Nene Macdonald admits new attitude to English life brings best out for Salford

NENE Macdonald is back in the city he played in facing his former club – this time it is different.

This time he is enjoying life in England.

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Papua New Guinea ace Macdonald is showing his class after moving to the Red Devils from Leeds, who took him from Leigh.

Now as he looks to haunt the Leopards, he admits he let frustrations at being on the other side of the world – and when the weather is bad – get on top of him.

And boss Paul Rowley is seeing the benefits of his accepting that, as well as allowing him to play how he wants.

Macdonald, 30, said: “Over the last two seasons I was looking at it through a wrong lens. I was a bit more annoyed with it instead of embracing it. Now I’ve a better lens and not missing home as much.

“When you don’t know where anything is or where to go, it’s quite confusing. Now I know, it makes it enjoyable and Salford make it enjoyable.

“And when you enjoy living here more, you enjoy playing here more. It’s been about embracing the place.

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“It’s bringing more out of me. Paul has given me the green light to express myself on the field, taking the number off my back and letting me do my thing.

“And the more I’m involved, the better I play.”

Macdonald has had a history lesson in Salford after meeting former chairman John Wilkinson – he needed no teaching about the level of passion on the terraces, which he jumped on after their last home match against Leeds.

But he has an eye on glory in the immediate future, starting with beating Leigh at Elland Road today.

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He added: “We’re aiming higher than just the top six. We can really have a strong run until the end of the season.

“We’ve the players to do it, the coaching staff. We’ve just got to put it on the field.

“And Elland Road’s cool. Every football stadium I’ve been to is quite amazing and they look after the pitches. I think I’m in the wrong sport!”