Board index ‹ Super League ‹ Salford City Reds - scarletturkey.com ‹ How the weekend's victory changes things.

In defeating Hull KR at the weekend, an opportunity has been created. Prior to that game the consensus was that three games from our remaining fixtures are winnable and the whilst winning those games would not get us a play-off place, it would achieve a higher points total than last year. Furthermore, it would arguably indicate gradual improvement since our latest admission to Super League.
However, by winning at New Craven Park, a new potential becomes apparent. We currently stand on seventeen points. Two more victories would eclipse the target many forum members have suggested as a measure of improvement. Easy hey? But this target, with seven games remaining is surely a little pessimistic?

Maybe so but at this point I would argue that our history of winning when we aren't expected to and losing to weaker opposition, in addition to the danger of identifying "winnable games" could be our downfall.

The team certainly need to be congratulated for their efforts over the last couple of weeks. Nevertheless, apathy will make a fool out of every man and should be eradicated from the mindset of anyone wishing to achieve. What I'm getting at is this; Widnes at home, one of our "winnable" games, demands greater focus and performance from the team than either Warrington or Hull KR did. Success in this game creates yet more opportunities and creates greater positive change.

Yes, the weekend changed things. It arguably enabled the goal posts to be pushed back a little. But without another good performance v Widnes, those posts will need to be put back where we found them.

100% agree - Widnes have improved themselves recently and their near victory over St H underlines that. We need to be totally focussed on each match - Widnes have nothing to lose, but will want to impress their coach as they are making changes for next year. It is not a easy match at all. But if we defend well, keep penalty count down - we should have too much quality for them in attack.

Great that our season is still alive - whne it seemed all but over a while back.

RedRoverRedRover wrote:

100% agree - Widnes have improved themselves recently and their near victory over St H underlines that. We need to be totally focussed on each match - Widnes have nothing to lose, but will want to impress their coach as they are making changes for next year. It is not a easy match at all. But if we defend well, keep penalty count down - we should have too much quality for them in attack.

Great that our season is still alive - whne it seemed all but over a while back.

I agree. Focus, discipline and confidence will take us a long way.

(Slight deviation) One thing that does concern me is the pursuit of new and improved contracts many players will be engaged in, due to the lengthy gap between fixtures. Whilst I appreciate the importance of this to the players, such a process can be a massive distraction.
Hey, all players love to play but only champions love to train. It's in the training environment where the Widnes match will be won or lost. Hopefully contract negotiations will be sorted sooner rather than later in order that the players can prepare properly.

I still think we've left ourselves too much to do with regards to a play off spot. We're still 5 points off with 7 games remaining, we really need to beat Widnes, London, Wakefield and Huddersfield and just hope Hull KR, Hull FC and Bradford (or points deduction would help) slip up at some point. Never say never, but I think its highly unlikely.