The use of reasoned argument is appreciated, but population density can't be why Sweden has done better than us. Percentage of population living in an urban setting in Sweden 84%, percentage in UK 82%. Stockholm is as densely populated as London.
Tom Olbison still hasn’t got a club, wouldn’t mind him back here, if we could afford him, and he wants to come back.
The benefit to having a season ticket this year is it could actually get you into the stadium. When restrictions are eased we are going back to a tiered system. If they copy the system from last time that could initially mean 2,000 fans per game. I can't see any fans in March, more likely schools and retail to open first, however in April /May I believe it could be a possibility. (Fingers crossed)
If we sell 2,500 season tickets it would have to be on a rota system, but most fans would get to the majority of early games. However this would rule out any walk ins. Our stadium would be ideal for this being all seater and with a 13,500 capacity it would be relatively easy to organise the 2,000 seats in advance.
If it then goes up to 4,000 by summer that would be of more benefit to the Championship than SL and football as it would cover the vast majority of attendances. However it could also be dependent on the overall capacity of the stadium, again a potential benefit to Widnes having one of the biggest stadiums in the Championship and I'm sure all seater stadiums are easier to organise from a social distancing perspective than standing.
We will just have to wait and see as things can change so quickly, but I believe by March we will have a good idea of where things are up to.
Also see Else has signed a new 12 month contract, I assumed he already had as he was already included in the 26 man first team squad on the official website. Be good to see how he goes as I believe he was out injured last year.
Just checked, Finnigan and Mccarthy both played for Ireland between 2009-13 so I assume they know each other from training camps, they also play in the same position.
As for Olbison you would assume he would be after a full time contract so Wakefield/Leigh/Salford would seem most likely. With him being from Yorkshire if no SL offers are on the table you would assume Bradford would be a natural choice being a former player or Halifax/Featherstone. However at Championship level I think he would be an excellent player, very solid all round game. I would definitely take him given the chance, but unfortunately can't see him taking a part time deal this side of the pennines.
Would take either McCarthy or Olbison, but the likelihood is neither.
Wouldn't be surprised if both end up at Leigh. I'd say going part-time will be their last resort.
We've got Grady, Baker, Dwyer, J Wilde, poss Cook as back-row options so I suppose you could make a case for an addition.
Wasn't Lawton listed as a second row? With good service and the right attitude that could be a talking point. Really hope that he steps up and plays his weight wherever that is!
Olbison would be a good option, but as James says you would expect a Yorkish side if not FT. Mind you as age creeps on a few will be maybe looking to go PT if they get no offers from Leigh or someone else. That is where a job offer used to be attractive in the pre-SL days. Need to know more about the players individually if and get some sponsors maybe looking at that option.
(Iirc the great Aussie Harry Wells quoted his job, compulsory in those days, as 'Budgie Farmer!')
Gasnier and Wells - now there was a pair of centres.
Class all the way! Made better because we hadn't seen them before the tour.
Poppa Day always impressed me with his tackling technique!
My dad used to tell a story about being in a side that beat the Aussies.
On the 1959-60 tour after the Aussies put 40 odd on us at Naughton Park the practice was for the tourists to have a couple of beers with the locals in a nearby pub. Anyway, after a few beers a rather adventurous local challenged the tourists to a game of tick and pass outside. The challenge was accepted and my dad was part of the ‘pride of Widnes’ 😉 that ‘flattened em’ (at least according to my dad anyway 😁😁). So, that was the day he outplayed his heroes Johnny Raper and Reg Gasnier and in his work shoes too !!
Ha ha! Take the win for whatever!
That shuld have been Poppa Clay iirc!
I was at Saints when Prescot, a hero of mine at the time, stamped on Rapers hand and put him out of the tour games thereafter.
Lost, one hero!
Wasn’t Lawton listed as a second row? With good service and the right attitude that could be a talking point. Really hope that he steps up and plays his weight wherever that is! Olbison would be a good option, but as James says you would expect a Yorkish side if not FT. Mind you as age creeps on a few will be maybe looking to go PT if they get no offers from Leigh or someone else. That is where a job offer used to be attractive in the pre-SL days. Need to know more about the players individually if and get some sponsors maybe looking at that option. (Iirc the great Aussie Harry Wells quoted his job, compulsory in those days, as ‘Budgie Farmer!’)
Lawton is listed on club website as a prop/loose forward; so perhaps we'll see more of him at 13, and Baker in 11/12 alongside Grady. A pack of Cook, Tomkins, Jewitt, Grady, Baker and Lawton seems pretty big and formidable to me.
Lawton is listed on club website as a prop/loose forward; so perhaps we’ll see more of him at 13, and Baker in 11/12 alongside Grady. A pack of Cook, Tomkins, Jewitt, Grady, Baker and Lawton seems pretty big and formidable to me
For me the jury is out on Jewitt (34 years of age and inactivity, he's only played 24 games since 2017) and Lawton (attitude and appetite for the game). I wouldn't put Lawton at prop as I can't see him putting a shift as I have seen Baker at loose, definitely a luxury player off the bench running at tired defences. A couple of injuries and I believe we will struggle. I'm sorry to say I still don't see us getting in that top six and if the club don't do more within the community we are going to loose a lot of support, people didn't watch a side struggling in Super League, they definitely won't watch a side struggling in the championship.
Lawton is listed on club website as a prop/loose forward; so perhaps we’ll see more of him at 13, and Baker in 11/12 alongside Grady. A pack of Cook, Tomkins, Jewitt, Grady, Baker and Lawton seems pretty big and formidable to me.
Certainly more substantial that before and with experience in key positions. Fitness and team spirit will make the difference imo. Lawton must realise that in front of his own crowd he is in last chance saloon. I would play him maybe at second row, Baker is much better at loose forward than second row, as Sheens soon discovered.Getting him really fit is the test for me, if he feels good then he will want to play.
Difficult to know whether the lay off will kill older players or give them a chance to clear up old niggling injuries and be ready for a game. Many Aussies come over to have a rest and then go back to the NRL to finish their playing careers, so maybe Jewitt will surprise us!
Lawton is listed on club website as a prop/loose forward; so perhaps we’ll see more of him at 13, and Baker in 11/12 alongside Grady. A pack of Cook, Tomkins, Jewitt, Grady, Baker and Lawton seems pretty big and formidable to me For me the jury is out on Jewitt (34 years of age and inactivity, he’s only played 24 games since 2017) and Lawton (attitude and appetite for the game). I wouldn’t put Lawton at prop as I can’t see him putting a shift as I have seen Baker at loose, definitely a luxury player off the bench running at tired defences. A couple of injuries and I believe we will struggle. I’m sorry to say I still don’t see us getting in that top six and if the club don’t do more within the community we are going to loose a lot of support, people didn’t watch a side struggling in Super League, they definitely won’t watch a side struggling in the championship.
Which six teams will finish above Widnes then?