Let's first of all say what an absolute disgrace it is that this game has been moved from the Sunday to the Thursday, meaning that we only have four free days between the energy-sapping, highly intense Challenge Cup Final at Wembley and the crucial league game at Salford. With the homecoming parade taking up Monday, the team only have Tuesday and Wednesday to prepare for a very important game, whereas Salford have had twelve days since their away win at Hull FC. It's a joke, an absolute joke. For the second year running we are playing on the Thursday right after the Challenge Cup Final. There are only three games left of the regular season which means we have three chances to secure a playoff place - hopefully finishing as high as possible in the top five to give ourselves the best shot at getting Old Trafford.
With such a ridiculously short turnaround, it is no surprise that there are a few changes to the squad - four in fact. While this is not quite as heavy as I expected (I thought there would be wholesale changes), these changes could still have an impact on the game. Out go props Chris Hill and Mike Cooper, while Declan Patton misses only his second game of the season, and there is a rest for Toby King as well. In their places come Lama Tasi, Luther Burrell, Matty Smith and Danny Walker. Blake Austin remains injured. With Salford just two points behind us in the league, this is a pivotal match in the battle for 2nd place and a home tie in the playoffs, and considering that Salford have already got the better of us twice this season, it is a huge game in Super League. A loss would put Ian Watson's team level on 30 points with Wire, while a win for Salford by a margin of 24 points or more would take them above us on points difference. Now then, into my lineup.
Full Back - 1 Stefan Ratchford
I toyed with the idea of resting Ratchford for this game, but with no Austin or Patton available, we need Ratchford for his creativity. He alternated between playing at full back in defence and then transitioned to a halfback when in attack on Saturday, and I expect the same on Thursday night.
Winger - 2 Tom Lineham
Lineham was outstanding at Wembley, putting in a tremendously selfless defensive shift. Salford can be known for shipping a fair number of tries, so the backs will be looking at this as a chance to get themselves on the scoresheet.
Centre - 28 Luther Burrell
There is no Toby King so it makes sense that Luther Burrell will make his third start for the team.The rugby union convert will hopefully have a far greater impact on the game than in his previous start against St Helens in the league.
Centre - 22 Jake Mamo
I have made the decision to not include Bryson Goodwin in my lineup. He has played 16 consecutive matches and 19 of the last 20. His performance on Saturday was incredibly intense and in my opinion he is well due a rest. Mamo was on the bench at Wembley and has played in the centres before, at Hull FC this season, and his blistering pace could exploit Salford's leaky defence.
Winger - 5 Josh Charnley
It was great to see Charnley back in the team on Saturday, hopefully he can use the last three games of the league season to get back to full fitness and some scoring form ahead of the playoffs.
Stand Off - 12 Jack Hughes
Picking who would play at six was the hardest of all of these choices. Hughes did an excellent job defensively at Wembley on Jonny Lomax, and with a similarly dangerous halfback in Jackson Hastings on the opposing team this week, I'd leave Hughes in.
Scrum Half - 33 Matty Smith
In the absence of Austin and Patton, it is going to be a completely changed pairing in the halves on Thursday. Smith has been less than impressive in his two games for Wire so far, so let's hope for much better this time round. In his third match for us, he will be playing against his former team for the third time.
Prop - 19 Sitaleki Akauola
No Chris Hill or Mike Cooper means a change in the props. I expect Akauola to start as he did in the league game against St Helens a few weeks ago.
Hooker - 9 Daryl Clark
The hero of Saturday keeps his place in the squad and will undoubtedly start. As always, he'll be key to any chance of victory here. With Danny Walker on the bench, at least he will likely get some rest during the game.
Prop - 17 Joe Philbin
Philbin has been sensational from the bench in recent games and I think it's time for him to get a start in the props. It's been months since Steve Price alluded to playing Philbin as a starting prop and it's not happened yet - but this is a great opportunity.
Second Row - 11 Ben Currie
Currie being available at least means that there's some normality in the team. Currie's performances have been good lately and hopefully he can keep that up on Thursday.
Second Row - 20 Harvey Livett
Even though Ben Murdoch-Masila started in the second row on Saturday, I don't expect him to start this time round after such a big stint at Wembley. Livett started in the second row before Wembley and did an okay job, so I think he'll get another run there.
Loose Forward - 14 Jason Clark
It finally seems like Steve Price has selected a first-choice loose forward. Jason Clark has started in most of the big games lately and I expect that to continue here.
Interchange - 23 Matt Davis
Davis' superb energy and work-rate is a useful asset off the bench in any game and he will hopefully have an effect here - also his first Wire try came in July against Salford.
Interchange - 21 Danny Walker
Walker's inclusion in the squad suggests that Daryl Clark will get some rest during the game. I like Walker and I think he shows plenty of promise, so I'm keen to see him play.
Interchange - 34 Ben Westwood
After missing out on Wembley, it seems logical that Westwood will come back into the 17 for this fixture. With players in the pack who aren't used to starting there, the interchanges will be key.
Interchange - 13 Ben Murdoch-Masila
After 55 minutes on the pitch at Wembley, I imagine Murdoch-Masila will be benched this week and feature for a shorter stint this week.
Salford have twice got the better of us this season with two atrocious Wire performances at the Halliwell Jones and will be looking to beat us for the third time this season. They are in excellent form and possess some very dangerous players. Starting with the obvious, Jackson Hastings is the favourite for this year's Man of Steel and has been sensational for them this season, and as he proved in the second of their wins at the HJ, is capable of tearing a team to pieces on his own. Next to him at six is Tui Lolohea, signed from Leeds mid-season and has turned his season around with some really good performances next to the Wigan-bound Hastings. Krisnan Inu has been excellent for Salford lately and has really improved his goal-kicking, while Ken Sio and Jake Bibby are free-scoring wingers. There is no-one more free-scoring in Ian Watson's team than Niall Evalds though, who with a remarkable 26 tries, is Super League's top scorer in 2019. One of my favourite Salford players is Joey Lussick, who behind Daryl Clark has been the league's best hooker this season, while the likes of Gil Dudson, Ryan Lannon and Tyrone McCarthy are experienced forwards. Josh Jones has been superb in the second row for the Red Devils this season too.
Ian Watson has got Salford playing very attractive rugby and they are surely one of the stories of the season, having being tipped to be fighting London for relegation, yet with a win on Thursday they could go 2nd - what a job Watson has done this year. Elsewhere this week, Wigan are away at Wakefield and know that they can go in front of us if we were to lose, while Hull FC are at home to Huddersfield and are in the same boat as the Warriors. The two teams on the fringes of the playoffs, Castleford and Catalans, travel to St Helens and host Hull KR respectively, with London taking on Leeds in the other game.
There's no doubt that this is going to be a tough game. Having just four days recovery and preparation (two of which spent celebrating) compared to Salford's twelve is an immediate disadvantage. Then consider that we are missing five of our strongest lineup (Austin, Patton, King, Hill, Cooper) and that we have lost five in a row whereas Salford have won five in a row, then add in Salford having home advantage and it's starting to sound like mission impossible.
Mind you, I said that about Wembley, didn't I?
Daniel (@aloosewire)
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