Phil Veivers will be happy to let his Salford Reds players do most of his talking in 2012.

Veivers, an Australian who succeeds his outspoken and often volatile countryman Matt Parish as Salford’s new head coach, is a deep thinker with a reputation for keeping his cards and his emotions close to his chest.

His style of leadership will be in stark contrast to Parish’s often combative style.

This will, no doubt, be welcomed by chairman John Wilkinson, who this week spoke in private to the club’s administrative staff explaining why things simply hadn’t worked out for Parish.

Wilkinson now wants total backing for Veivers – a laid back character who is experienced, hungry and most importantly supported by the players.

Veivers, who was Parish’s number two and held the reigns as caretaker coach before his appointment, told MEN Sport: “There will be no broad statements from me.

“My thought pattern is for us to improve and to keep improving on a weekly basis. If so, we will get to where we want to be.

“I have waited a long time for this opportunity - I am delighted and honoured. I plan for every post to be a winner.

“We are pretty tight, we all have to work together and we are working well. Training is going very well and it’s an important season for us.”

Parish has, as expected, been appointed the assistant coach at Manly and during his meeting with staff this week, Wilkinson revealed his anger at an incident during the Parish reign when the coach sent him a late night text criticising the quality of young players coming through the ranks.

Veivers, though, prefers to look ahead. Salford will kick off the new Super League season at Barton at home to Castleford.

Veivers added: “I am happy with the fixtures, I’d seen the draft and the first month is a pretty tidy draw, it’s certainly better than last year and a good start is vital.”

The Castleford game will be screened live and Kate Parkinson, the club’s communication director, said: “TV coverage puts us at the forefront for the stadium to be a major focal point in attracting more supporters to get behind us.”

Football Director Steve Simms added: “You can’t ask for any more and it’s a good game for us to launch the new stadium – hopefully we will hit the ground running.”

Meanwhile, Veivers reports that NRL signing Joel Moon is on course to be fit for the start of the season following ankle surgery, saying: “The reports we are getting back are very positive.”

Speculation is still rife of the New Year seeing a possible cross code challenge match at Barton between Salford Reds and Sale Sharks.

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