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Harrison lays it on the line

29/ 8/2002

KARL Harrison, Salford City Reds' no-nonsense coach, called a meeting of players and staff after Sunday's 11-try mauling at Hull and left everyone at the Willows in no doubt what is required to stay in the Tetley's Super League.

He said: "The display at Hull was by far the worst we've played in my short time at Salford. We had a meeting and I told everyone that there will be drastic changes.

"The match at Widnes on Sunday means we have a massive weekend and we must try and inflate everyone. This is a game we can win and we are all looking forward to it."

The Reds coach said he knew that Widnes would be trying to get the two points in their own survival bid.

"We need the two points and there is all to play for," he said. "Hopefully, there will be a lot of Salford fans for the match. Our team needs the Salford fans behind them. We have four games left - games we have got to win. There are plenty of points to be had."

Harrison said before the Hull match that he believed that with the remaining games the Reds would manage to avoid the prospect of relegation.

"We need to play a little bit smarter, but I'm confident that we'll be playing Super League rugby next season. With the games that are still to go the battle in the basement is certainly as intriguing as the race for top spot."

Darren Shaw has returned from his spell at London Broncos to bolster the pack for Salford.

Greg Ebrill had to have about 20 stitches in a wound just above his eye the previous Saturday.

Harrison said that all the clubs at the foot of the table have got big games and it won't be easy for any of them to take points from the big clubs. He said that the club had to be encouraged by the performances they had put in away from home, adding: "We gave a good account of ourselves at Widnes, Leeds and London.

Clearly, as the coach points out, this is a make-or-break time for Salford Reds in their battle to stay in the top flight. With the proposed move to three divisions no-one at the Willows relishes the prospect of First Division rugby.

Remaining fixtures for the Reds are: Sunday: Widnes Vikings (A); September 8: Halifax Blue Sox (H); September 15: Warrington Wolves (H); September 22: v Castleford Tigers (A).