... the quality of a team's pre-season preparation, including the change of personnel, quality of training and every other dynamic involved in pre-season work, is that it's only relative to that of other teams. Today's performance perhaps tells me that KR have prepared better than us. This conceivably means that so have every other team. So, take note Reds; you have 2 weeks to improve!

yeah agree with that mate, we have improved in this pre season, but so have the other teams, still leaving the gap between us and them.

Maybe... But it's not like the players we have are incapable of redressing the balance. We have such an unfamiliar squad who could really do with syncronising asap. Is two weeks long enough to do this? Are they that out of sync in the first place? I know if it was me, I'd be bending over backwards to ensure that I was performing to the required standard come Feb 13th.

cashmere sent off so thats him out for start of the season mouthing to the ref

And another thing, something tells me that Justin Morgan won't be all that pleased with the result and the one-sidedness (is that a word?) of the contest. He'll have a hell of a job finding area's of KR's game to work on from this. Let alone the arrogance that could sneak into the KR player's heads. Whereas McRae has a far easier job... Presuming the players actually listen to him. Perhaps a time for the likes of Patten and Holdsworth to step up and make their voices heard.

Wish I was a fly on the wall over the next couple of weeks.

Does it work like that in RL? Automatic suspension and whatnot?

Few things.

cause ray got sent off late in the match he may struggle to get sending of sufficient as he played most of the game.

Preperation in my opinion as been quite poor, i was told by one of the players we had the longest break in the off season than any other team?WTF. And the Aussies kiwis etc had longer still, although they are so called 'assigned' to a NRL club who would have been monitoring them? with all the new players joining we should of started earlier than every one else so we can have longer to gel.

These questions need to be put to coaching staff. When is the next forever reds? can we get SM and staff in?

As for being a fly on the wall in dressing room i do not thin SM has got a rollicking in him!

Sorry for my little rant but i had high expectations for this season and im now slightly concerned.

Rant over!

The problem seems to be the usual one............

Fans optimistic and enthusiastic, Team battered!

Can't wait for the new season, Let the torment begin!

Hey, it's understandable. You're a long suffering Salford fan and like most of us, probably scared witless that we're in for another long season despite the hype.

Assuming that we did have the longest break in Super League, we can't be sure that this is a bad thing. It could be argued that we may just peak a little later than other teams which could actually be to our advantage. We may also benefit from not suffering premature fatigue, say, two thirds of the way through the season. Of course, a lack of training, in terms of quantity, could equally be a bad thing. Best wait and see on that front.

As for SM, perhaps he's not. But I reckon you'll find that none of the great coaches have either. (Not suggesting SM is a great coach by the way.) Have a read of Wayne bennett's "Don't Let the Music Die Inside You" (I think that's what it's called) and you'll see what I mean.

For me, following a game like today, I'd be having a look at myself and questioning what I didn't do to help the team. Sure, remain confident that I can change it but questioning all the same. I think Luke Patten said the other week that he's his own biggest critic. Great attitude! I'm sure with blokes like him in the dressing room and on the training pitch we'll improve.

Anyway, this is a fans froum not a sport psych forum. I'm getting back in my cave.

Fickle fans forget things fast.

Try that after a few Stellas.

If the team go out and play a blinder in Cardiff all will be forgotten until the next loss, where I comfortably predict -

1. McRae can't coach/can't motivate/has no respect/needs his tache back/Can't coach because he's fat etc
2. Players are too old/too young/Not motivated/Played out of position
3. Ratchford should be stand-off, winger, kicker, playmaker, hero, and President
4. That Steve Simms is as Elusive as a Nuns fart, it must be his fault.
5. John from Salford will dust-off his telephone, so things must be bad.
6. He never came, Smithy! Do you here me! It's your fault!
7. John Wilkinson somehow, in my weird dreams, must be to blame. After all, he does look like a jolly Nosfaratu...

Who is Stella and why have they all the same name?