I'm waiting for someone to say we ought to sign Danny Addy....
Hopefully the next siignings are two big 2nd rowers and a number 6. Then a strike centre because this squad is not good enough.
Ollie Davies has signed a 1 year deal at Halifax. Good luck to the lad. Thought he was a tad unlucky not to get a deal here.
Paulie xx
Why does a squad need 4 specialist wingers?
Seeing the squad written down on paper I can’t believe how weak it is.
Coleman is going to be some coach if he gets us in the play offs.
We had five last season!
Some have bought in to the propaganda, and ultimately Coleman gets a clean slate as the new coach.
This will be the weakest squad on paper since relegation from Super League.
But the game isn't played on paper, and the strong-ish squads of previous years have failed to make the play-offs too.
With all due respect to Swinton, when you're looking at their recruitment drive with a little bit of envy, it shows how far Widnes have fallen.
Agree with the comment about Spencer-Tonks too - been excellent whenever I've seen him, be it for Salford/their reserves or Whitehaven.
He has signed for Featherstone for 2024.I'm waiting for someone to say we ought to sign Danny Addy....
@geoffw he will be 33 next year so falls into the over 30s former SL bracket, glad we did not chase him
I had a tiny amount of optimism about the season ahead but wow we’ve really been assembling a league 1 team when you compare it to teams around us and there signings. Just look at Bradford for gods sake😂
I had a tiny amount of optimism about the season ahead but wow we’ve really been assembling a league 1 team when you compare it to teams around us and there signings. Just look at Bradford for gods sake😂
It is depressing reading. 😭🙈
I do agree that if there isn't a specialist running 6...another decent back rower and another decent prop incoming then this squad is most definitely looking it's weakest for the whole time we've been in the champ ...3 top end or just better than what's left championship players transforms that squad ..getting rid of your only running threat half and not replacing him with similar style is nothing short of wreckless and kamikaze ..gregson is obviously being seen as the spare ..which in itself is stupid ..he may have decent skills but he's a back rower ...a good one at that ...never a 6 and most certainly not anywhere near craven ...on that logic may aswel play field at full back or Kirk on the wing ....
Another way to look at the squad is that, in the pack, this is the first Championship pack that we have assembled. IT can be seen as a drop in our credibility but it also means that we have players slower but no less physically capable.
We have attempted, since our exit from SL, to play with the same style as we had in SL. At times it has paid off and we have scored brilliant tries and had big scores in our favour. But it was never consistent and coaches could see through our game, and where our weaknesses were, as AC has indicated.
We may not like that criticism but if we are honest we can all remember the bullying without a fightback.
Gilmore is more than capable of manipulating a pack and gaining field position. A speedy partner would be a bonus of course.
Our potential match winner, imo, is Fozzard. Give him regular quick ptb's and he will run wild. Hopefully JJ will fine down and recover his flair in support. But all of this hinges on our forwards supplying the ball on time. AC has chosen players that he knows and we can only hope that he is right!!!
We still need at least one half back reserve and more forward power may still be needed if we are to be consistent and be able to field a fit team every week.
What I will say for the sake of optimism is take a look at batley...no superstars or players on big wages ..moderate crowds ..small budget ..just very well coached ..very structured in what they do ..play off final and 1895 final past two seasons...ye just never know
Had another look at our TV game against Bradford. We were stretched for players and we had only Lawton and Farnworth of those leaving. This against Lawrence, Gaskell, Patton and a load of overseas imports etc.
Interesting when you look back!
Well the boss says we will compete so we'll just have to hope he is right.Be interesting to see what the bookmakers say because they will just look at the squad and take no notice of what the coach said to a room full of supporters.
Sandgroper, I think Davies played that day, but I take your point.
Everyone will have their own opinion, and I think that being better organised on the pitch will be the single biggest difference, it doesn't matter how good the players are if we are all over the shop, which we were at the start of last year. It got better after the change in coach but the damage was done. It was why teams could beat us with simple game plans, because we didn't have one and just relied on individuals.
This year, the front row looks significantly stronger, Lloyd, Wilde and Field look good in the back row, add in Bent who might play LF with at least one more addition. The backs look good with competition for places. Halfback numbers are a concern, it only takes an injury or suspension and we are back to shuffling around.
An other signing announced at six tonight and the way it reads seems like a NEW player. Let’s hope👍