To be fair to JAW and/or whoever negotiated a deal, SMc was by far the most well-recognised and successfully coach we'd appointed in a good, long while and we needed some stability so, at the time, a long term deal seemed like a good idea.

The 2009 team also had littler, sibbit, alker,fitzy, big phil, Highto of the top of my head who were on their last legs thats why we couldnt kick on to 2006 heights they were all still under contract because after our relegation we needed to bounce back up, the landscape had changed dramaticly from 2003 financially so we gave these players big contracts to bounce us back up with a mix of young talented and cheap players, protect our younger players and give them time to develop.



This happened, in many ways you could argue it was the young players that carried us through.....anyway... the old guard were roared off this year rather than paid off sooner with their heads held high and mcrae for the 1st time has a full set of senior players which are his, will buy into his theorys and follow his plan to the letter



Dunnerman was world class for us, Holdswoth is world class, im glad we learned the lesson over dunnerman you build a team round such a talent and you will go far we still have a youthful team you took the 2006 pack as it was then jumped in a time machine and played them this year i recon we'd be playoffs for sure, its not a dig @ the younger players its just that in 2006 the players were @ the right age and were physically and mentally ready to go to the next level.



It will come again sooner than you think.



Anyway all this talk of teams 2003 team was great too, clinch the pinch doing what dunnerman did and the wizard is doing now, sir clifford of beverley, the rugby genius, jason "flowers of salford", littler, alker, david highton, blakeley showing us flashes took us back to the amarillo - the promise land when it reaily was promotion or bust

I think this is a great point. Let's see what 'Smack' does next year with a new team of his own and then judge.....



Let's have a bit of positivity on here.....

It's a win win situation for me. McRae's coaching reputation has been severely damaged over the past 2 years and I can't see him being of any interest to other Superleague/NRL clubs. If McRae wants to continue coaching at this level he will know better than anyone that he really has to start delivering more results next year. Maybe McRae's effort, enthusiam and focus will go up a few notches in the knowledge he will be working with a much stronger looking squad that look capable of making the play-offs.

However if the team don't get off to a good start in 2011 I think he will be in a very vulnerable position for an early retirement.

There is some chatter about Millward going to Widnes to take over from Cullen.

There is a link on the clubs official site to an article in today's MEN (online) by Neil Baker, confirming that Millward has officially applied for the post.

Sorry if this is old news.

THE DREAM TEAM ?



[url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/rugby_league/s/1325095_millward_chases_salford_roleVIEW IT HERE[/url

Along with eleven others apparently. Would be very interesting to know who they are?

Or a nightmare!

I wonder if Wayne Bennett has thrown his cap in the ring?

DO YOU THINK our NEW DREAM TEAM COULD WORK "king of the shed" ?



[iHonest answer now, no duckin and diving[/i

I was thinking about this and come to the conclusion that the club wouldn't appoint an assistant to Shaun Mcrae without his agreement. I therefore believe that if Millward was chosen it would be because Mcrae believes he can work with him and he's the best man for the job. But it is hypothetical at the moment until an announcement is made.