: Thu Mar 26, 2009 2:15 pm  

Chris Charles No1 Fan wrote:

hang on, didnt the famous mark robins goal at forest not save him. i think so. Any how back to the topic, no i dont think sacking mcrae will achieve anything. iam not a lover of him but are we not better in waiting till the end of the season if it does not improve. live in hope boys and girls

Well, Martin Edwards said not, but I think everyone knows it did. But that proves my point. United stuck with Fergie, Robins scored that goal, we won the Cup that year and it went on from there. If we'd sacked him when everyone was calling for his head, when the supporters wanted him out, it's quite possible none of our success would ever have happened.

I'm not saying that, in five years time, Salford will be beating all before them. But a bit of stability would do us a lot of favours.

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 2:17 pm  

Having read numerous posts over the past few weeks with regard to Salford’s disappointing start to Super League, I find it heartening that like myself our club has so many passionate supporters that so desperately want so see the team perform well and compete at this level. Personally I can only speak for myself when I say I want to come away at the end of a game feeling proud in the knowledge that my team have competed, performed to the best of their ability and played an entertaining brand of rugby.

I can appreciate we are new to the league and that we are only a few games into the new season but the performances thus far have left me feeling embarrassed, frustrated and totally pessimistic about coming up to speed soon at this level.

I can also understand the need to point fingers by questioning and criticising individuals within the club, and let’s face it nobody has been exempt from this. Having taken time to reflect I think you have to look at the whole picture and appreciate that the playing field is not level because:-

1. Our fan base, income and profile are too low compared with other SL clubs.
2. Our salary cap budget is considerably less than most. (400-500K) and our squad lacks the quality and depth of other clubs.
3. The development area doesn’t produce enough quality young players at the moment. (I understand we now have a big team working hard in the Schools but it will take several years to see the full benefits of this work)
4. Attracting better quality players to the club – We mainly get players the top clubs don’t want or average at best overseas players.
5. The new stadium delays have definitely caused apathy and frustration within the club. It’s absolutely vital for the future that it starts to happen this year. Unfortunately our destiny seems to be totally in the hands of Peel and Salford City Council.

I’m not looking to defend nobody or make excuses for people but these are all facts that have a negative effect on the ‘bigger picture’ if the club are to improve. These are obstacles that have to be overcome if our club is to progress to greater heights.

Is the level of criticism fair towards Shaun McRae or is it similar to expecting Ginger McCain to train a donkey to run in the Grand National? although Karl Harrison seemed to achieve this until we fell painfully at the last hurdle?

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 2:22 pm  

Well i cant say im impressed with anything about us this year, tactics,quality, the never ending saga of our stadium..the list could go on and on but i dont see how sacking our coach would help right now. Yes we are absolutely awful at present and a new guy may get more out of us but we just dont have the money to pay him off and get another bloke in. Plus just who would be available. Yes it all sucks at the moment but its a dead season to all intents and purpose i am resigned to having to wait to see just what direction,if any, we as a club go in.

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 2:26 pm  

theredshed wrote:

Having read numerous posts over the past few weeks with regard to Salford’s disappointing start to Super League, I find it heartening that like myself our club has so many passionate supporters that so desperately want so see the team perform well and compete at this level. Personally I can only speak for myself when I say I want to come away at the end of a game feeling proud in the knowledge that my team have competed, performed to the best of their ability and played an entertaining brand of rugby.

I can appreciate we are new to the league and that we are only a few games into the new season but the performances thus far have left me feeling embarrassed, frustrated and totally pessimistic about coming up to speed soon at this level.

I can also understand the need to point fingers by questioning and criticising individuals within the club, and let’s face it nobody has been exempt from this. Having taken time to reflect I think you have to look at the whole picture and appreciate that the playing field is not level because:-

1. Our fan base, income and profile are too low compared with other SL clubs.
2. Our salary cap budget is considerably less than most. (400-500K) and our squad lacks the quality and depth of other clubs.
3. The development area doesn’t produce enough quality young players at the moment. (I understand we now have a big team working hard in the Schools but it will take several years to see the full benefits of this work)
4. Attracting better quality players to the club – We mainly get players the top clubs don’t want or average at best overseas players.
5. The new stadium delays have definitely caused apathy and frustration within the club. It’s absolutely vital for the future that it starts to happen this year. Unfortunately our destiny seems to be totally in the hands of Peel and Salford City Council.

I’m not looking to defend nobody or make excuses for people but these are all facts that have a negative effect on the ‘bigger picture’ if the club are to improve. These are obstacles that have to be overcome if our club is to progress to greater heights.

Is the level of criticism fair towards Shaun McRae or is it similar to expecting Ginger McCain to train a donkey to run in the Grand National? although Karl Harrison seemed to achieve this until we fell painfully at the last hurdle?

In a nutshell . I agree entirely.

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 2:30 pm  

What was you thinking would happen this year?, salford would finish top eight.


Give it a rest and get behind your team you've got 3 years of stabillity so use this year as a learning year.
Take a look at Castleford (rest my case)

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 2:32 pm  

If neutrals who attend our games are as bored and as I am at the end then we will never attract new fans and never be able to move forward.
That is the problem here, our play is predictable and boring and has been for over two years.
This is the coaches responsibility and so he must take the blame for the state we are in.
This one year bedding in 3 year $hite just does not wash with me.
In three years time there will be no fans watching and we will be back in NL.
Something has to be done.
I would move Mcrae to Marketing as he is good at that and bring a coach in who knows how to play modern RL.

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 2:36 pm  

Prestwich Red wrote:

If neutrals who attend our games are as bored and as I am at the end then we will never attract new fans and never be able to move forward.
That is the problem here, our play is predictable and boring and has been for over two years.
This is the coaches responsibility and so he must take the blame for the state we are in.
This one year bedding in 3 year $hite just does not wash with me.
In three years time there will be no fans watching and we will be back in NL.
Something has to be done.
I would move Mcrae to Marketing as he is good at that and bring a coach in who knows how to play modern RL.

Mention that to Widnes Leigh and Halifax fans i'm sure they would love to be in your position

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 2:38 pm  

Andyhullofalad wrote:

What was you thinking would happen this year?, salford would finish top eight.


Give it a rest and get behind your team you've got 3 years of stabillity so use this year as a learning year.
Take a look at Castleford (rest my case)

No one is saying that. What we want to see is a bit of pride and effort and at present I'm afraid we are not. It is also irritating when we all seem to know what the problems are and our head coach doesn't.

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 2:50 pm  

Red Willow wrote:

The biggest thngs are:
Shaun needs to make some tough calls and dropping a couple of players is a start.

If Mcrae did this he might actually get a bit of respect from the fans/players however everyone knows it will be the same old week after week and he won't make any changes.

And to everyone saying we've got 3 years, don't the new franchise applications go in during the 2011 season? So we've only got this year and next year as full seasons to be judged on. On field performance is part of the criteria in case people have forgotten.

Fungus The Muffin Man wrote:

My question is if it could work who would take over? Theres no one of real quality who would 1- take the job, 2 - we could afford.

Matt Calland is the man. You heard it here first.

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 3:45 pm  

Andyhullofalad wrote:

What was you thinking would happen this year?, salford would finish top eight.


Give it a rest and get behind your team you've got 3 years of stabillity so use this year as a learning year.
Take a look at Castleford (rest my case)

Cas were a lot better than us at this same stage last years - as I recall they beat Leeds and Saints early on in the season so you cannot compare the 2 clubs mate