Salford City Reds preview

Last season

After a major overhaul of their squad, it was hoped 2011 could be the year Salford pushed themselves into the play-off picture. Instead they went through no fewer than four coaches and ended up a disappointing 11th.

Early optimism amongst Reds supporters evaporated with a miserable start, with the much-changed side losing four of their first five outings.

Before March was out head coach Shaun McRae was on sick leave - he would not return to his job either, with the club announcing they had parted company with the Australian at the end of April.

Assistant coaches Malcolm Alker and Phil Veivers took temporary charge as Salford's board undertook a lengthy search for a full-time replacement, only for the former to end up in a dispute with the club that he had served so well on the field.

It was eventually announced in July that Australian Matt Parish was their man. Sadly, he was their man for all of six games; Parish won just once during his brief tenure, resigning in November for personal reasons to leave the Reds back at square one.

Rather than get burnt again by looking overseas, they instead turned back to Veivers, the assistant eventually getting the top job he had wanted at the second attempt.

Salford will be hoping their new boss can stick around for the long haul, particularly as they head into life at their new stadium at Barton after ending their 110-year stay at The Willows.

Ins and outs

After massive changes last winter Salford have decided to keep a relatively settled squad for 2012, though they have once again lost one of their prized assets to Warrington.

Having raided the Reds to get scrum-half Richard Myler back in 2009, the Wolves have returned to sign another half-back - Stefan Ratchford - from their north-west rivals, with the 23-year-old rejecting an offer to stay put.

As for those coming in, Joel Moon is the most interesting capture. The versatile Queenslander was picked for the Indigenous All Stars last year and can play in numerous positions from centre to second row.

Ex-Rabbitoh Shannan McPherson is another to come in from the NRL to bolster a squad that is now without the services of Ray Cashmere and Mark Henry as well as young prop Jack Spencer, who has swapped a summer in Salford for a winter with Wests Tigers.

Veivers will certainly know all about one of his recruits - his son, Josh, will work with his father after spending last season with Wakefield.

Fellow former Wildcat Ben Gledhill and St Helens second rower Matty Ashurst have also arrived, suggesting the City Reds are looking to the long term with youth.

Outlook

By Jonathan Clegg - former Salford stats man and long-time supporter

Salford will be hoping that their first season in their new home will be a lot better than their final season at their old one.

Despite losing Stefan Ratchford to Warrington, Salford's biggest loss (quite literally) is Ray Cashmere, who has consistently been one of the Reds' better performers for the last few years.

Salford have perennially had a problem making metres, so will be looking to new signings Jordan James, Shannan McPherson and Matty Ashurst for the go-forward. A new, slim-lined Iafeta Paleaaesina, however, could be like a new signing and will be hoping to make a big impact this season - he has returned to training much fitter and, crucially, 20kg lighter.

In Jodie Broughton and Danny Williams, Salford arguably have two of the best wingers in Super League and Phil Viever's will be hoping that new signing Joel Moon will be able to create plenty of chances for the speedy duo.

Another close-season signing who could be massively important to where Salford finish in the table is assistant coach Sean Long. The three-time winner of the Lance Todd Trophy, who retired last season, will be in charge of the Reds' attack, working closely with half-backs Daniel Holdsworth and Matty Smith.

If the two halves, as well as experienced Australian full back Luke Patten, can stay fit and perform consistently, then the Reds may just surprise a few.