Red Devils show power of versatility
RICHARD Marshall freely admits his Salford squad is nowhere near the biggest in Super League, but there’s been a conscious effort to add versatility to the playing group.
Across just three matches, we’ve seen examples of Danny Addy, Harvey Livett and Dec Patton all operating in multiple positions.
Patton, an off-season recruit from Warrington, has come off the bench to play hooker in both of the Red Devils’ Super League fixtures to date, but was expected to start in his preferred halfback position against Widnes in the absence of the suspended Kevin Brown.
However, Marshall chose to start Patton at number nine before shifting him into the halves in an effort to rest Tui Lolohea early in the second half when the result was beyond doubt.
It was a smart plan and the 25-year-old’s ability to perform well in both positions impressed his coach.
“You’d like a player to nail down a position, but when we spoke with Dec about coming here, we said he was going to have to cover a couple of options for us,” explained Marshall.
“He looked quick, he looked lively, but we probably didn’t see him enough at halfback.
“But at the same time, it was always in the plan to start him at hooker and then put him at halfback and bring Tui off, provided the game was going on our side. That all fell into plan.”
It was a solid performance from Patton – who revealed in pre-season that he thought his rugby career might be over following his release from the Wolves, despite the fact he’s not at full fitness.
“He’s a tough player Dec, he’s playing with a shoulder injury at the minute and he’s getting through it really well,” said Marshall.
“And if you remember when we played Wigan, he got a hip injury and he’s still got the remnants of that, but he’s a tough kid.”