Nothing immature about being embarrassed for Salford. It may seem sensible for you because it's the situation you are in, but the rest of the league are saying 'get on with it'. It is perhaps sensible to request it - but to tweet it is embarrassing, did the club need to as it is likely to be turned down?

Hull don't owe Salford a favour but it's not out the question for a young Salford team to play and win the game - Hull aren't any great shakes at the minute.

It's been turned down. Adam Pearson was ‘very surprised’ by what he deems an ‘unusual’ request.

Good post Mike

Salford's social media use along with our owners' tweets have long been source of embarrassment. No doubt, the request would have got into the media in some way anyway. There's very few secrets in RL. I just don't see why anybody should be embarrassed for Salford making the request, as I've said, it's sensible for them to have done so given our situation.

I'm not personally going to cry about it, we have to 'get on with it' as you have said. If they show the same passion and commitment as they did against Cas then I'm not too fussed what score it will be on Friday.

Yes I'm surprised the Doc didn't tweet about this first, I think it's the first thing the official Salford account has managed to get something out before Marwan!

Agreed, it's an opportunity for someone else to have a go and that's motivation enough to put in a good performance.

I'm actually embarrassed by this, Chase, Hauraki and Patterson should be taking a good look at themselves right now, unprofessional behavior from them has made this situation even worse than it needed to have been.

Seconded, excellent post.

Nothing embarrassing in asking for the match to be postponed, if the right to make such a request is available then given our current situation it’s more than acceptable to do so. Hull FC have quite rightly rejected, which I and I am sure the majority of others accept and don’t blame them for in the slightest.

Therefore we now continue with our preparations and put out the best available squad we can, whether that includes playing either our 38 year old assistant coach or an inexperience and under developed U19.

What a joke play your Academy players or get a player on loan.

I was thinking something similar to Tommo with regards the state of our U19s. What if Harris decides that we don't have enough juniors who are up to the task of playing SL and sends a team of 12?

Or a bigger joke for asking to postpone



"Yeah Marwan we at Hull FC will wait for all your suspended players to come back and get all your injured players back then give us a ring then we'll play you"



Accept you have to play the academy lads and will get a snotting? thats what every other team do ala Wakefield.

Harris could consider fielding an entire team of academy players. We are on a hiding to nothing anyway so why risk further injuries and suspensions? The only problem is some of these lads aren't fully developed and I worry it could be very damaging to their development.

What's wrong with the U19's? Serious question from with a new fan and enough knowledge of RL to fill a postage stamp (just). Is it a poor academy in general or a bad set of players?

Sorry but I didn't see you crying about Bradford's academy last year or the teams full of loan players needed to field a team last year.

This is pretty pathetic and to go public with it even more so.

I personally think it's a wise move by the club. I don't for a second think they expect a postponement but at least it makes the sporting public aware of our problem and takes any gloss off any potential big margin results against us. I actually think this situation will make the players stronger and more determined as a group going forward. There's certainly a hell of a lot going against us but I'm sure we will eventually come back fighting.

This is spot-on.

I really wouldn't want the Club throwing under-developed sixteen year olds into a SL game. You're talking about not only potential serious injury, but also knocking-back any potential development that has gone on.

I think it was worth the Club asking but sticking it in the public domain seems like a really stupid decision. There was no need for it to be a public matter and then become another anti-Salford stick to beat us with in the eyes of other RL fans. We just need to suck it up and get on with it.

Hull or the RFL will not postpone this game,

We are going to have to play some of the the under 19s, And we are going to get beat, no surprise really.

So if it was me in charge i would return all the on ;loan players, , then look at the squad i had left, then send the under 19s , tell them to enjoy the game and dont worry about the score, it will give us another week to get more players back, and give those young players who have had to step up in the last few weeks a rest, then try the following week to put out a full team of our own without loan players.

That is what i would do.

Quote ="theredshed"Harris could consider fielding an entire team of academy players. We are on a hiding to nothing anyway so why risk further injuries and suspensions? The only problem is some of these lads aren't fully developed and I worry it could be very damaging to their development.'" Then watch this happen... www.theguardian.com/sport/2002/m ... e.sthelens Quote ="NuDevil"What's wrong with the U19's? Serious question from with a new fan and enough knowledge of RL to fill a postage stamp (just). Is it a poor academy in general or a bad set of players?'" I'm no expert on the 19s but I think the team has been assembled with an eye to the future and many of them are at the young end of the age range.

Quote ="theredshed"Harris could consider fielding an entire team of academy players. We are on a hiding to nothing anyway so why risk further injuries and suspensions? The only problem is some of these lads aren't fully developed and I worry it could be very damaging to their development.'" Then watch this happen... www.theguardian.com/sport/2002/m ... e.sthelens Quote ="NuDevil"What's wrong with the U19's? Serious question from with a new fan and enough knowledge of RL to fill a postage stamp (just). Is it a poor academy in general or a bad set of players?'" I'm no expert on the 19s but I think the team has been assembled with an eye to the future and many of them are at the young end of the age range.

Ah I see. I know RL us a brutal game but it seems a bit much the number of injuries we have. Suspensions we have no one to blame but the players involved. I wouldn't fancy being thrown in as a scrawny 16 year old

Ridiculous to ask for a postponement, especially considering the players you have suspended. Harris's Wigan-esque thugby tactics appear to be biting your club in its behind.

Can we be done by the RFL. For putting up a weekend team by playing the under 19s??????

In terms of playing the u19s it would be massively irresponsible. As others have said many if them are 16 and 17 and shouldn't be playing against an adult team en masse, bring a couple in but if they were ready we would already have done it.

Also there's points difference. could be vital at the end of the season given how tight 3rd to 10th is. If we get a 60-70 point mauling which could happen if we literally play the 19s then that could be fatal come the split

The better of the older u19s are on loan and have agreements not to recall - I wonder if what would happen if we recalled them early? Presumably cost us a few grand? Could be worth it if they can play half or hooker or free others up to play there?

Anyone remember us fielding all the kids at Wigan back in the 80's? From memory we needed one win from the last two to avoid the drop. We went to Bradford the following week with a fresh team and won easily.

I was at the Bradfart match, u would of thought we had won the cup that nite coming home on the m62 lol

I agree entirely that some under 19's may not be ready but I don't recall Wigan saying it when Edwards joined and played for them.
You do seriously have to question who drew up your loan agreements for some of the players you loaned out without a return clause in them to cover such problems.

In fairness some players are ready at 18 and others aren't. Garry Schofield is another example of player who hit the heights at such a young age. The difference is that it's OK playing a couple in an experienced team but when you have several more it could be potentially damaging to a young players development/confidence. This said Wigan played several kids at our place last year and they were outstanding. Although Wigan always have several special kids and a proven system for developing them.