Concluding The Build Up To The Final Match Of The Season And The Last Under The Name Of Salford City Reds, Brian Noble Gives His Assessment To David Clegg
In a week in which everybody’s thoughts are racing ahead to next season, and the start of a new era for the club, spare a thought for our current squad of players, most of whom will be moving on to pastures new, after Friday’s final game. In that context, Head Coach, Brian Noble, is determined that events off the field this week should not distract their focus in preparing for taking on the visiting Vikings side.
Whilst there are many reasons why this could happen, he maintains there are equally many reasons why the Reds should play well and finish on top. Not least of these is the fact that a large number of people, players coaches and support staff, have worked extremely hard over the season to improve performances week in week out, and one final victory will go some way towards repaying them for all their efforts. Brian is extremely keen that our players give themselves every opportunity to leave the club on a high note.
On top of that, of course, is the newly added pressure on the squad to avoid ending with the wooden spoon. London’s surprise victory over Bradford has put them just one point behind the Reds, and were they to follow that up with another win at Hull KR, could possibly relegate Salford to the foot of the table. That is something that he, in conjunction with all the players, is desperately anxious to avoid. The answer to doing so, thankfully, lies within their own hands, which certainly will ensure that nobody is lacking in incentive, come Friday evening.
Brian is, consequently, looking for a really good performance from his troops, whom he feels have played well in spurts, over the past six or seven weeks. He was rather disappointed with their performance at Castleford, which he felt was a drop from that which they had turned in, at Hull. He considered that they lacked an element of intensity, particularly in the first 25 mins, singling out the kicking game together with their failure to muscle up against the opposition, as areas in which they let themselves down. He has highlighted the need to improve in both of these aspects.
Despite being pleased with the way his charges regrouped and took control of the game early in the second half, he was dismayed that they failed to continue in similar vein, thereafter. He quite naturally paid tribute to the impact of Rangi Chase, whom he described as a super player who sewed up the game for Castleford. Not that Widnes are without good players themselves, however. Joe Mellor, in particular has been receiving some rave reviews for his recent performances, not least in last weekend’s defeat of Hull KR.
It is, however, going to be primarily about our players, and how they shape up and improve from last week. With all that is at stake, Brian is looking forward keenly to the game, and bringing the season to a satisfying end for fans, staff, and, on this occasion, especially for the players.
Referee – Mr T Roby
TJs – G Stokes, P Marklove
IGs – J Callaghan, A Smith
19 Man Squad
Lee Gaskell
Danny Williams
Ashley Gibson
Ryan McGoldrick
Niall Evalds
Mark Sneyd
Theo Fages
Adam Walne
Jodie Broughton
Jake Emmitt
Jordan Davies
Andrew Dixon
Stephen Wild
Jordan Walne
Matty Ashurst
Gareth Owen
Darrell Griffin
Jordan James
Will Hope
