@pascal I don’t blame him, having lived in Australia myself in the past I know where I’d rather be and it ain’t the banks of the Mersey
I think most, if not all, welcomed the appointment of John Kear. His experience and success in the game and, particularly as a coach, made him ideal for the job. I recall that it was also accepted that he would be strong enough to ensure that he got his way on the playing front, subject to finances.
On this basis, I believe that players we have signed and retained - and those yet to be announced - have met with his agreement or on his recommendation.
Do posters really think that he would agree to bring in players just because they are “Finney’s mates” or “Widnes lads”? My guess is that he would walk away if players were forced on him, who he thought would not improve the squad.
Do posters really believe that we have retained and brought in players who only want to be “comfortable”? Come on. Gilmore has been one of the best half-backs in the Championship in recent years and has been brought in to improve the squad. Craven and Owens have been our better players in recent years and, whilst form can go up and down, they still retain the talent. Do we really believe that these two players are not good enough or not giving 100% in every game? It would be great if we had a massive squad and a reserve team, where replacement players can simply be drafted in and a player coming back from injury could have a few games in the reserves, but we don’t.
I am prepared to put my faith in the Club and Kear to build a squad capable of finishing in the play-offs in 2023 and maybe higher, within the budget at its disposal. It would be great if we could bring in half a dozen NRL players to have a SL squad in the Championship, but this is not going to happen.
Like many others, I am rather underwhelmed at the signings to date, but prepared to give the Club and Kear the chance to prove me wrong and look forward to a successful 2023 season for the Club and an enjoyable season for the fans.
@pascal I don’t blame him, having lived in Australia myself in the past I know where I’d rather be and it ain’t the banks of the Mersey
Your missing the point in my message why as fans we bang on about players from Widnes. I don't give a fudge where they from if win us games. Too much sentiment on players like Gilmore, Owens and Tilleke because Widnes lads. Read the rest it was a dig at players don't care, as the best ones are playing Super league, and fans even if crunchie want them to be picked.
Ant Walker was slow, fat and looked knackered all the time. That Bradford fan was correct. Fozzard and Evans look good and I liked Ralph from Wales.
Walker did 2 runs, 1 tackle and had his hands on his hips after 1 minute 39 seconds. He looked like a Union prop from 1976 😆
Walker did 2 runs, 1 tackle and had his hands on his hips after 1 minute 39 seconds. He looked like a Union prop from 1976 😆
I have to say he didn't inspire me with any confidence. I didn't put a watch on the length of time he was on the pitch, would estimate he came off after 10 mins then returned with 10 mins to go. Didn't make any line breaks at all.
He needs to get much much fitter before he makes our match day squad.
The Welsh no. 10 had a far better game than Walker.
Yes wasn’t impressed with walker either
Well we don't want to knock a player before he has even pulled on a Widnes shirt but last night he wasn't impressive,to say the least.Looked to me like he had to concentrate all his efforts in just keeping pace with the game.
Walker did 2 runs, 1 tackle and had his hands on his hips after 1 minute 39 seconds. He looked like a Union prop from 1976 😆
I have to say he didn't inspire me with any confidence. I didn't put a watch on the length of time he was on the pitch, would estimate he came off after 10 mins then returned with 10 mins to go. Didn't make any line breaks at all.
He needs to get much much fitter before he makes our match day squad.
The Welsh no. 10 had a far better game than Walker.
Yeah agree the No10 was decent and played more minutes. Needs a lot of time on a treadmill and shed some pounds Ant Walker
Our coach did a good job with a team of underdogs, bookies were giving wales 24 points, and they could have easily got a draw last night. Let’s hope he has the same effect on the Widnes team of underdogs next season!
@pascal I know that the details of Doro going to Fax are not public knowledge regarding contract offers , work / rugby balance etc, but Doro aways used to say how much he enjoyed being at Widnes. It would be verging on criminal if Eribe would have stayed with us and we could not have put a deal together.
Any coach worth his salt would be crying in his porridge if he was given Walker and had Doro taken away.
I know it is all iffs and buts, (and a very substantial butt in Walkers case )regarding assembling a squad, but unless Walker is going on a superhuman fitness and conditioning crusade in the next three months, I can not see him offering anything to the team.
Neither Evans nor Walker looked up to much in last night's game. Let's hope that Kear sees something in them that me and others on here are missing.
It's OK having a wrecking ball prop who is brought on for 10 minutes in each half, but Walker just seemed to be floundering about, making no breaks and missing tackles. He stood out on the pitch because he looked totally out of his depth and unfit.
My confidence for 2023 has diminished after that performance.
I agree that all stops should have been taken to retain Doro.
It's OK having a wrecking ball prop who is brought on for 10 minutes in each half, but Walker just seemed to be floundering about, making no breaks and missing tackles. He stood out on the pitch because he looked totally out of his depth and unfit.
And because of his undies.
Neither Evans nor Walker looked up to much in last night's game. Let's hope that Kear sees something in them that me and others on here are missing.
It's OK having a wrecking ball prop who is brought on for 10 minutes in each half, but Walker just seemed to be floundering about, making no breaks and missing tackles. He stood out on the pitch because he looked totally out of his depth and unfit.
My confidence for 2023 has diminished after that performance.
I agree that all stops should have been taken to retain Doro.
Welcome to the real world after all these year Frank! Finney has been behind the signings the last couple of years, similar to how it worked under James RULE. KEAR was one of the few in the game prepared to work under him, KEAR does not have carte blanch over signings. Henderson was linked with us but stated he was happy at KEIGHLEY but left them for YORK. KEAR at his age was hardly going to turn us down even if it meant working under FINNEY.
Again, as I've said before, FINNEY need to be accountable, this season needs to be an improvement, or he needs to fall on his sword, and looking at this squad I can't see an improvement coming any time soon.
A collective thumbs up from the board, Finney & Kear to sign Walker, tells you all we need to know about the state / ambition of our club