Roby had decent game again, Tyrer and Holroyd partnership awful in defence.
Some shocking decisions by the ref. 2 forward passes in Barrow try and Tyrer's sin binning was a joke. Ritson didn't have the ball, Tyrer got a leg to the ball then ran straight through him. He was correct though for no try decision in the corner. Ince pulled the arm when the player was in the air causing a fumble.
Need to use the cup week off to get players back from injury and work on defence. Wingers need to be told to stay on their wing. We don't play an umbrella defence, we slide so there is no excuse for wingers particularly Holroyd to continually rush in allowing tries like Ritson scored tonight.
@brenjm Agree that there were some poor refereeing decisions, but overall we were beaten by a better team on the night. Our defence was poor throughout the game.
Some difficult games coming up. York and Newcastle away and Leigh and Batley at home. If we play like we did tonight, we could lose all four games
@brenjm Agree that there were some poor refereeing decisions, but overall we were beaten by a better team on the night. Our defence was poor throughout the game.
Some difficult games coming up. York and Newcastle away and Leigh and Batley at home. If we play like we did tonight, we could lose all four games
I totally agree, our defence was appalling. Sorry but for me Holroyd was our weak link tonight.
I'd be trying Roby out there once Owens returns.
@brenjm Agree that there were some poor refereeing decisions, but overall we were beaten by a better team on the night. Our defence was poor throughout the game.
Some difficult games coming up. York and Newcastle away and Leigh and Batley at home. If we play like we did tonight, we could lose all four games
I totally agree, our defence was appalling. Sorry but for me Holroyd was our weak link tonight.
I'd be trying Roby out there once Owens returns.
I’ve said every time I’ve seen Holroyd that he’s not good enough for us.
He doesn’t make enough meters, not good enough under the high ball and was exposed in defence tonight. His main asset is his pace- and we don’t use that
So, a fortnight to recover, get Jack & Danny back to fitness.
Farnworth spent a good 30 minutes running before tonight's game so he is pretty fit.
Kenny will be up and ready after a rest.
Now we have been shown where our weaknesses are we need to plug them.
Then another two week recovery ready for Newcastle.
Heads up and go again!!
@brenjm Some bad decisions in the game but Barrow just about deserved it. Their forwards made more ground than ours & Sammut & Meloudi ran the show. Doro, Lawton & Dupree were stopped dead in their tracks. Holroyd cannot tackle but our line defence wide out both sides is awful. As most of us feared the lack of big seasoned props is costing us against sides that have them. We need to regroup & work on the weaknesses fast.
Agree with most of what has been said … outperformed by a better team on the night, and Barrow definitely got the rub-of-the-green from a poor referee.
I wonder if the Leigh cup game affected the players confidence tonight?
In their three previous league games Barrow scored 14 v Newcastle, 18 v Whitehaven and 22 v Sheffield.Tonight they almost doubled that average with 34 against Widnes.
Big moment was the unnecessary offload just before half time that allowed Barrow to get the ball and get it back to 18-16. There would have been a different feel to the game if we started 8 up in the 2nd half.
That being said I thought we lacked composure and the Barrow Half Backs played ours off the park.
Some of last year's failings creeping in with a beaten pack and poor 2nd half. Hope its a blip not a reversion back to type. Kenny Baker and Owen Farmworth were missed as much as Craven and Owens IMO.
Reserve judgment on Gregory as it's his first match but with Holroyd I think the difference between Top of L1 and middle of Championship is showing... a bit like the trouble his former club are having.
Yet again a strange use of a sub in Tilleke.
Ref was poor at times, particularly with the Barrow try that made it 26-18, clearly forward....not the decisive factor but irritating!
Some very curious decisions there tonight. I’ll look forward to watching the repeat on Freesports tomorrow just to see if that first try on our left wing was in touch - Tyrer certainly thought so! If it was, then their late try with two forwards passes means we should have won, even before we look at the dodgy penalty which gave them two points and our disallowed try!
I was complying about the ref when we were winning btw as he had Tyrer in his sights from his complaints about that try!
Really annoyed me tonight though! Ref destroyed us and the players let him rattle them!
I also noticed that Grady came back on in the second half and went straight back off again. Possible pull?
It’s going to be a long season ahead but hopefully with players returning and a week off we will get some results. I predicted 4/5th but be lucky to make playoffs if we play like that
Widnes lose first league game, to another unbeaten team....
MELTDOWN!
The Ref robbed us, Holroyd can't tackle, etc etc etc.
Get a grip Lads!
Someone start another 'We need at least another 2 big Props' thread.
Paulie xx
@geoffw As long as it's close but in our favour I don't really care!
I think there will be a backlash from last week and we'll have a good win.
Well, I was wrong about the "backlash" and "good win".
We started well, then the ref took over. I'm not sure if he was biased or just inept, however seriously I thought he cost us the game.
Hakin Mikoudi had a great game, a real thorn in our side all evening, as was Mr Worsley.
Jack Owens came and chatted in the boxes before the game; said that he, Craven and Farnworth should be fit for the York game.
@pauliewalnuts I wouldn’t say meltdowns more like people expressing their concerns over what was a poor game from the ref and poor game from our players or worse yet that’s their level.
He always posts 'meltdown' on here when we lose, needs some new material.
It's just how fans react after a defeat.All fans of all clubs.