IAN Watson admits money is the difference between Salford being over achievers and a ‘serious club’ as he is linked with jobs elsewhere.
And if ever they are going to get it, it will be now.
The hometown boy insists he is not letting speculation over his future get to him, thanks to lessons from his father.
His name is linked with Hull FC, Wigan and Warrington after guiding the Red Devils to the Super League Grand Final and Challenge Cup final in successive seasons.
But reaching showpiece occasions is not enough and Watson knows cold, hard cash could be the difference.
He said: “What we’ve done over the last two years is what I want to do but we want to win them, not come second.
“Everyone talks about how we’re sat next to Manchester. If we’ve not drawn enough traction over the last two years, we’re probably never going to.
“It would be great for us to just keep building but it comes down to money – salary cap, supporters coming through the turnstiles, sponsors. We don’t have a big benefactor and if we want to be the best club we’ve got to go further.
“People are saying we’d have taken 40,000 to Wembley but when they’re allowed in, we need them to come to the AJ Bell too. That’s how you become a force, by having a big support base.”
Watson has seen Joey Lussick secure a move to the NRL after bringing him in from Australia’s reserve grade and turning him into a star.
Working with him also turned Jackson Hastings from misfit to Man of Steel – he left and will the man himself head elsewhere?
Watson added before facing champions St Helens: “I suppose I am in the shop window in some ways.
“Speculation doesn’t bother me. My own competition has always been in my own head, my dad instilled that into me as a kid – that I compete against myself, it’s not about anyone else.
“If you fall below the standards you should be held up against, you need to have a look at yourself and fix that up.”
Salford were two points from a first Challenge Cup since 1938 on their first Wembley visit since 1969 – a year after reaching the Grand Final.
And Watson admits he will learn lessons from his agony, which he will put into action wherever he is.
Like anything, though, a bit more cash would help at Salford – to add to what he has, not create a new team.
He told SunSport: “I’ve not watched the cup final back as I’ll probably cry.
“The Grand Final for definite and the cup final have been two of my biggest learning opportunities. Hopefully that makes me better understand how you win them.
“We speak about winning things at Salford quite a lot. I’m really confident in the group of players we have but the biggest thing is that consistency in personnel.
“If we kept the squad from last year and put two or three players on top of that, we’re a top level team but that comes down to money.
“The players’ attitude to want to win has ultimately turned Salford from a team people came to pick up a bit of a cheque and finish their career but the ones coming have come as they still want to win things.
“But you can add that bit more quality around them and give them that competition.”
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