Just a question really....we all know what we want to see in the front row but what's peoples opinions on the 7 and 9 jerseys next season.....at 7 do we stick with Joe lyons..does matty Smith go back there or do we go fresh with a new player..let's say a josh woods (whose been a thorn in our side numerous times recently)....similarly with hooker ...pretty evident logan Tompkins will be a non runner ....does Lewis else get the nod or hulme....or again look for a fresh face ....being hyperthetical as ofc we don't know the situation of the above players for 2022...but why not debate anyway ...
Need a 7 who 'runs the show' and leads the team around the pitch. Easier said than done.
Need a good 9 to get anywhere. Feel a more experienced 9 is needed as 1st choice.
Is Else not a SH really; if he is still here I wouldn't be averse to see him given a go....in fact if he is fit between now and the end why not give him a few games there?
Just a question really….we all know what we want to see in the front row but what’s peoples opinions on the 7 and 9 jerseys next season…..at 7 do we stick with Joe lyons..does matty Smith go back there or do we go fresh with a new player..let’s say a josh woods (whose been a thorn in our side numerous times recently)….similarly with hooker …pretty evident logan Tompkins will be a non runner ….does Lewis else get the nod or hulme….or again look for a fresh face ….being hyperthetical as ofc we don’t know the situation of the above players for 2022…but why not debate anyway …
Well
We have a super league quality number 7 who has been paying 13 and making 50 odd tackles a game whilst a 6 foot 7 in forward pounces about on the fringes.
So I'd have Smith at 7
Lewis else is excellent but I'd personally like a more experienced 9 who can run the show..
Liam Hood and Bradley O'Neil have been our best 9's in recent years and of course Danny walker who left for the wolves
Logan would be ideal if he was fit
So it may be that we go for an aussie or kiwi import at 9, although that may mean a 45 grand salary etc.
Why is a SL quality scrum half playing for Widnes at this level.Wouldn't he be at a SL club ?
Just a question really….we all know what we want to see in the front row but what’s peoples opinions on the 7 and 9 jerseys next season…..at 7 do we stick with Joe lyons..does matty Smith go back there or do we go fresh with a new player..let’s say a josh woods (whose been a thorn in our side numerous times recently)….similarly with hooker …pretty evident logan Tompkins will be a non runner ….does Lewis else get the nod or hulme….or again look for a fresh face ….being hyperthetical as ofc we don’t know the situation of the above players for 2022…but why not debate anyway …
Well We have a super league quality number 7 who has been paying 13 and making 50 odd tackles a game whilst a 6 foot 7 in forward pounces about on the fringes. So I’d have Smith at 7 Lewis else is excellent but I’d personally like a more experienced 9 who can run the show.. Liam Hood and Bradley O’Neil have been our best 9’s in recent years and of course Danny walker who left for the wolves Logan would be ideal if he was fit So it may be that we go for an aussie or kiwi import at 9, although that may mean a 45 grand salary etc.
We don’t.
In the few games he’s played 7 for us, he hasn’t even looked Championship quality.
If Else is fit for the last few games we could do worse than give him a run at scrum half and see how he does. He’s done well at hooker considering his inexperience and that it is not his first choice position, obviously has talent.
Why is a SL quality scrum half playing for Widnes at this level.Wouldn’t he be at a SL club ?
Correct. Matt Smith was a SL quality scrum half about 5 or. 6 years ago.
It’s not his fault, the ravages of time catch up with everyone but surely we need to assess what we have now (and not ifs and buts) if we are going to know what we need, as opposed to what we want.
Whoever comes into these positions, or for arguments sake stays there, the kicking game needs to be improved significantly.
Maybe part of it is off the back of a losing pack, but how many negative kicks do we put in at the end of sets?
I wonder what the score is with Roden; is he an option for next year as O'Neill seems to have usurped him in the Wigan pecking order?
Whoever comes into these positions, or for arguments sake stays there, the kicking game needs to be improved significantly. Maybe part of it is off the back of a losing pack, but how many negative kicks do we put in at the end of sets? I wonder what the score is with Roden; is he an option for next year as O’Neill seems to have usurped him in the Wigan pecking order?
Plus that Wigan have let another budding '9' go!
Else was a bright spot at acting half, and we have missed that spark. If we are successful in hunting for a bigger pack, plus signing bright young props, Else should have a platform to work from, unlike Roden atm. He is physically stronger now than when he started and deserves a run to show what he can do.
The lack of forward progress seems to have knocked the spirit out of Danny Craven. Hopefully he will recover with the new season.
Similarly is the captaincy having an adverse effect on Jack Owens? He was an inspiration early season but the forward trauma seem to have stifled his game. I have no worries about his ability but he has to learn to still play his game, he can't do everything!!!
Based on what I have seen of Roden (in an admittedly limited number of games so far) he hasn’t made a serious impact at all. Lewis Hulme looks the better of the two hookers currently being spelled there. Maybe Roden has more to come but I wouldn’t be rushing to sign him on the available evidence.
Why is signing Roden even a question he has played two games, made very little or no impact, you can’t just sign players for the sake of it.
Matty Smith is too out of shape to be a half back now and presently, I would be looking to get rid. He hasn’t performed at all this season.
Owens should be played in the halves, he is better suited.
Why is signing Roden even a question he has played two games, made very little or no impact, you can’t just sign players for the sake of it. Matty Smith is too out of shape to be a half back now and presently, I would be looking to get rid. He hasn’t performed at all this season. Owens should be played in the halves, he is better suited.
Says you but in reality he isn't.
I wouldn't be signing Roden personally all I am saying is considering he is on loan with us atm, are the club considering him as a potential option for next year too?
We have had players on loan in the past e.g. Pickersgill, who have then turned into permanent signings the following year.
Can't see that Roden is a better bet than Hulme or Else tbh. Either or both need to be judged behind a much better pack first.
It seems as if we are, as usual, spinning out 'signings' to generate interest. The quicker the better for me, to generate optimism!