I think I just about prefer people complaining when we win a little bit more than people complaining when we lose.
@ditton-donkey happy to be wrong.It is a rarity though,Widnes winning from a deficit.
Or winning at all!
Thought Lawton had a good game at prop. I've long thought he would be best utilised at 13.
I still think one thing that's costing us is a lack of rotation at 9. London had Davis and Parata buzzing around for the whole of the first half and it caused us problems. Ironically, although they spelled Davis, they left Parata on and he tired towards the end.
A few lucky bounces off kicks got us the win in the end, and that's all that matters really.
Have been saying about the hooking role for a long time, another thing that costs us games is the sub rotation today it was 50 mins before either Grady or Lyons came on when Doro was injured Farnworth who had not long been subbed was back on, totally agree about Lawton. Matty Smith should be playing at loose as he has excelled there in the past, Brown is not worth a place in the team. we are still playing kamikaze rugby trying to score from the first or second play and loosing possession instead of building pressure.
Ince is still a liability in defence doesn't know how to hold the line which is costing us a lot of points.
A good comeback for the win but London where dire but they did the basics correctly
The rotation at 9 won't be a problem next year, we've already signed a hooker from a Super League club that will go down very well on this board. 😉
Surprised Kenny Baker hasn't got a mention, I thought his impact off the bench was very good. Whilst we're critical of the first half, it's perhaps a 15-20 minute spell where we completely switched off and London scored their tries.
Whilst Lawton is a real handful with the ball, he's caught defensively as a middle and should be playing back row. He had much more intent this weekend attacking, needs to work harder in defence.
Craven non-existant in the first half, but showed his quality in the second. His 40/20 basically won us the game in the end. A lot of luck involved as Dixon's try was ridiculously forward.
Still struggle with why Ince was brought back to the club, he has errors in him as does Dixon now. Is Brookes out for the season?
So what happened with the ref giving us a pen just before the hooter sounded for HT and then he blew up when it went off? Isn’t the rule that if you’ve awarded it (and it was eminently kickable about 10-20m out) he should have allowed it to happen? Even saw Bob Beswick question him on it when they walked off?
That would’ve reduced the halftime deficit to 10 pts (I know in the end that didn’t matter) but again shows poor form from refs in this division. Do they make it up as they go along???
If the penalty was "awarded" for off side at the drop out I'm pretty sure the hooter sounded before the ball was kicked.
I agree James KO was down Lawton’s throat but he to me did not look like he was catching it, his arm were not out as to suggest he was catching it. Ince was moving towards the ball with arms out with the intent to catch it. Should be a clear call to own the catch which from what we saw wasn’t made or the players ignored it.
I agree Ince and Dixon both have mistakes in them going forward as does Lawton. Loose carry the main issue.
As for our wingers they are pulled in leaving overlaps ever single week it embarrassing they cannot sort this out. They are either compressed infield too much, the centre jumps out forcing the winger to then come in or the winger jumps out to hit the centre leaving the opposition winger a free run to the line. Teams don’t even have to work to get the overlap it’s shocking. Holroyd was lambasted earlier in the season for this.
it’s so obvious and should be simple fix with some work in training yet it’s still the same.
Way too many players having 20mins rest during a match it matters. Even London who aren’t great (nor are we) run up points during this better teams score twice as many points as London in this lapsed timeline meaning more loses. They need to be playing for 80mins every week, if they can’t be arsed to do this then ask to leave the club because I and I’m sure other supporters would rather PAY to watch players putting in 100% for 80 mins every week than half of a team playing half heartedly for 50-60 mins if we’re lucky and then stand watching a games pass them by.
There were 2 forward passes in the lead up to Dixon’s try they were so bad I didn’t even register who scored as I was convinced the last one (2 metres forward) was going to be given. The TJ stood still right inline with where it happened as if he was given it then he jogged to the corner and ref awarded the try. I can only assume he was overruled by the ref or was to scared to stand his ground, laughable. I understand closed flat passes can go either way but 2 metres forward should be pulled everytime.
So what happened with the ref giving us a pen just before the hooter sounded for HT and then he blew up when it went off? Isn’t the rule that if you’ve awarded it (and it was eminently kickable about 10-20m out) he should have allowed it to happen? Even saw Bob Beswick question him on it when they walked off?
That would’ve reduced the halftime deficit to 10 pts (I know in the end that didn’t matter) but again shows poor form from refs in this division. Do they make it up as they go along???
Strange one that. The hooter did sound just before the kick was made. I thought initially that maybe the referee got confused that the hooter had gone for a shot clock violation, and that's why he awarded the penalty, before realising that it was actually for half time.
Yes, Currently plying his trade in Humberside. alongside another former half back currently flying with Batley. 😉
@widiot Heard Johnstone myself, would be a good signing and good intent from the club. Hopefully more to come.
So what happened with the ref giving us a pen just before the hooter sounded for HT and then he blew up when it went off? Isn’t the rule that if you’ve awarded it (and it was eminently kickable about 10-20m out) he should have allowed it to happen? Even saw Bob Beswick question him on it when they walked off?
That would’ve reduced the halftime deficit to 10 pts (I know in the end that didn’t matter) but again shows poor form from refs in this division. Do they make it up as they go along???
Strange one that. The hooter did sound just before the kick was made. I thought initially that maybe the referee got confused that the hooter had gone for a shot clock violation, and that's why he awarded the penalty, before realising that it was actually for half time.
I spoke to Pat Cluskey (Timekeeper) at half time just after it happened.
He said that when the ball went dead behind the line there was only 15 seconds left on the clock. The ref then waved play back on and London took their time taking the drop out. They have 25 seconds before a shot clock violation would be penalised, all London had to do was wait for 15 seconds and because the hooter had already gone, the ref was able to blow the whistle for half time even though London hadn't taken the drop out. They just happened to drop out after the ref called an end to the half.
- The ref doesn't call time it is the time keeper. The hooter went before they dropped out it's not complicated.
A win’s a win. We did well to come back in the second half when London tired. Two poor teams I guess, but just about deserved the win with our second half performance.
Maybe Kear has brought in the new tactic to avoid taking an early lead, fall behind and then make a glorious comeback. It worked for Barrow and Sheffield against us!!
I thought that Grady had a good game and Lawton played well at prop. I agree with others about not having Hulme on the bench. I really can’t understand having Lyons on the bench, unless he was the only other fit player available.
A good opportunity to grab a few wins in the coming games against Workington, Dewsbury and Newcastle. Onwards and upwards.
Why did the ref give a penalty to us then change his mind and blow for half time?
Did he definitely give a penalty or did it just appear that way as he blew for time? One thing I would argue is that a rule that allows a team that has conceded a drop out to run down the clock instead of having to put the ball in play is a daft one.