What Salford Red Devils’ Paul Rowley said on the cancelled fixture, loans and Joe Shorrocks

Salford Red Devils head coach Paul Rowley spoke to the press this afternoon ahead of this week’s Super League clash with Leigh Leopards.

It’s been a difficult few days for the club, with the decision being made last week to pull out of their scheduled clash with Wakefield Trinity. The club have given assurances that Friday night’s clash with Leigh Leopards will go ahead though and they’ve welcomed four loan players through the door so far to make sure it does.

As such, Rowley held a pre-match press conference as planned this afternoon. Here’s what he had to say.

Everything Salford Red Devils’ Paul Rowley said

How is your squad shaping up with the loan additions that have come in?

It’s been another challenging week to be honest, we’ve probably got 18 or 19 players but there is a bit of a mix-match, there’s several wingers but not enough in another position. The important thing is fulfilling the fixture and doing the right thing. Going to Leigh as well, I want to make sure we get there and put a team out. It was a horrible week last week, but we’ve just got to get there by whatever means.

For you personally, how was last week?

You can talk about the cancelled fixture last week. That was just a sad day for everyone, Wakefield, our club and that’s how I felt. No different than anybody else I imagine.

Are you hoping to welcome anyone back to bolster the side?

Dan Russell is back in there. We should Joe Mellor in a short stint, there’s a few bodies back in and a few bodies putting their hand up who are busted. We’re patching the boys up in light of the new additions. We’ll have a team.

Have those new faces been able to train and work under you?

Yeah, we’re blessed. We’ll train today and play on Friday. Lucky us, I can’t wait.

What do you make of Leigh Leopards?

I think Leigh have been great. I commentated on them v Warrington the other week and I think their biggest strength is how connected they are and how Adrian and the club have done a good job of developing some of the lesser big names if you like, people like Keanan Brand, Hanley, Hodgson. I think the faith that you’ve shown in them and the development has contributed to them having a tremendous team spirit. They’ve got the obvious stars and Tesi Niu is probably the headline grabber in all of those. They’re the real deal and I’ve enjoyed watching Leigh to be honest. It’ll be really tough for us.

Did you have any say in the cancelled game or was it out of your hands?

I’m not talking about politics. That wasn’t my decision. I’m a coach and I coach the team so don’t keep dipping your toe in that stuff.

Joe Shorrocks has gone over to Leeds, how much of a blow was it to lose him?

I’m just pleased for Joe to be settled but obviously I miss Joe like all the other boys that aren’t here. I’m not sure how many it is now but it seems like a lifetime ago that we lined up with people like Tim Lafai and people like that at the beginning of the season. Joe going is a big blow on and off the field because he’s a big character and I enjoy his company.

When it comes to bringing players in on loan, how does that work, do you get what you’re given from other clubs or do you approach them for specific players?

No, pretty much what you just said.

Clubs are coming to you with players?

Yeah, pretty much. Paul King has obviously reached out and most clubs are as forthcoming as they can be to accommodate us to help fulfil our fixtures. As they should do, they’re not going to hurt themselves to do so, so they have to look after themselves and I fully agree with that.

It’s been a funny season but is the light at the end of the tunnel just being able to play every game between now and the end of the season?

Yeah, you say funny but I can think of other words to describe it. I can’t even look towards the end of the season, just day to day, as I’ve said all along.