The wait is nearly over..... : Mon Jan 26, 2015 12:04 pm  

So Pre season is now done and dusted and the real thing is just around the corner. Based on what we have seen, how do you think we’ll be lining up against Warrington?

1. Kevin Locke
2. Greg Jonson
3. Jay Walton
4. Josh Griffin
5. Niall Evalds
6. Rangi Chase
7. Michael Dobson
8. Scott Taylor
9. Tommy Lee
10. Lama Tasi
11. Harrison Hansen
12. Weller Hauraki
13. Gareth Hock

14. Theo Fages
15. Cory Paterson
16. Tony Puletua
17. Darrell Griffin/Adrian Morley

If Sa’u is fit he obviously comes straight in for Walton, if not I think Walton more than deserves a crack against Wire. I wouldn’t start BJB (even if he’s fit) as I think Evalds has to be in the team, it’s his starting spot to lose now (his form at the backend of last season and so far in the friendlies dictates this). It was a toss up between Caton-Brown and Griffin, but I like Griffin and he kicks goals so gets the nod, especially if Dobson isn’t fit. Theo was outstanding on Saturday, but if Dobson is fit he has to start; with Theo being used as sub hooker instead of Liam Hood. I’m undecided on the rest of the bench, it will be hard to leave Jordon Walne out. And who starts alongside Hansen in the second back row spot out of Paterson, Hauraki, Walne is a tough decision.

I think one of Morley, D Griffin or Puletua will miss out. This also leaves out A Walne, G Griffin, Forster and Menzies who could all do a decent job.

Harris definitely has a few selection headaches, I can’t remember a Salford team with so much competition for places. It makes for a refreshing change

Re: The wait is nearly over..... : Mon Jan 26, 2015 2:18 pm  

My Team would be;

1. Locke
2. Johnson
3. Walton
4. Griffin/MCB
5. Evalds/MCB
6. Chase
7. Fages
8. Taylor
9. Lee
10.Tasi
11.Hauraki
12.Hanson
13.Hock

14.Hood
15.Patterson
16.Morley
17.Griffin

I honestly cant believe people would rather see Dobson in front of Theo, sends out completely the wrong message. Players need to earn their shirts not given them because weve signed them on big money. That attitude is why the likes of Wigan and saints succeed, they play the in form players not the names!!

Re: The wait is nearly over..... : Mon Jan 26, 2015 2:27 pm  

He may put Dobson on the bench but Fages will most certainly start for me. I can see Puletua just getting in ahead of D.Griffin but from what i've heard Tasi didn't have the best of pre-seasons.

Re: The wait is nearly over..... : Mon Jan 26, 2015 2:34 pm  

Does anyone know any details on Josh Griffin's injury please? Is h likely to make the starting line-up in week 1.

Re: The wait is nearly over..... : Mon Jan 26, 2015 2:42 pm  

Toosmooth wrote:

Does anyone know any details on Josh Griffin's injury please? Is h likely to make the starting line-up in week 1.

I don't think it's as serious as first thought. Hopefully be fit for the Warrington game

Re: The wait is nearly over..... : Mon Jan 26, 2015 2:43 pm  

Redidiot wrote:

My Team would be;

1. Locke
2. Johnson
3. Walton
4. Griffin/MCB
5. Evalds/MCB
6. Chase
7. Fages
8. Taylor
9. Lee
10.Tasi
11.Hauraki
12.Hanson
13.Hock

14.Hood
15.Patterson
16.Morley
17.Griffin

I honestly cant believe people would rather see Dobson in front of Theo, sends out completely the wrong message. Players need to earn their shirts not given them because weve signed them on big money. That attitude is why the likes of Wigan and saints succeed, they play the in form players not the names!!

I’m a massive Theo fan and would happily see him start against Warrington, however if Dobson is fit, I don’t think he will start. Dobson is the sort of scrum half we need to guide us around the field and he gives us a decent kicking game (Theo’s weakness is his long kicking game). However Theo is a must for a place in somewhere in the 17 (hooker). I don’t see this as sending the wrong message out at all, Theo has had a lot of super league game time for someone so young and he will get plenty of chances this year and for years to come. Also having Theo chomping at Dobson’s heels will only improve his game, which in turn means improving the team as a whole. It’s a win win for me. I hope Evalds starts over Ben Jones-Bishop though, the lad has a lot of talent. His footwork and pace will cause problems to any defence.

Like I said before, it’s a great selection headache to have.

Re: The wait is nearly over..... : Mon Jan 26, 2015 3:49 pm  

Considering Dobson will be behind with fitness due to recovering from Injury it would be sensible to start the season with Theo and ease Dobson in. However, let's not forget regardless of Fages playing well against lower standard opposition we signed Dobson for his organisation and kicking game. This was something sadly missing last year and we must not get carried away and lose sight of this.

Re: The wait is nearly over..... : Mon Jan 26, 2015 3:56 pm  

Yes Theo has been great in pre-season, particularly against Hunslet last weekend and I honestly see him as the future Salford 7 for years to come (unless he wants a move back to France at some point in his career and who could begrudge him that) but Michael Dobson has been there done it and got the Super League t-shirt. It would be madness for us to leave a player of such quality and experience out of the 17 if he is fit and raring to go. I appreciate Dobson had a quiet 2014, playing primarily in the reserve grade over in Newcastle but class is permanent.

Theo is in the 17 all day long and I can see him causing problems all over the field if introduced at either 7 or 9 for spells, especially in the second half. Warrington have a pack of big forwards who you would hope would tire after 60 minutes against our equally physical pack. Ideal scenario for Theo.

I would go with;

1. Locke
2. Johnson
3. Sa’a
4. MCB
5. BJB
6. Chase
7. Dobson
8. Taylor
9. Lee
10. Tasi
11. Hansen
12. Hauraki
13. Hock

Morley
Paterson
Puletua
Theo

Hard not to include Evalds, Walton, J.Walne and J.Griffin who are all on the fringes. I suspect Forster and Menzies will also be shaking things up in a couple of weeks when given a chance too.

Re: The wait is nearly over..... : Mon Jan 26, 2015 4:39 pm  

Don't think Tony Puletua will be starting. According to papers the Dr says he's listening out for offers because he won't be getting much games this year

Re: The wait is nearly over..... : Mon Jan 26, 2015 5:58 pm  

I think Walne will be in the 17 before Puletua, he'll be able to give you more minutes on the pitch.

If Dobson is fit I'd say you'll see Paterson starting alongside HH and Hock in the back row, would be foolish not to play two players with the understanding of Dobson and Paterson.

Theo must be in the 17 as he offers that utility quality that is needed in the modern game, should something happen like last year when Chase got crocked so early we have a ready made replacement on the bench, Lee is perfectly capable of playing the full game at 9 if needed.

I doubt that both Dobson and BJB would be risked in the first game, too great a gamble having two players who have both missed the vast majority of preseason, it's a luxury having understudies of the quality of Evalds/MCB and Fages who are all more than capable of slotting in and not leaving the team weakend.