By Phil Gordos

Salford hooker Malcolm Alker is urging his team-mates not to rest easy after an impressive start to the 2005 season.

The Reds have won five of their first 10 matches, and Alker told BBC Sport: "We only won one of our first 11 games last season, so it's a big improvement.

"We haven't always played our best when we've won, so it's heartening to play poorly and still win.

"But our good start means absolutely nothing at the moment. There are still another 19 league games to go."

Alker has also hailed the impact that new signings Luke Robinson and David Hodgson have had on the Reds.

Both players were snapped up in the off-season after being surprisingly released by Wigan.

They are not going to lie down and say they are resigned to relegation, they are going to fight to the very end Malcolm Alker on the games against Widnes and Leigh

"They were wise picks and they've given an extra dimension to the squad," said Alker.

"They are quality players, who have worn international shirts, and they bring a wealth of experience even though they are both pretty young.

"Luke's in more of a key role than Hodgy, so it's perhaps taken him a little longer to adapt to the way we do things at Salford.

"It's a case of Luke adapting to the way we play rather than us adapting to him. But they have both slotted in really well."

Salford will expect to enhance their play-off hopes in the next fortnight when they take on Widnes and Leigh.

But Alker is not expecting an easy ride against the two bottom teams in Super League.

"They are not going to lie down and say they are resigned to relegation, they are going to fight to the very end," he said.

"And any team fighting for points is a dangerous team."