Not bothered about the reserves in the slightest; but worried about where we will be in 5-10 years without the academy.
It at least gave us some sort of USP and reason for being.
We've played four games and virtually every single player we've got has played - think only two (and Tomkins) haven't.
We've got a squad of 26. That was 22 + the four young lads from the reserves. I think the reality is we should maybe have had a squad of 25/26 before the four lads from the reserves joined the picture.
That being said, it's a no win situation. You run an academy with the associated costs, and the likes of Fev/York/Swinton etc can spend whatever they like on a first team without having to run one.
In
Not bothered about the reserves in the slightest; but worried about where we will be in 5-10 years without the academy. It at least gave us some sort of USP and reason for being. We’ve played four games and virtually every single player we’ve got has played – think only two (and Tomkins) haven’t. We’ve got a squad of 26. That was 22 + the four young lads from the reserves. I think the reality is we should maybe have had a squad of 25/26 before the four lads from the reserves joined the picture. That being said, it’s a no win situation. You run an academy with the associated costs, and the likes of Fev/York/Swinton etc can spend whatever they like on a first team without having to run one.[/quote
The loss of academies shows a shrinking game tbh, and our game managers are orchestrating, rather than protecting the pathway for youth into the game generally.
To concede 68 points against anyone is simply not good enough. Look at Swinton yesterday, Jesus wept, if Salford put near 70 on us, imagine what that rabble down the could have done. I must admit I thought we would (at the very least) have waltzed into the playoffs at the start of the season, I am genuinely worried that we won’t even do that!
The Academy never produced any real world beaters IMO. The stellar amateurs from the town all signed for our rivals, Harry Smith, etc are lured away to more professionally run clubs. We can't compete. I think we are destined for a long stint in the lower leagues, until someone wins the Euromillions, and goes mental with their winnings.
Suck it up.
Paulie xx
To concede 68 points against anyone is simply not good enough. Look at Swinton yesterday, Jesus wept, if Salford put near 70 on us, imagine what that rabble down the could have done. I must admit I thought we would (at the very least) have waltzed into the playoffs at the start of the season, I am genuinely worried that we won’t even do that!
I said a few months back Capey , we had Toulouse London Fev and York with better squads than us. Nothing I've seen makes me think different and if anything I'd put Halifax into the mix to finish ahead of us.
Is finishing 6th in this league the height of our ambitions now .
The Vicar
We produced a decent number of players, but most are lower SL or Championship standard: indicative of the fact perhaps that we weren't able to get the Smith's, Richardson's, M. Percival's.....
That being said, the only way we have fielded a team at times was because of the academy.
Our best 2 Championship teams were 2001 and 2007. I can only think of C. Percival who was a Widnes product regularly playing in either of those sides, although Richie Myler should have played more. Maybe a sign that at this level, getting the best from wherever is the key to success and building a side full of academy produced players is for a well established SL Club.
The alarm bells started to ring for me when days before the season starts, and we are told all is well and good, we sign blokes on a 2 week loan. Nowt surprises me with this club, same old, same old.
Jewett had a mare, just watching the highlights 4 or 5 tries were conceded down to players just bouncing of him.
I think I’d give Jewitt missing a few tackles a pass given he hadn’t played since 2019. If it’s still happening a few games down the line fair enough to criticise.
I would be more concerned at Lawton''s 11 misssed tackles compared to 6 missed tackles by Jewitt.
Lawton really needs to up his game in coming weeks if he is to show that he was worth bringing back. At the moment, by his general lethargy in games, he is showing why he has been released by teams after short spells.
The same thing pretty much everyone was concerned about with Lawton when he was brought back.
What you see is what you get with Adam,not sure why anyone is surprised, that's his style.He's not suddenly going to become a Mike O'Neill, putting in 60 tackles and 40 carry ups per game. You won't change him.
Absolutely, never going to be a workhorse. Think he would be much more effective playing a couple of 15-20 minute spells per game and being told to go full pelt. Will do some damage in attack at this level. Also, I don’t think having him and Spedding defending on the same side works well.
Jewett had a mare, just watching the highlights 4 or 5 tries were conceded down to players just bouncing of him.
Where can I find these highlights, please?
Lawton’s done alright for me so far. Some nice angles and decent offloads.