Salford Red Devils head coach Paul Rowley has confirmed that players were not paid yesterday as expected and given a brutal verdict on the loss to Hull KR.
The Red Devils looked way off the mark as they slipped to a 42-0 loss at Craven Park against Hull KR with ill-discipline and timid defence being the undoing of Salford.
Post-match reports circulated that Salford’s players had not been paid that day, despite payment day for the club traditionally being the last Thursday of the month, and Paul Rowley confirmed that in his post-match interview but explained he’s not overly concerned.
“It’s not an issue to me. The transparency has been first class,” Rowley said per BBC Sport Manchester with the head coach more focused on the poor performance and well aware of the reasons why payment hadn’t arrived.
With Salford’s new ownership being based overseas and led by Swiss banker Dario Berta, the money that players and staff are paid with comes from overseas and therefore has to go through a process to ensure everything is above board, as first reported by All Out Rugby League.
Salford Red Devils boss gives ‘worst performance’ verdict after loss to Hull KR
Whilst unpaid players could have been a factor in the poor performance, Rowley was having none of it and gave a scathing review of the game when speaking in his post-match presser, just as he had done on Sky Sports where he accused players of having a “victim mentality”.
Speaking post-match to BBC Sport Manchester, Rowley said: “It was probably one of the worst performances I’ve been involved with at this club. Everybody was looking for answers on the field but the first place everybody needs to look is at themselves and that includes me.
“We were fragile on both sides of the ball, but everything starts with defence and I thought our defence was as pathetic as it could get really. We’ve got to stick together and work this one out.”
Rowley conceded that the complications and uncertainties over the takeover will play a part but he insisted those at the club need to try and move on to be able to produce the right level of performance.
He said: “It [the previous uncertainty surrounding the takeover] is a real thing, I can’t dismiss it like it’s not been there for four months. However, you can play the victim for a full season if you want but it’s not going to do anybody any good. We’re paid to play and coach rugby.
“We’ve got to kick that one off our back quickly and move on. It’s a challenge, it’s one we’ve got to face together but find the answers as quickly as possible.”
Next up for Salford is a clash with Castleford Tigers with the Red Devils having a major rest advantage, something that could prove beneficial.
