Richard Marshall highlighted two key problems his Salford side must solve if they want to change their form in the Super League.
The Red Devils put in what might be their best performance of the season in their heartbreaking loss to Castleford in the Challenge Cup, but a well-known failure made the former Halifax boss rethink his approach.
Salford conceded a try within five minutes of the end of the first half in each of the first three games of 2021, giving up a converted penalty in the 39th minute in the league battle between the two teams a week earlier and allowing Peter Mata’utia to do so Score when the hooter rang over the weekend.
It’s a problem Marshall identified and encouraged his side to fix, along with another loss of focus immediately after the reboot.
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On the subject of matching items
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On the subject of matching items
“The other finished the first set of the second half, which we didn’t do again,” he said.
“I have to take on some responsibility there, obviously my messages are not clear enough.
“We did well but we received a penalty before the break last week and it was an attempt that really got them back on the hunt.”
“But when we put that aside to be within 10 seconds of the end of the game and we’re still fighting, I love that Salford attitude that never says to die.”
The returning trio of Elijah Taylor, Dan Sarginson and Ryan Lannon impressed their coach on their first return leg after injuries.
“The dynamic was a little different, with Elijah in the middle and Dan Sarginson. Pauli Pauli also looked threatening at times, we just have to bring him up to speed.
Sarginson faces a longer run in the fullback position
(Image: Allan McKenzie / SWpix.com)
“Luckily we have a couple of guys in and around the team who took their opportunity.
“I would like to get a bit of a permanent line-up, we haven’t been able to afford this luxury through one thing or the other.”
Sarginson returned straight to the squad at the fullback, where he played the first two rounds of the season before the injury, displacing Elliot Kear, while Morgan Escare’s only appearance in first position in the preliminary round of the Challenge Cup was against Widnes and visiting his former Side catalans.
And the immediate reintroduction of Sarginson, who has played at the center for most of his career, as a defender can be taken as an indication that he is the club’s first choice in this position.
“After his preseason and what he’s doing, yeah,” Marshall said. “But at the same time he can play a number of positions on our team and at some point other people will play in that position as defenders, I’m sure.”