STEFAN Ratchford says Wolves should underestimate his former team Salford at their peril.

He feels City Reds’ lowly position in the table will count for nothing tomorrow night, Friday, as they continue the bid to turn their fortunes around.

New owner Marwan Koukash, who bailed Salford out of its debt crisis on the eve of the new season, has shown he means business by sacking head coach Phil Veivers and demanding better performances from one of the least experienced squads in the competition.

Youth team coach Alan Hunte took charge in the 23-23 draw at Wakefield on Sunday.

Ratchford, who left Salford at the end of 2011 to join Wolves, said: “I know a lot of the players feel responsible for the way they’ve been playing and what has led to Phil’s sacking.

“They’re going to want to try and change things around.

“It’ll be their first home game under the changes that have been made and they’ll be looking to put in a big performance.

“We’ve got to react to that, step up our tempo really and not let them get that first win at home under new management.”

A loss for the Super League title favourites at Salford City stadium would be unthinkable though, surely?

“You’d think so, but we’d have probably said it was unthinkable to get beat at Hull KR (a fortnight ago),” said the 24-year-old utility back, who has figured at stand off in Wolves’ past four games.

“The way we’ve been playing recently isn’t doing us any favours.

“We like to play expansively and entertain the crowd but it’s not working at the moment.

“Too much possession has been turned over cheaply and we’ve been doing too much defending.

“And then when it comes to our attack it’s not there because we’re too tired from our defending.

“We know if we have an equal share of possession or a bit more, then we are going to win games.

“The past couple of weeks have been pretty frustrating for us all.

“We’ve got to put things right.”