Some games shape your season and I see this one as a game in this category, if we can get a 3 4 5 game unbeaten run going a playoff place must be within reach.



The players must remain focused and keep producing the style of rugby we have seen over the last few weeks, keep our defence up and keep our penalty count down.



We very rarely win 3 on the bounce and if we are to progress and continue to move forward on the field this physical and psychological barrier needs to be passed.



I see our current playing staff as good enough to build a winning run its all depends on them not panicing playing their rugby and putting the effort in from the 1st minute to the last.



Winning like losing becomes a habit, we are on the edge of moving to new levels in standards its just a matter of remaining focused and getting the job done

Witt should get banned! If he doesn't its a joke, then again the RFL are bias as towards Crusaders,Catalans and Harlequins we will have to see! They probably just felt sympathetic towards Wakefield with them going into Administration.



They will have a huge boost with 3 new signings coming into their squad, they had a very weak bench last week against Castleford.



80% of their team will be Australian on Saturday!



Reds to win by 18.

I suppose that is good for expansion, and does it meet the criteria for the next Franchise round,

[url=http://www.therfl.co.uk/disciplinaryRFL Disciplinary[/url



Is this a record? 1st week no Reds players taking a trip to Red Hall !

[iSaturday 2nd April 2011



Engage Super League XVI



Salford City Reds v Crusaders Rugby League



KO: 7.15pm (SKY SPORTS)



At The Willows.





REF: Mr Steve Ganson



TJ J Cobb

TJ C Sharrad



VIDEO REF: B Thaler



RR D Merrick

TK A Mills

MC D Campbell



[/i

Oh bl00dy hell - Ganson! And on the telly - he'll never stop blowing his whistle

Ganson

Oh well, we should be winning these games if we're going to do well this year. For me if we get a good start maybe a 10+ point lead and the forwards are putting us on the front foot we should be in control. All we need to do is keep Sammit and Schifcoske quiet, and Witt if he's playing and we should win this one. I for one hope Vinnie Anderson will be fit for this. If Vinnie's still injured and the likes on Feka, Gibson and Parker are, does anyone think we should experiment with Stef in the centre, Smith and Holdworsth HB's and Godwin hooker with young Gareth Owen coming on for two 15 minute spells?

Played 2 won 2 - if possible start the same side surely?

Witt's out on Saturday - banned for one game...

ONE-GAME BAN FOR WITT



[iCrusaders half-back Michael Witt has been handed a one-match ban and a £300 fine after being found guilty of punching.



The Australian was cited by the Rugby Football League's match review panel for striking Castleford full-back Richard Mathers during his side's 56-16 defeat on Sunday.



Witt, who appeared before the RFL's disciplinary committee today, will miss Friday's visit to Salford, against whom he scored a hat-trick of tries in the opening match of the season.[/i

Was thinking the same but if we get an injury down the line to Godwin and Owen has to come in we don't want him coming in with only his experience from last season do we?

Witt, who appeared before the RFL's disciplinary committee today, will miss [size=150Friday's[/size visit to Salford, against whom he scored a hat-trick of tries in the opening match of the season.



Have Sky brought this game forward a day?



or is it just lazy reporting?

The RFL have changed the rules again and banned him until Friday so it allows him to play on Saturday!

I'm not sure whether it's a sign of declining standards, but Ganson is becoming one of the best of the lot as times goes by. Am I right in thinking it's a 7.15pm kick off on Saturday? Oh, and does anyone know when the church hall shut as that was a blinding parking spot!

Ganson will be as bad for both teams, i surpose it helps being on the tv as he will just refer any big decitions on to the video



I think its a very big plus that Witt has been suspended for this game, he seemed to be a dominant force in cardiff and without him Celtic may need to re think a few things for our game friday



As for re thinks, soon Vinnie Anderson maybe fit, how will we fit him our team, no doubt he is a class player but if he does manage to be declaired fit this week do you keep the same side as we have won 2 on the spin or do you put him in as for us he maybe a unknow quanity and may give the crusaders a headake on how to deal with him?



