Matt Parish was due back in the UK today from Australia. The tough little straight-talking Sydney street fighter will resume charge as Salford Reds head coach with all guns blazing.

The question on fans’ lips is will he finish the job that he started towards the end of last season? Only time will tell.

Parish, who pulls no punches, has already put noses out of joint with his direct style and deflated quite a few egos.

Many fans immediately pinned their allegiances to Parish. One banner at The Willows confirmed the groundswell of support on the terraces for Parish. It read: ‘In Matt We Trust’.

But the big chiefs are possibly not as accommodating as the people on the terraces.

Parish’s style has already upset some powers-that-be. His passion and commitment is total – and he firmly believes with the right kind of backing he can pull Salford up.

The club’s move to Barton will not be easy but Parish is particularly excited to be bringing Sean Long on board as his assistant alongside the experienced Phil Veivers.

Long should bring a refreshing ambience to the entire camp.

The players are duty-bound to do their bit by responding to Parish’s directives. Those falling short of expectation probably need to be shipped out.

This is where football director Steve Simms can earn his spurs by replacing any dead wood with a hungrier product.

If Parish does stay for the long haul he will, no doubt, continue courting controversy and hitting out when least expected. If he does, what’s the problem? United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been doing this kind of thing for years but it’s still brought success.

In rugby league circles, such an approach was an adrenalin surge for the likes of Alex Murphy and, latterly, Ellery Hanley.

Parish must be allowed to do things his way if Salford are to move with the times and really become an established force within Super League.

If not, then who could blame any coach worth his salt for jumping ship?

Those close to Parish realise just how keen he is to make a go of things at Salford. Chairman John Wilkinson has confirmed this to outside sources. Parish has a fine knowledge – a desire to succeed. He also has a willingness to help his players but he must have total control and no interference.

The pressure is already on Parish to deliver. Salford have to hit the ground running at Barton. Plans are in place to bolster the fan base, to raise the bar and to increase standards - both on and off the field.

Parish is very much the conductor of the orchestra.

He will, no doubt, continue to tell it how he sees it.

Maybe it’s something club officials simply have to live with and maybe just 25 months under the rule of Matt Parish could be enough to put the pride back in the Salford City Reds.

The fans have longed for a coach who wears his heart on his sleeve. Parish definitely does this and if he is given time and support then a few stripes could also be added to his heated and often volatile exterior.

He will crack the whip and he will call the shots in his own inimitable style.

He’s worked with the best and, from today, Salford should know where they stand as they prepare for the dawn of what could be a potentially exciting new and no doubt eventful and colourful era.

Parish has not been in charge long but already he has made people sit up and take note.

His return is welcome but speculation remains rife as to just how long he will be in town doing what he thinks is best not for himself but for his players and a club he cares greatly for. Tweet