Salford enjoy calm before storm
FOLLOWING the hectic Easter period, in which Salford faced all of last season’s Super League top four inside 15 days, the Red Devils enjoyed a very welcome 16-day break between matches ahead of tomorrow’s contest with Leeds Rhinos.
It gave the coaching staff an opportunity to encourage rest and recuperation among the playing squad and reflection on the performances during that tough run of fixtures.
“It was some very muchneeded time off,” explained assistant coach Kurt Haggerty.
“We’ve rested some bodies, freshened them up and got preparing for this game.
“After a tough Easter, the timing was crucial for us. I wouldn’t say we were happy with how we played because we didn’t win any of the games, but
there’s certainly a lot to be excited about for us as a team.
“There are improvement areas too – we need to start learning how to win those big moments in games. For sure, there’s a lot to go at and we’re never happy not winning games.”
During the break between fixtures, the Red Devils took the opportunity to sort out the futures of some of their key men – Deon Cross, Andy Ackers and Kallum Watkins all extended their stays at the club – while Tyler Dupree, a one-time member of Salford’s scholarship programme joined from Widnes in a swap-deal that saw Josh Johnson head the other way.
“Ideally, we want to retain our best, move people on if we have to and bring in quality,” said Haggerty. “We’ll always be looking.
“Tyler Dupree is someone we’ve been monitoring, an opportunity came up to get him in early. We want to get business done early, start moving forward and put things in place moving forward for the club.
“Tyler is a very exciting young man and he’s got some very good attributes, which certainly shows that he’s Super League quality. He’s a project, but he’s someone who could potentially be a very good player.”
Salford produced perhaps their best performance of the season in victory over Leeds at the AJ Bell Stadium back in March, but there has been plenty of change at the Rhinos since then.
With Zak Hardaker looking likely to make his second debut for the club, new coach Rohan Smith taking charge of his first game and several key men back from injury and suspension, the Red Devils coaching staff are expecting an improved showing from the visitors.
“It will be very different this week,” said Haggerty. “They’ve got a new coach which always means they bring new enthusiasm - probably muchneeded enthusiasm.
“They’ve got new personnel coming in, their bans are up and they’ve got some injuries back, so it’s very much focus on Salford and what we can do. Leeds have been difficult to preview because their personnel has been so different over the last three or four games.”