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Devil In The Detail SRD · Building on a brilliant performance as the Wolves come to town   In recent weeks I’ve not been very complimentary on the weather but this evening wasn’t bad at all just before kick off. Sunshine and pleasant temperatures awaited the two sides and as ever the pitch looked a sight to behold. Salford coach Richard Marshall had mentioned his injury problems in the pre-match press conference and add to that the suspensions of Dan Sarginson and Pauli Pauli the Red Devils were once again forced into changes to their side. Marshall shuffled his cards accordingly with Chris Atkin starting at scrum half, Declan Patton made the bench. Elijah Taylor stepped in at hooker with Greg Burke moving to loose forward. Oliver Roberts returned to the side in the second row and Sam Luckley awaited his Salford debut off the bench. The Geordie lad had waited patiently for his big chance. Warrington Wolves arrived full of confidence on the back of last weekends comprehensive victory

Devil In The Detail SRD · Building on a brilliant performance as the Wolves come to town   Salford v Warrington. This fixture has been one of the most anticipated by Salford supporters over recent years. A healthy rivalry has developed and the atmosphere at both the AJ Bell Stadium and the Halliwell Jones Stadium is always electric when the two sides lock horns. Before the two clubs moved to their new stadiums their were some pretty memorable matches at the old Willows ground and Wilderspool. A big Salford win on good Friday 2005 was christened Black Friday by Wolves coach and club stalwart Paul Cullen. In 2002 Salford won at Wilderspool 2-22 in the penultimate match of the season. On a memorable night on the terraces the Salford faithful went crazy as Alan Hunte ran the length of the field to score a super try. Sadly for Salford they were relegated a week later after a miserable defeat at home to Castleford. The Wolves survived relegation that year by the skin of there teeth. For th

Devil In The Detail SRD · Test Event, Tv Trial and Wigan at home   After four hundred and thirty five days without home supporters Salford Red Devils finally had their loyal band of followers back in the stadium for the visit of Wigan Warriors. Ironically the match all those months ago in 2020 was this fixture, Salford stormed back to win that 18-14. After a disappointing start to the season the Red Devils were looking for a big performance to kick start their campaign under coach Richard Marshall. Salford made changes to their starting lineup once again. With Dan Sarginson suspended for three matches Morgan Escare started at full back. Harvey Livett replaced Matty Costello in the centres. With Kevin Brown and Andy Ackers picking up injuries in Monday’s defeat at St.Helens Declan Patton and Danny Addy stepped in at scrum half and hooker respectively. With James Greenwood missing Pauli Pauli was promoted off the bench to a starting second row place. Jack Wells and Darcy Lussick made t

Devil In The Detail SRD · Richard Marshall pre march press conference v Wigan   Salford v Wigan. Cast your mind back to well over twelve months ago and the last time crowds were permitted at the AJ Bell Stadium Salford produced a memorable fight back to defeat Wigan 18-14. It was Kevin Brown’s try that clinched victory. Shortly after the season was suspended until well into the summer months. Upon its resumption the matches were played behind closed doors. With Salford’s loyal band of supporters returning this Saturday it seems quite ironic that once again Wigan are the visitors. Both sides played on Monday. Salford were soundly beat at St.Helens, Richard Marshall’s side put up a good fight for an hour before the finely tuned Saints put the game to bed. The disappointing aspect for the Red Devils was the lack of creativity in attack. Don’t get me wrong the defence they were playing against was nothing sort of superb. Saints’s defence has been water tight so far in 2021 and they’ve no

Devil In The Detail SRD · 1991 Old Trafford Memories - Steve Kerry & Martin Birkett   After forty one years of disappointments in this fixture Salford arrived in St Helens on the back of a much improved performance last weekend in the Challenge Cup. That game may have ended in defeat but Richard Marshall’s side showed a gritty  determination to stay in the arm wrestle working their socks off for the full eighty minutes. Lee Mossop’s try in the final moments must give the Red Devils of 2021 renewed confidence going into tonight’s fixture.  When you’ve not beaten a team for so long in a certain fixture the expectation isn’t really there so tonight Salford could perhaps play with the shackles off. Super League is a pressure competition week in week out and with a home match against Wigan coming up on Saturday tonight’s game would be a real test of resolve. The month of May has seen many hours of miserable rainfall but the weather had took a turn in the right direction in time for ki

Devil In The Detail SRD · 1991 Old Trafford Memories - Steve "Rammy" Ramsbottom   In recent weeks many people up and down the country have been gripped by the BBC Drama Line Of Duty. The last time Salford beat St.Helens in the Merseyside town The Professionals was the popular action programme on the television. Bodie and Doyle with their leather jackets and fast cars kept the public safe under the command of Mr Cowley. If Salford are to get a result on Monday evening Richard Marshall is going to have to come up with a professional style plan in what looks a daunting mission. Forty one years have passed since 12th January 1980 when Salford beat Saints at Knowsley Road 17-18. The world is a totally different place but how much has actually changed in the sport of Rugby League?  It’s fair to say we’ve seen plenty of rule changes and the sport is now played over different months of the year. However since 1980 just nine teams have lifted the top flight League Title and in the s

Devil In The Detail SRD · Remaining focused as challenge cup semi looms   It was a really wet and miserable day at Headingley prior to kick off. It certainly didn’t feel like the month of May but the rain eased off just before the start of the match.  Salford coach Richard Marshall made a few subtle changes. Dan Sarginson returned from injury to replace Elliot Kear at fullback. Pauli Pauli and Elijah Taylor started in the pack with Oliver Roberts and Josh Johnson missing out. Castleford started the game as favourites and in the opening exchanges it was easy to see why. Salford made early mistakes losing possession on a number of occasions which handed the impetus to the Tigers. The Red Devils were put under a lot of pressure but defended their line tremendously, repelling every attack thrown at them. The games first try came from Salford centre Harvey Livett who also added the conversion. A second try nearly followed but Danny Addy lost the ball trying to burrow his way over the try

Devil In The Detail SRD · Sportszone 13th April Salford City Radio  Salford Red Devil’s suffered defeat in their Challenge cup dress rehearsal last weekend against Castleford Tigers. A mixture of mistakes and penalties gave The Tigers possession and territorial advantage and left Salford licking their wounds. Coach Richard Marshall was unhappy with some refereeing during the game, he accepts that players will make errors if they are being creative in games but still bemoans that sometimes dumb play can offset any advantages created by good play. Salford face Castleford again this weekend in Yorkshire, it will be a big test for last years Challenge Cup runners up. Cup to reverse the result from last weekend. With Covid restrictions being reduced a crowd at the Challenge Cup final this year remains likely, let’s hope the Salford fans can take this opportunity to walk down Wembley way this year. Swinton Lions suffered defeat against Widnes Vikings in the Championship. Stuart Littler’s m

Devil In The Detail SRD · Remaining focused as challenge cup semi looms The Rugby League Challenge Cup is steeped in history with both Salford and Castleford having a fantastic tradition in the competition. Salford’s only Cup triumph came in 1938 when they beat Barrow 7-4. The Red Devils have been runners up on seven occasions including the 1969 Final they lost against Castleford 11-6. Castleford have won the cup on four occasions, their last success came in 1986 when they beat Hull Kingston Rovers 15-14 in a pulsating Wembley Final. Since then they’ve been to the final twice and ended up runners up to Wigan in 1992 and were also beaten in 2014 against Leeds at the new Wembley.  Salford and their supporters had waited patiently for fifty one years to see their side reach Rugby League’s show piece final. Even through the 1970s when the team was at its strongest the Cup Final always seemed to get away leaving Salford as the fall guys. On big occasions players would be missing through