Salford Red Devils head coach Paul Rowley has revealed his ambitions ahead of the start of the new Super League season, vowing for his side to defy expectations.
The Red Devils begin their latest league campaign away to Leigh Leopards on Friday 17 February, as Salford prepare to embark on a momentous 150th anniversary year.
Paul Rowley’s side suffered heartbreak in Super League semi-finals last season, controversially falling to a 19-12 loss against St Helens, who reached the Grand Final for a fourth successive year.
Salford began their pre-season preparations on Sunday, retaining the Peter Smethurst Memorial Trophy with a 26-22 victory over Swinton Lions.
The Red Devils are back in action on Sunday 5th February, continuing preparations for the new season against Wigan Warriors in a testimonial match for Sam Powell.
A massive thank you to @SalfordUni for hosting our annual Media Day!
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— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) January 20, 2023
As the start of the new Super League campaign looms, head coach Paul Rowley has outlined his ambitions for the Red Devils. He said: “Same as always: To overachieve. I won’t pin it down as a position number in the league because then you set yourself up for failure.
“We’ll try and exceed where we sit on that ladder. I think a realistic target, if you want to pin me down would be that middle four bracket of those twelve teams. Get within that middle four and then take it from there.”
Rowley is also hopeful that the disappointment of the last campaign will motivate the Red Devils, who have made several exciting additions to their squad during the off-season.
He continued: “Coming so close last season, that was painful, so you would hope that it relights the fire and it makes them hungry to have another crack at it because they’ve got belief.
“I think one thing we can emulate from last year was the standards in the club and the environment is quite good, and that’s player led as well so there’s a lot of empowerment.
“There’s a lot of good players, we’ve got a good group so I would hope that their hunger isn’t a problem, and if it is then we’ve got the wrong group.”
After kicking off their season away to Leigh Leopards, the Red Devils play their first home match of the 2023 campaign at the AJ Bell Stadium on Thursday 23rd February against Hull KR.
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