What's so special about the Sheffield team,on paper ?
Their half backs were fit and on the field. They have played together and combine well.
They play behind a big, rough, and ruthless pack who set out to dominate our pack from the off. Referees permit much more 'working on the floor' these days adding to the domination. We have never tried this tactic, maybe we need to learn!!
Their defence isn't unbeatable but they rely on their power pack to keep up the pressure.
I think the likes of sheff, batley,even dewsbury now and maybe fax have the advantage over us as the number of players available within 20 miles is far greater than around Widnes.
players don’t want/ can’t travel as often as would be required for training.
also sheff seem to have a knack of pulling in south sea island players
we know we need new faces at 6,8,11,12,13 but hopefully not 9
Sheffield can sign south sea islanders but we can't get players to come from Yorkshire ?
But we signed PNG players then could get rid quickly enough, and one scored against us last week!
I don’t know why the excuse of the bigger player pool in Yorkshire keeps getting trotted out. More players but also far more clubs competing for their services. We should be the best option for north west based part time players and players dropping out of NW based SL clubs as well.
Because there are more PT players in Yorkshire there are more SL teams there, more PT teams and more amateur teams
and we are probably the best PT option in NW - other teams, swinton, Oldham,Rochdale, NW crusaders?
oh sorry and dire
@mt I personally think its an excuse by the more biased section of our fan base who'd rather say that than criticise the clubs poor recruitment. As Sinbad says, if Sheffield can get people to come from the Pacific, surely we can get someone to drive from Halifax?.
Players and their agents will always opt for the biggest payout and we are being careful to only spend what we know we have in the bank.
Experiencing Administration was no joke and can you honestly criticise our Board, who were much closer than any writing on this site, for being very careful not to go there again?
Next time the club would close its doors never return.
@sandgroper if we're only spending what we have in the bank, having CH around behind the scenes, with his poor track record in all matters financial, may not be a good idea.
Seems like we have appointed a bad egg in Hamilton. Not heard anyone say he is a top bloke. 😂🙈
Sheffield is a fair distance from West Yorkshire where most of the players are based.
Also 5 of the top 7 SL sides are from the North West, we should be able to pick up good former academy players that don't quite make the SL grade, are a bit older and are offered a good career opportunity, teaching, plumbing etc Wigan and Saints produce lots of good local players, as do we but sadly the best now sign for Saints.
@mt I personally think its an excuse by the more biased section of our fan base who'd rather say that than criticise the clubs poor recruitment. As Sinbad says, if Sheffield can get people to come from the Pacific, surely we can get someone to drive from Halifax?.
They don't have to travel each way three or four times a week to train and play!
@sunny No they don't, they travel halfway across the world without the majority of their families to an environment completely at odds with where they live. I can see why it's more inconvenient driving across the pennines a few times a week.....
It's just the Pennines Sunny,not the Himalayas.As previously said,its just another excuse for Widnes being lousy again.And a poor excuse at that.