I’d agree with Clough as MOM, thought Grady, Owens, Cross and Doro (apart from the sinbin incident) acquitted themselves well.
We were unlucky to lose three forwards who would have made the 17 and it almsot certainly cost us the win but I’d still be concerned we don’t have enough forwards in the squad whilst we have numerous spare outside backs not getting in the side.
I’d agree with Clough as MOM, thought Grady, Owens, Cross and Doro (apart from the sinbin incident) acquitted themselves well. We were unlucky to lose three forwards who would have made the 17 and it almsot certainly cost us the win but I’d still be concerned we don’t have enough forwards in the squad whilst we have numerous spare outside backs not getting in the side.
This has been concerning all pre season. Cannot believe we’ve gone into the season with this squad. It’s miles off where we need to be, quality and quantity wise.
Presumably Wire won’t let Doro play next week, which will leave us with 2 available props in our 4th game of the season. Not good enough.
The club have had 3 opportunities to put together a championship quality squad and we still haven’t got it right.
We lost Leuluai, Chapelhow x2, Wilde, Moran from a pack last season that was deemed not good enough.
We've added Clough, Cook and Jewitt (not even seen yet), plus Lawton. Even in simple terms, we're down one on numbers; two if you consider Jewitt isn't available.
Outside backs, there's only really Edge, Hatton and Roby who haven't played? So we're only a couple of injuries from being thin there.
Entering the season with only one hooker in the squad (who is injured) is a nightmare; but the player market and recruitment is extremely tough. You only have to look at what Leigh have had to do to bring players in and that's in Super League.
Newcastle's starting hooker yesterday was an 18yo on loan from Salford.
Widnes need to find a way of withdrawing from next weekend's cup tie without receiving punishment. And I am serious.
Widnes need to find a way of withdrawing from next weekend’s cup tie without receiving punishment. And I am serious.
I agree with this.
Whats the point in it? We will get annihilated.
Widnes need to find a way of withdrawing from next weekend’s cup tie without receiving punishment. And I am serious.
The best way would have been losing in the last round... (although of course that would have prevented us reaching 1895 Cup semi finals)
Be interesting to know the prize money impact on both of those things.
I suppose being in the 1895 keeps an extra bit of interest to the season.....
I bet the stream uptake won't be great for the game v Salford anyway!
The best we can hope for is a sympathetic approach from Salford, resting some first team players and just coasting the win in second gear, by 30 points.
Not sure if Salford can afford to take it easy against us, and rest some of their players. They have been beaten easily in both of the games they have played so far this season .
Admittedly they should win easily, but if we can score a good try early on, then perhaps get a lucky one, Salford will start to panic, after their early season form, and perhaps only half the first team playing.
Widnes need to find a way of withdrawing from next weekend’s cup tie without receiving punishment. And I am serious.
Why? They are no different to other lower league or amateur teams drawn against SL teams. All Widnes can do is put out their best team on the day and hope that they can put up a decent display and that there are no further injuries. I suspect that Salford will give a game to a few squad players, but a hammering is all we can expect.
If the club have gone into the season with a small squad, it is there fault and I would think the club would be rightly criticised and possibly fined if we withdraw simply because we think we are not good enough. Reminds me on kids skulking off because they are losing!!!
It may be different if more players come down with covid and we are unable to put out a team. We need to bring in a few loan players to boost the squad. Perhaps easier said than done.
Covid may strike again this week which could kill our squad numbers. Of course it could hit any club too including Salford.
In truth its a game we don't want just now. The number of injuries throughout the game is a worry anyway. Clubs with top level conditioners and physios are having trouble, probably due simply to lack of physical contact for a year!
The number of injuries isn’t that high. The problem is the size of the squad in the first place. If you don’t have academy or reserves you need a bigger first team squad
Absolutely spot on spider, and you have to remember where most of our salary goes, one is walking wounded and may not play this season
“one is walking wounded and may not play this season”
Any chance of his older brother Sam covering for him?
As far as the Salford game is concerned, we will presumably be forced into playing the likes of Clough who we desperately need to be fit for a must win against Dewsbury.
Also, the hooker situation: we are one injury away from catastrophe there.
I would rest Owens, Roby needs game time and is a decent full back.
Not sure it is going to be good for the young lads' development getting a tonking by a SL side who will physically be a lot stronger, let alone skill wise.
Maybe see 2 or 3 emergency loans for Dewsbury?