouble. Young Jack Murphy had a night to forget unfortunately. Will be a long season but the only way is up from here.

[JohnM]

Might be a long season but a promising one. Thus was just the opening game and past perfirmance is not an indicator.

[Padge]

The important thing for Salford tonight was that they put a team on the pitch, and one man out for a walk on the pitch was hailed as a hero.

Ignore the score-line, its the effort put into getting a team on the pitch to suffer it which was important.

Over the next few weeks the Salford team will change, improve and surprise the odd team, they'll struggle but the emphasis this season isn't on being world beaters but being on an awareness mission.

[amh]

hear hear Padge

[tonyXIII]

As usual, Padge gives an astute statement of the situation.

The score is irrelevant. Wigan outplayed us, but we didn't give up in the way we have in the past. At 30-0 with about 20 minutes left, you would be forgiven for expecting a 50-point drubbing. It didn't happen because Salford kept chasing and kept tackling right to the end. Sure, the defence missed some tackles during the game (our inexperienced backs bought too many dummies off Tomkins and Smith) but they made a hell of a lot more.

For those who think Wigan are "weaker", I suggest you check out their back line. All experienced SL players. They might be a bit lighter up front, but as long as O'Loughlin is there, shepherding them round the park, they will be more than a match for most.

I know reported crowd figures have been a source of controversy and there isn't much point in disputing them, but I thought the ground looked more than half full. The Wigan end was chocker, the Salford end not quite full, the East Stand did look a bit 'thin' (but still about half) and the West Stand certainly felt well over half full. I guessed about 7,000, but hey ho! We had a team and a game which was certainly more entertaining than anything we're likely to see on BBC this weekend.
What's not to be happy about?

Edited by tonyXIII, 02 February 2013 - 11:14 AM.

[Exiled Wiganer]

Tony, there is a lot to be happy and excited about. I can't imagine how exciting it must be to replace Simms with Graham Lowe. Didn't Jack Gibson say that winning starts in the front office? Salford are set very fair indeed. I hope agent Murphy shows his true colours in the weeks ahead, as he can play.

[JohnM]

"the East Stand did look a bit 'thin'"


That's the stand for me, next time I go!

[Red Willow]

Wigan didn't look weak, very experienced back line. The only aspect to disappoint was Tomkins throwing himself to the floor only to be ignored by Childs ( who seemed to be in fancy dress in a red and blue clown top) and the chatted back resulting in penalty to Salford. As for Salford the loanees and new faces need time to settle but Murphy was awful and I don't see him as an improvement on Evalds who he replaced. Mcgoldrick looked poor hope this is just lack of fitness or training. Danny Williams poor in defence. Rhys Williams looked overweight and unfit not sure what Warrington have allowed to happen. The big bonus was Fages standing up to the rough handling dished out by Wigan which on the whole was legal apart from the awful "tackle" by O'Loughlin. The fact Salford managed to put out a team at all is amazing, things can only improve.

[shrek]

Murphy was awfu

He didn't have the best night, lot of pressure on him last night, he certainly got a lot of attention from his Wigan teammates!

Hope he beds down and finds some form, certainly has potential.

[Futtocks]

Hard to glean much from this match. Salford are at the bottom, but looking to make improvements, which they will. Wigan looked good, but weren't really tested enough for anyone to say how they'll compete with the stronger clubs.

[hindle xiii]

http://www.youtube.c...p8oheT6XCtjPf2A