I think we would all have settled for 4 wins out of the first 6 games at the start of the season so 5/6 is a bonus.
Assessment of performances to date. Positives.
1. Defence much better in our defensive 20.
2. Squad much more resilient than in recent seasons & able to come from behind.
3. Forward pack is more effective & aggressive within the rules than for many years & has been in ascendency in most games.
4. Our points difference is very good so far especially in home games.
Things to be aware of about pointers going forward
1. Concerning that the wrong decision is made too often when in possession in the opposing 20 metre zone.
2. So far we have been fairly fortunate with injuries until yesterday. We now have 3 forwards still out for several weeks. Other clubs have not been so fortunate e.g. when we played them Halifax had 6 out injured & Bradford 7 but some maybe squad players rather than first 17.
3. Are we moving the ball fast enough & spreading it through hands enough? Are we kicking too much? My thoughts on this is I would like us to run it more at times rather than kick & when we do kick the ball it has to go high enough to give time for our players to be able to compete for the ball which does not happen enough at present.
My conclusion although I thought we would not make the top 6 play off places I think we could sneak in it at 5 or 6 if -
1. We can protect Gilmore & he escapes several weeks or longer term injury.
2. We get adequate replacements when needed on dual registration from Warrington. I have some concern that this will not happen going on past experience.
What do others think?
We've started well and are in a good position. We are clearly better coached than in previous seasons and the Lyons/Gilmore axis has pleasantly surprised me with how effective it has been as I thought we needed to sign a Stand-Off as a matter of priority.
However, this has been around the point in the season where things have started to fall apart in the last 2 years after good starts-fingers crossed this pattern doesn't repeat. We need to win the next 2- after that we have Toulouse, York and Sheffield away and Wakefield at home in the following 4.
Overall, I think things look promising and having expected another 9th/10th place I think we could get Top 6 which would be a real step forward.
It does seem we are more resilient than passed years but still early days. If we lose Gilmore and Lyons to injury who are our halfbacks? I would still like a strike centre, and to have a good season I feel we need lady luck with injuries.
I can’t see wire helping us out with quality to cover for injuries so we need to be lucky and we can make the top 6. AC has definitely been a good acquisition and has injected a belief in the squad
I can’t see wire helping us out with quality to cover for injuries so we need to be lucky and we can make the top 6. AC has definitely been a good acquisition and has injected a belief in the squad
I agree more likely to stitch us up like before. I fudging hate the dual and loan system shite.
Agree Ratters - I thought Flash was very diplomatic in his commentary on Merseyside when mentioning the players we signed on season long loans/had pre-season with us now actually appearing for Brat’fud on Sunday - ridiculous state of affairs.
fudge ‘em off.
Agree Ratters - I thought Flash was very diplomatic in his commentary on Merseyside when mentioning the players we signed on season long loans/had pre-season with us now actually appearing for Brat’fud on Sunday - ridiculous state of affairs.
fudge ‘em off.
Yeah and very satisfying to beat Bradford too. 🤣👍Not sure why dual works better for other clubs, I guess either our pitch, or other teams pay more for a loan spell? Possibly Flash will know the answer?
Yep so far so good, we've been much more consistent this season, still lack penetration in the opposition 20, but as has been said we are much better defensively and dont wilt, if things go against us. It seems Mr Coleman is making the best use of his playing resources, hopefully we can come through our injuries, without too much disruption, whether DR can be of any help remains to be seen. Not much benefit so far, but you never know!
Watched the game and enjoyed the commentator!!!
We look much more focused on the job in hand. Certainly Bradford seemed to looking to generate a scuffle but we didn't fall for it, thankfully. Thought we handled their big pack very well, particularly on their self confessed bog end!!
Swinton seem to run well with DR. I’m sure if we could build a partnership with saints it would be beneficial. It doesn’t sit well with me the wire connection
I noticed in the Featherstone game how we were moving the ball about more. Fewer first receiver drives. It worked, even though we lost. At Bradford we seemed to revert to type, especially after losing Langtree and having the Loctite handed Bent on the field, with the result that we made heavy weather of what should have been a comfortable win against an unconvincing Bulls. No doubt AC will iron this out.
Agree Ratters - I thought Flash was very diplomatic in his commentary on Merseyside when mentioning the players we signed on season long loans/had pre-season with us now actually appearing for Brat’fud on Sunday - ridiculous state of affairs.
fudge ‘em off.
It's probably more of a positive outcome than people think - ultimately it seems it was decided neither Wilson or Green would get a game given our own players were all available, and so for them to get game time, they needed to go elsewhere.
The benefits of dual-reg rather than loans is that you get that flexibility to just call upon them when needed.
It sounds to me like Coleman wants his own players as that breeds a better team spirit - but he knows that dual-reg can be a useful tool, and may be forced if the budget isn't there or there are no players available to sign permanent.
I do think a lot of credit needs to be given to the powers that be for sanctioning the signing of Murray when he became available. What Halifax were thinking letting him go I don't know, but if Widnes can be poised to pounce for any similar deals when decent players become available, then I think that's a good position to be in.
Early indications are that Langtree's season may be over (let's hope not) Badly dislocated shoulder, the same one he had his op on, pre-season. Finger's crossed.
Paulie xx
@pauliewalnuts That would be a massive kick in the dick if that's true, Paulie.