THE Super League season is just around the corner. Salford Devils face reigning champions Wigan Warriors in their opening game on the 11th February at the AJ Bell stadium. Quays’ Andrew Riley looks at the Devils chances against arguably the best team in the competition…
Where to start with Salford?
2016 was yet another season where the club failed to live up to its billing, at least from the outside. Look past the final finishing position though, and the team should have finished in a playoff place, and been fighting for a place at Old Trafford.
With the spine of that squad still intact, head coach Ian Watson is rightly bullish about his preparations for the year ahead;
“Everything we’ve asked the lads to do in preseason, they’ve done. Apart from injuries, it’s been perfect.
We will miss Weller Hauraki, Josh Jones and Ben Murdoch-Masila, we are a tight-knit squad and all it means is that there is now a chance for somebody to step in and prove themselves. This is what we are looking for the lads to do. There is a starting spot free and a now is the chance for someone to take it.”
Watson also has Logan Tomkins to come back into his squad once fully fit.
If the display against an almost full strength Hull FC is anything to go by, Salford fans can expect a tough, grinding display from whatever 19 Watson puts out.
Club CEO Ian Blease is keen to get students on board with the club, and is looking to work with the union to get discounted tickets, and if there is enough interest, possibly even transport, to home games this season.
Club captain, stand-off, Michael Dobson is rearing to go, especially as the opening game sees him go up against one of his former clubs.
“We have to play them at some point, and as they have the World Club Challenge game the week after, so hopefully, they’ll have one eye on that game.”
Recent Comments