Salford travelled to world champions Wigan for the first time in twenty years expecting to win – and fans weren't disappointed, as the Red Devils won 31-16 to go second in the table.
Wigan pulled the old 'We've got twelve out with injuries' but I say 'Deal with it, like Salford have had to in the past'. Coach Ian Watson impressed me with this week's mind games, saying Salford also had more than a few out.
Before the game, a massive flag was produced in the Salford end... 'Salford Forever...Manchester Never', which summed up the feelings of all the fans I have spoken to this week...
Salford opened the scoring on three minutes, after brilliant work by Lui put Welham in by the corner. The kick was too far out for Dobson to convert, but after twenty minutes, brilliant play from Dobson put Evalds over, and this time Dobson converted making the score Wigan 0 Salford 10.
After 25 minutes, Salford really began to turn the screw as BMM went in for one of his trademark tries, kicked by Dobson, making the score 16-0, which it stayed until half time. To be honest, Wigan in the first half did not look like scoring. They were poor and I was expecting more from them.
The second half started with Salford kicking to the Champions, and after three minutes, Evalds went over, kicked by Dobson, to make the score Wigan 0 Salford 22.
Soon after, Johnstone flew in after brilliant work by Dobson and, to rub salt into the wound, Dobson kicked the goal from an impossible position. Wigan finally scored in the corner from Tom Davies to make the score Wigan 4 Salford 28. And, with twenty to go, the home side scored again to give them some hope - Wigan 10 Salford 28.
Seven minutes before the end, Wigan went over again, as Salford were making hard work of it. But like I have said in earlier reports, this is a quality team that does not know how to lose.
Gaz O'Brien was flattened after a drop goal, and Salford were given a penalty that Gaz converted to make the final score Wigan 16 Salford 31.
The talk all week has been of the name change but, after tonight, I only want to talk about how good this team is. We are now second in the league and, in all honesty, they deserve to be top, but for a moment of madness in the Wakefield game and the five yard forward pass at Leeds.
We move onto the Cup on Friday, at home to Hull KR, and, on this form, a Wembley and League double is on the cards. If only Salford could get bigger gates all the talk of a move and a name change would be irrelevant.
After the match, coach Ian Watson was asked in the press conference whether talk off the field about the Manc stuff was overshadowing things on the field. He fudged an answer, seemingly referring to Twitter talk about the team rather than the speculation surrounding a name change and move...
"We're second in the table, they need to focus on what's positive" he said "It's easy to jump on the negative bandwagon. Get behind the team, they're doing really well...be positive and enjoy what you can, rather than complaining and moaning about stuff. Back the guys who are doing it because they're doing a great job at the moment..."
To listen to the whole press conference see Sounds of Salford upload - click here
Report by Simon Williams
Photos by Gareth Lyons – see more of Gareth's photos on his flickr feed – click here
Salford Red Devils stars back campaign to Save The Grange disabled children's home from closure - click here
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