Post by Carnster on Sept 23, 2023 16:52:10 GMT
My thoughts on this season...
Looking at the results throughout the whole season it's not surprising that we finished mid-table as our consistency was up and down from start to finish. A good opening win against Leigh offset the week after with a disappointing home defeat to HKR. Something of a Salford speciality over the years to win well away and fall flat at home the week later. Then there was that capitulation away to Wire where we beat ourselves before turning in our best performance of the season, smashing Hull on there own turf. However, it didn't galvanize us as we continued to stutter in the performances. April was our best run, notching-up narrow victories until Leeds at the start of May followed by a poor show against the Saints. Another good run in June was ended by HKR in the challenge cup defeat and we really didn't recover for the rest of the season. A big defeat to Wakefield being a particular low at this time but we stuttered and farted our way towards the end of the regular season, throwing in a couple of victories here and there but never regaining any sort of form or consistency.
Now, I realise we were crippled for long parts of the season with injuries but the fact that we showed this rollercoaster type of form from start to finish shows where we really need to focus next season. Maybe Rowley-ball means that we will always have this pattern as its bound to have this sort of effect. Another glaring stat that contributed and needs more attention is penalties...
We are the most penalised club in SL.
195.
That's 46 more than the next team, Leeds. That stat alone has probably cost us six competition points, not to mention the extra bans we incured that will have had a bearing on other results. King V alone is responsible for 13% of all Salford's penalties with 25, the most penalised player in SL. This is probably our biggest downfall and biggest reason we can never seem to get consistency in results. It desperately needs looking at for next season.
Another strange fact for a team 'famed' for its attacking play has been a lower than average amount of tries you'd expect from a mid table side. 79. Only Cas and relegated Wakey were worse. This is quite alarming for a side that prides themselves on flowing attack, it just hasn't clicked this season like it did before. Compare this to the year before and only Wigan scored more than Salford. We've scored 42 less tries this season. That is a massive reduction, and a little worrying.
It's not all doom and gloom though, our defence is what has kept us respectable this season. 512 points conceded is pretty good and there's plenty of teams way worse and some only marginally better. Wire for instance has identical points conceded. Difference is their attack clicked more often than ours.
As for individuals I don't think we had that many stand-out performers with the exception of Brierley who has possibly had a better season than the year before. Although croft was quiet by his high standards of the year before, something that was bound to happen, he still was a key player providing 21 assists, 6th in SL and second in SL for carries averaging over twenty a game, showing us he's more than just a pivot. I think Lafai has had a quieter season but is still 3rd in offloads in SL. Sio has been Mr Reliable throughout and Watkins has consistently grafted when playing, something his starts show plainly.
For me, it's been a frustrating season overall. I've enjoyed the highs and tried my best to reason-out the lows. The frustration stemming from the stupid penalties we never learn to stop and the stupid mistakes and calls that add a whole new meaning to brain fart. We've still been brilliant at times and this just about negates the under-10's mistakes and choices. Just. One thing that has stood out for me is that they have always given their all in every game. The effort is not in doubt and I thank them for it.
A couple of shrewd signings, work on the discipline and keep up those defensive efforts and we'll place higher for sure next season. Injuries permitting.
Sorry for the long post and over to the rest of you for your opinions...
Looking at the results throughout the whole season it's not surprising that we finished mid-table as our consistency was up and down from start to finish. A good opening win against Leigh offset the week after with a disappointing home defeat to HKR. Something of a Salford speciality over the years to win well away and fall flat at home the week later. Then there was that capitulation away to Wire where we beat ourselves before turning in our best performance of the season, smashing Hull on there own turf. However, it didn't galvanize us as we continued to stutter in the performances. April was our best run, notching-up narrow victories until Leeds at the start of May followed by a poor show against the Saints. Another good run in June was ended by HKR in the challenge cup defeat and we really didn't recover for the rest of the season. A big defeat to Wakefield being a particular low at this time but we stuttered and farted our way towards the end of the regular season, throwing in a couple of victories here and there but never regaining any sort of form or consistency.
Now, I realise we were crippled for long parts of the season with injuries but the fact that we showed this rollercoaster type of form from start to finish shows where we really need to focus next season. Maybe Rowley-ball means that we will always have this pattern as its bound to have this sort of effect. Another glaring stat that contributed and needs more attention is penalties...
We are the most penalised club in SL.
195.
That's 46 more than the next team, Leeds. That stat alone has probably cost us six competition points, not to mention the extra bans we incured that will have had a bearing on other results. King V alone is responsible for 13% of all Salford's penalties with 25, the most penalised player in SL. This is probably our biggest downfall and biggest reason we can never seem to get consistency in results. It desperately needs looking at for next season.
Another strange fact for a team 'famed' for its attacking play has been a lower than average amount of tries you'd expect from a mid table side. 79. Only Cas and relegated Wakey were worse. This is quite alarming for a side that prides themselves on flowing attack, it just hasn't clicked this season like it did before. Compare this to the year before and only Wigan scored more than Salford. We've scored 42 less tries this season. That is a massive reduction, and a little worrying.
It's not all doom and gloom though, our defence is what has kept us respectable this season. 512 points conceded is pretty good and there's plenty of teams way worse and some only marginally better. Wire for instance has identical points conceded. Difference is their attack clicked more often than ours.
As for individuals I don't think we had that many stand-out performers with the exception of Brierley who has possibly had a better season than the year before. Although croft was quiet by his high standards of the year before, something that was bound to happen, he still was a key player providing 21 assists, 6th in SL and second in SL for carries averaging over twenty a game, showing us he's more than just a pivot. I think Lafai has had a quieter season but is still 3rd in offloads in SL. Sio has been Mr Reliable throughout and Watkins has consistently grafted when playing, something his starts show plainly.
For me, it's been a frustrating season overall. I've enjoyed the highs and tried my best to reason-out the lows. The frustration stemming from the stupid penalties we never learn to stop and the stupid mistakes and calls that add a whole new meaning to brain fart. We've still been brilliant at times and this just about negates the under-10's mistakes and choices. Just. One thing that has stood out for me is that they have always given their all in every game. The effort is not in doubt and I thank them for it.
A couple of shrewd signings, work on the discipline and keep up those defensive efforts and we'll place higher for sure next season. Injuries permitting.
Sorry for the long post and over to the rest of you for your opinions...
