Paul Rowley pulled no punches after Salford Red Devils slumped to a 42-0 defeat away to Hull KR in Thursday’s Betfred Super League Round 3 opener.
Being able to field a full-strength team for the second week in a row following the conclusion of Salford’s takeover saga made little difference as the visitors were easily swatted aside by last year’s Grand Finalists at Sewell Group Craven Park.
There was no way back after Kelepi Tanginoa crossed for the opening try in the third minute, with Jai Whitbread going over twice along with Oliver Gildart, Tom Davies, Jack Broadbent and Jez Litten grabbing one apiece, and Red Devils head coach Rowley spared no one – including himself – in the wake of the loss.
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“It was awful, you can’t dress that up,” Rowley told Sky Sports. “We’re two weeks in [with a full-strength team] but three in reality and we’re already in the trenches, so to speak.
“It was an awful performance and what can only be described as a victim mentality from us as a team.
“I stand with every one of them and all our staff and players, but we’re really disappointed with ourselves as a group.
“That includes me, so we’ve got a lot of fixing-up to do otherwise it’ll be a long season.”
Salford have now conceded 156 points in their opening three Super League matches, while the only ones they have scored so far came from Kallum Watkins’ converted try in the 32-6 defeat at home to Leeds Rhinos in Round 2.
Even taking into account how last season’s fourth-place finish saw the Red Devils defy all expectations, it is a concerning reversal of fortunes so far in 2025.
Rowley acknowledged the off-season financial concerns had left a mark on the squad, but would not countenance that as an excuse for their poor defensive showing against Hull KR.
“You’ve got to kick the victim mentality straight out and you’ve got to start by defending tough and bending your back,” Rowley said.
“I thought we were pathetic in that area and what we did in D reflects in offense.
“I don’t even want to talk about offense. It was ugly, but it starts with D and for 150 years everybody has been saying defence is an attitude, so we’ve got a lot to fix up.”