Personally for me Nero has been a revelation in 2nd row, he is quick, powerful and has a quick play of the ball which allows us to get a roll on around the ruck as he is running at forwards who in the main dont have good footwork, i hust hope we keep giving him good ball and he keeps getting over the advantage line.



Im looking forward to it, do we think Crusaders will bring any support with them being on sky? i hope the shed continues where it left off last home game as that would give somthing for stevo and eddie to talk about

Anderson,if fit, needs to start a few games on the bench before he can even be considered for a starting spot. I've been majorly impressed with Nero and I think Adamson & Sidlow are beginning to show signs of what we know they're capable of. I think this team has massive potential. We've got "ball handlers" all over the pitch which if encouraged, as we've seen recently, can be devastating. Ok, it won't come off every week but it's bl00dy good to watch. Man for man we are better than the Crusaders and if we can dominate them early I think the Sky viewers may be in for a treat. As for the atmosphere, can't see that being a problem. Utd are on the box lunchtime so think a few of us may be in the latter stages of an all-day

come ko time!



Last but not least, Jodie & Stef

. Stef's footwork and handling ability is superb and couple that with JB's finishing and you've got tries galore in the offing. Stef also seems to be one of a dying breed of players that actually still uses the hand-off and I'd love to see Stef play a few more games at left centre. I'll admit I wasn't sure about Stef at Centre in the past but if he can improve his defence by 10-15% he's got the ability to play there at international level IMO.

IMO Ganson is the best Ref in the league. Who else would you rather have?

Salford Squad: Patten, Broughton, Henry, Nero, Anderson, Ratchford, Holdsworth, Cashmere, Godwin, Boyle, Neal, L. Adamson, Wild, Smith, Sneyd, Jewitt, Sidlow, Paleaaesina, Gleeson.



Feka and Anderson are in there.



Crusaders Squad: Schifcofske, Thomas, Martin, Mellars, Reardon, Sammut, O'Hara, Bryant, Cahill, Chan, Winternstein, James, Dudson, White, Flower, Moore, Lupton, Johnson, Hanbury.

This makes for an interesting week regarding final squad selection.



FWIW, here's mine.



1) Patten

2) Henry

3) Gleeson

4) Ratchford

5) Broughton



6) Holdsworth

7) Smith





Cashmere

9) Godwin

10) Boyle

11) Adamson

12) Nero

13) Wild



14) Sneyd

15) Anderson

16) Neal

17) Sidlow



Jewitt and Feka to miss out. Didn't see Jewitt play in France. How did he go? I'd be more than happy to include him if he went well. Feka'a omission is a no-brainer. Plenty of effort but questions remain over his defence. Questions that I doubt have been answered over the past 2-3 weeks.

As well as missing Witt it also looks like they are missing Lincoln Withers (who tore us to pieces down the middle at MM)!

Does anyone else think Neal should be in for Lee Jewitt if Anderson' is selected in the 17?

Based on his performance v KR, without a doubt.

Neal reminds me a little of Danny Sculthorpe, when he was at Wigan. Not the biggest but effective.

Whilst I really like Neal and think he deserves to be in the team, when you compare stats between Lee and Adam you find the following;



Meters Per Carry

Jewitt – 7.4

Neal – 6.7



Average tackles Per Match

Jewitt – 20

Neal – 21



Total Tackle Busts

Jewitt – 5

Neal – 0



Total Missed Tackles

Jewitt – 9

Neal – 10



Penalties

Jewitt – 0

Neal – 2



Errors

Jewitt – 4

Neal – 2



Tough call.

I think Red Preacher's got it right, I wouldn't want to see Feka back in til he's improved his fitness. I think it's a close call between Jewitt and Neal. I think Jewitt probably does more things that go unnoticed and Neal will do one or two barnstormers a game but less around them



I wonder when Gibson will be able to force his way back in. I think he had a decent start to the year, and Forever Reds won't be getting many £s out of me if he doesn't start playing again!! Having said that I wouldn't have him back in yet. be interesting to see if Gleeson can maintain his promising start