Salford Red Devils assistant coach Krisnan Inu spoke ahead of the club’s clash with Hull KR to provide an injury update whilst also discussing the club’s new focus post-takeover and the role of former CEO Paul King.
The saga surrounding Salford came to a close last week when it was confirmed that their takeover had been approved by the RFL, which in turn saw their restricted salary cap lifted and allowed Paul Rowley free reign to select his full squad.
After that news, Saturday’s home game against Leeds Rhinos was supposed to be a homecoming celebration, especially when captain Kallum Watkins scored after 90 seconds but it quickly went downhill from there as the Red Devils lost 32-6.
Ryan Brierley spoke on the BBC’s Super League coverage on Sunday to address the past few months with the full-back admitting that the clash against Leeds was somewhat of an anti-climax, however, he underlined the stress and turmoil that the players had been through in those uncertain months.
The Scotland international said: “It’s been tough and probably yesterday was a bit of anti-climax. We wanted to have the great comeback and have a great day but I just think what we’ve had to go through has been really tough.”
Salford Red Devils coach talks injuries, Paul King and new focus
Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Assistant coach Krisnan Inu fronted the media earlier in the week and held a similar view to Brierley, outlining what the “main focus” is as the club now look to move forward and start their season properly.
Reflecting, Inu said: “It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster to be honest, obviously trying to do things behind the scenes to get the club to where it is now, it’s been a process.
“Full credit goes to the boys and their families, obviously they’re not the only ones that are going through all of that as well. They’ve been awesome.”
Ahead of the game against Hull KR, Inu explained that Salford are keen to focus on themselves with the Red Devils assistant comparing the Leeds game to a final trial run.
He said: “This week’s main focus is about us and what we need to bring. We know our standards need to be a lot better than how we performed last week and that’s our main goal for this week.
“You could say that was probably our last trial run, I think for full squad it was our first game that we were able to play together. So I think that was a bit, dusting off a few cobwebs, like you said, a bit rusty.
“But there’s no excuse, Leeds played well, we didn’t, and they deserve the win.”
Our Round 3 squad to face @hullkrofficial! 💪
Joe Shorrocks’ inclusion is subject to an appeal of his two-match ban, scheduled for later today.
ℹ️: https://t.co/cDgQ1PDQ1F pic.twitter.com/BRKzWZgwm1
— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) February 25, 2025
One of the club’s major absentees at the moment is Joe Mellor, Salford’s would-be starting hooker, and Inu provided an update on that possible return.
He said: “Joe’s a bit of a freak so we could say 10 weeks and he’ll come back in three so I think Joe’s progressing well with his recovery. Like I said all our players are professionals so it could be any time.”
One man who has been pivotal in the takeover and Salford’s on-field success in recent years is Paul King, the former CEO with that role now going to Chris Irwin post-takeover.
“At the moment he’s doing his own bit for now in an unattached role,” Inu confirmed when asked about King’s status at the club.
“He’s been awesome for the club. I know he’s struggled in certain areas where he didn’t really have too much help. He’s done so much for the club and since I’ve been here he’s done great to keep this club together and fight for every inch of this club in its best interest as best as he could.”
