View from the Commentary box - Salford Red Devil’s

Salford Red Devil’s got back to winning ways with a hard fought victory against St Helens.

Both sides were under strength due to injuries to Salford players and St Helens saving their players for their derby next week with Wigan but despite that it proved to be a cracking contest.

Salford made plenty of errors in the 1st 30 minutes of the game but great defence and composure at big times in the game kept Salford in touch with St Helens.

Pauli Pauli was Salford’s 1st try scorer of the evening showing he has that ability to run over players just like in the Challenge Cup final to score. With injuries hurting Ian Watsons squad this allowed Pauli to play big minutes in the game and remained dangerous throughout.

He played his part in Salford’s winning try drawing the Saints defenders towards him then offloading to allow Salford to make space for Krisnan Inu to dive over in the corner much to the delight of the Salford fans watching at home.

The bad news is the big man substained a shoulder injury, this is potentially bad news for Salford and the player, we hope he recovers soon and continues his fine form for the rest of 2020 and beyond.

Big players do great things that change games. Tyrone McCarthy ball steal with 5 minutes to go and Dan Sarginson multiple ball catching on his own line in traffic AND the last ditch tackle at the end of the game the highlight. If you have a team that will run it’s blood to water and players who under pressure do The right things then you have a team who can go to the next level and beyond.

This team thrive of the arm wrestle against other teams. It seems with their belief growing after every success and their granit chin as a team they fear nobody.

 Ian Watson after the final hooter announced he is to stay at Salford till 2022.

After the heartbreak of the Challenge Cup news of Wattos short term future secured will be just the tonic for celebrating Reds.

Ian was full of respect for how Hull FC had dealt with his approach but felt that it wasn’t the right time with Corona crisis still in full flow and to uproot his family. This made his mind up not to abandon his plans for Salford and continue his journey with the club.

The club are now looking how to match Wattos ambition and there are 2 important dates and a recent important announcement ahead which may effect how well the club can do this.
Monday 3rd of November Salford Red Devil’s season tickets go on sale, this was confirmed by Director Paul King on Twitter.
This is a opportunity for Salford fans to buy season tickets to put much needed revenue Into the club.Ian Watson regularly talks about how the revenue streams are important for clubs like Salford. A increase in Season ticket sales would allow Ian and the club to retain his better players and bring new players in.

With Corona virus decimating local economies and causing a knock on effect people losing jobs it will be interesting to see the payment options open to the fans for season tickets to make it affordable.
November the 9th the Conservative government have agreed to debate the possibility of fans being allowed back into Sports venues for 2021.
With the process of testing crowd management lasting months and possibly reduce capacity at the end of it clubs like Salford will be looking on with interest at the pilot evens when they take place, if they are successful and when crowds be back in stadiums.
Hopefully when the rugby league season starts in 2021 infection rates will be low, clubs with government approval will have processes in place to allow games to be played with a crowd present.
The recent announcement of anti-bodies regarding Corona virus dropping by 25% in people tested who have had the virus between June and September.I am no scientist or Corona virus expert but this tells me when a vaccine comes it might be a booster shot to keep our immune system ready to fight the virus rather than the golden bullet so life can go back to normal.Life and the economy must go on and to a degree this might be the new “normal” life  we all wondered about in February when the virus 1st appeared.
There will be lots of twists and turns to come regarding the Corona virus over the winter. My advice would be to stay safe best you can, wash your hands and keep your distance.

I’m glad Watto has come out and told us about his future plans, this kills dead any anxiety. A great coach, a fantastic leadership group , a group of players who are ambitious who style of play make you want to watch.

This team and Watto can reaily reach for the stars now, we will see how it all plays out but it’s no moonshot now. Salford fans of all ages now genuine believe that we have all our ducks in a line and they are beginning to quack.

A lot of hard work from Ian Watson, Ian Blease, Paul King and Paul Trainor behind the scenes has married up well with the efforts from Ian Watson and his staff behind the scenes  to mold this beautiful project we are currently experiencing at Salford.

Lee Mossop who was also a tower of strength in the pack against St Helens celebrates his rugby league testimonial this year. We are due to speak to him on the Devil in the Detail and the Sportszone  this week and it will be facinating what he has to say about how rugby league has changed during his time playing. 

He has also produced a testimonial shirt which looks a bit like a classic Salford shirt from the 1990s which looks amazing at a great price 

Follow the link below to buy one Lee Mossop Testimonial shirt

Other objects available to purchase is this fantastic picture produced by Classic Sport prints.

This picture is a thing of beauty which plots the moves from Greg Johnson’s million pound miracle try back in 2016.

You can purchase a copy of this by follow the link below.Greg Johnsons Million pound miracle picture
At the Devil in the Detail we are celebrating our 300th episode by giving away a free one, if you want to be in with a chance of winning it follow the link below and join the free competition free prize draw enter here 

Salford were to face Warrington on Friday after 3 tough games, Due to the success in the Challenge Cup Salford now have a back log of games and injures and have decided to forfeit this match.
With a posibility of 10 games over 39 day period before last night’s encounter Ian Watson and his squad will be tested to the maximum both physical and mentally with the games coming thick and fast
With stories circulating about the Super League curtailing the regular season for a extended playoff system taking its place this may allow Watsons men a opportunity to get back in the mix for another grandfinal appearance.
With this years final to be held at KC stadium, Ian Watson if the stars align may end up going to Hull at the end of the season after all 
You can hear Rob on the Sportszone on Salford City radio every Tuesday 7pm or listen back here 
sportszone Salford city radio

Or tune into the Devil in the Detail Salford Red Devil’s independent fan podcast weekly
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Robert Parkinson

Action Pictures by Steve McCormick