I wouldn't bring Rathchford into the squad for next week, I would bring Turner onto the bench and possibly stick him on for Swain, the thing is we cannot afford not to have Paul in the squad, he came on tonight and took control of everything we did. I think playing Alker and Paul interchanging is working fairly well but, but I think we need to give Smith a chance at Stand off, he hasn't performed brilliantly at the moment. But let's give him a bit of time to prove himself. I don't think we can put that much pressure on two young lads like Myler and Ratchford. I also don't think it is fair on Ratchford now, people haven't meant to, but have put him under alot of pressure. Due to people being so adimant he needs to be given a chance, he has to come into the squad and play well, maybe give him a run-out on the wing. But I would stick with Smith at 6 for another couple of weeks.

What i fought was worrying tonight was seeing alker kicking alot on the 5th...instead of myler or smith.All though he did kick a good 40/20..of which was then wasted on the 1st tackle!!ahh well things will improve im sure
ps...someone pls show john wilshire this week another area to aim for from the restart as it is producing the biggest cheer of games lately when his kicks always fall in exactly the same bloody place!!

Turner went off just before halftime of your reserve team game today and as for Ratchford he was average.

Speaking of which I have noticed that it has become Salford tradition in the last few years that on the very rare occasions we kick a 40/20, we invariably knock-on on the 1st tackle.

I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing from a midfield kick because if you kick from dummy half you can get it away quicker, kick from further down the pitch, and generally don't get a runner putting pressure on you. I'll be more concerned if our halves aren't getting involved in kicks if attacking areas .. if we get into attacking areas.

Come on, we've now had 40/20s in successive games - both kicked by Alker - could it be a plan? But you're right in that we then give away the advantage cheaply

I think most teams have a player that kicks restarts to the same spot.


It's just a lot more obvious with us because we have soooo many restarts?!

I love how people get so wound up over him kicking to the same spot. Some people seem to think it's of the utmost tactical importance that he kick to another player on the restarts. There's other more important areas of our game that we need to be focusing on improving rather than the bloody kickoffs.

Yeah, I agree with that. But I just think the fact we insist of kicking to the same person simply highlights the point we don't seem to have a plan B.

Have to agree.

There were a number of your fans stood near us at the Wheldon road end that were going apoplectic at the restarts. As I noted at the time, you had more important concerns - not missing tackles and holding onto the ball for your full set of 6 - than where the ball was kicked to on the restart!