I think its a good time to play Salford as they have a lot of new players who will take time to gel. That said I think they have recruited very well and they look to have some real size and aggression in their pack. This is a concern as IMHO we're lacking exactly what they have at this moment in time.

Should be a cracking game and hopefully a Wakey win but this will not be an easy game as its a much improved Salford side from the last time we played them.

a seemingly sensible analysis of the situation and yet deep down you know, just know we are a step away from disaster

Don't think we lack aggression and we're not a small pack by any means. Some of the hits the likes of Wilkes, Hendo and Stosic put in on Friday were as hard as any you will see in any game. Salford looked vulnerable out wide and this for me should be exploited, Atkins has power, Gleeson has footwork, Halley (if fit) has speed, Blanch has power and speed, Martin has good hands, if we get the ball out to the flanks I'm pretty sure we could be in for an entertaining game.

lets hope and pray salford dont get a man binned or sent off, a sure fire trigger for us to start driving it up the middle

Completely agree with you re they look vulnerable out wide. Not so sure I agree with you re agression/small pack.

For me we urgently need at least one, ideally two big aggressive front rowers/forwards. Stosic is not the biggest although does look like a grafter. Hendo isn't guranteed a starting 17 spot when everyone is fit. Scully can prop but he is injury prone and that coupled with his discipline tendancies you never know how many games you're going to get out of him.

That puts far too much pressure on Wilkes and Stosic for me. I know Snitch can prop but I was of the understanding we planned to use him as a 2nd rower. If one of them gets injured then what? Leaves us very short IMHO.

Fergy, Pitts and Hendo aren't very big for back rowers and JD and Grix are still new to their new forward positions and again, not the biggest to be fair.

I'm not saying we lack fight or commitment in the pack, just size, power, presence and I suppose some natural aggression.

If we are going to compete for a top 8 place I feel this could be our downfall.

Also, no point having class half backs if the forward foundations aren't laid. The best half backs in the world can't play behind a pack that lacks go forward.

Dewsbury's about 8 miles from Normy I think!

Speaking of that, nobody heard the same rumour as me? (Load of old knackers I am sure though).

Not sure I agree with the bit about the pack - don't foger the likes of Leuali and Stapleton didn't rip it up every week in the lower division. And other than a short spell in Saturdays game they struggled to bully or dominate a very average looking Celtic pack - infact at the moment there is only really Ryan O'Hara that looks up to speed for them. Salford need to find some real improvement in a very short space of time, as you rightly point out they need to gel - something that can take weeks rather days.

i take it by that you have heard brough is on his way

don't know what bus hit Dale Ferguson but he's got a corking black eye, bit like chi chi the panda