Anyone not recognising that Toulouse is a very good side in the league is delusional. But one win out of five (against the bottom team at home) is the stark reality. Don’t think anyone will have expected anything other than a defeat but surely we ought not be conceding 70 points.
Very impressive team and I see them strong contenders to win the league. We’ve played worse Catalan teams than them in the past!! I think we have dropped below the divide that exists in the Championship - no longer swimming with the big fish, but down amongst the plucky minnows.
Could Sheens have done better with this squad? Maybe, but how much better? He didn’t have a magic lamp so on that basis I have some sympathy for Finnegan on what he acquired. Changing just the coach won’t fix this, but we do have injured players due to return which will make an impact. Only person I would sack is Smith, a season too far for him.
Once again another defeat, once again you to look at the CEO, he brings the players and coach in, the buck stops with him
I was there today, and have posted a bit about it on the Lions' page, but it's worth repeating on here.
Toulouse are a genuine quality outfit, a Super League team in waiting, and you were on the wrong end of a real caning.
We play 'em in a fortnight, and whilst today's performance against the Bulls was a massive improvement to that horror slow at your place last week, I'm (very) far from holding my breath about us getting anything out of it!
Spelly.
Shouldn't be making excuses for them, that was a record defeat. We got stuffed against Batley as well. To say that's as good as we can expect from this squad I strongly disagree with. Basic defence is missing. The bookies are hardly ever wrong and they had us in 6th place based on the squad we had at the start of the season. Other than Tolouse who are a very good side, which superstars to Batley and Dewsbury possess? No one. The team isn't performing at all, something is amiss I've been watching RL for too many years not to notice the team isn't playing or working as a unit.
Dewsbury got beat 36-0 tonight at home to Fax who have been in and out of form so far.
The defence has been a clear issue highlighted by most of us since West Wales game. There’s being out for a year and having your first game after a year to this dross 7/8 games in.
it’s simply not good enough and quite frankly very embarrassing on the Widnes name
It's not just the defence we need to improve upon, we didn't score any points either. Playmakers? None at all. Planned moves? Didn't see one. Passing the ball behind the man/into touch? Many examples. Taking the ball standing still? Numerous occasions. Having the ball stripped from us one on one? Four occasions? Landing on knees and elbows to get quick play the ball after a tackle? Hardly ever. These are core skills in professional rugby league and we displayed very few of them. For these shortcomings we can only blame the players and coach. This is not a one off display. See v Batley, v Dewsbury.
Very telling that SF hasn’t been interviewed (to my knowledge) after the game???
Thought coaches had to do post match stuff?
Embarrassed? Angry? Not arsed?
For some strange reason I was expecting a plucky defeat yesterday, something like 32-6, which is competitive by our standards.Why,I don't know.I had hoped the Swinton win was a turning point but obviously not.
It’s not just the defence we need to improve upon, we didn’t score any points either. Playmakers? None at all. Planned moves? Didn’t see one. Passing the ball behind the man/into touch? Many examples. Taking the ball standing still? Numerous occasions. Having the ball stripped from us one on one? Four occasions? Landing on knees and elbows to get quick play the ball after a tackle? Hardly ever. These are core skills in professional rugby league and we displayed very few of them. For these shortcomings we can only blame the players and coach. This is not a one off display. See v Batley, v Dewsbury.
The main issue is the Forwards and the squad. The playmakers are not being given a chance to play.
Toulouse were able to make 70 metres every set and we were making zilch. They were on the front foot all game and Widnes on the back foot.
1) Who assembled this squad, how could they possibly imagine it would succeed without reinforcements. Why have we gone into the season with this squad.
2) We need reinforcements why are we unable to get sufficient reinforcements.
3) What are we going to do about it. How can we improve things immediately and in the future.
4) Are they going to take responsibility for it and explain their reasoning and what is going on. Have they given any explanations to VIQI whose sole purpose is to assist in squad building / signing players. What does the VIQI representative on the board have to say about it.
Squad. Forwards
1 hooker (not seen , long term injury).
4 over 30's signed in close season (2 injured hardly seen, 35 year old Paul Clough doing his best I hope he now isn't injured, Grady doing his best)
3 players signed recently playing amateur ( 1 not seen, Adam Lawton and Kenny Baker really found wanting in defence yesterday, Adam Lawton really struggling in defence all season).
Owen Farnworth (unlucky with Covid, aggressive, decent size, young player who in time is a potential Super League Player).
3 young players who all look small, enthusiastic but with one senior appearance between them before the start of the season.
Refer to points 1-4.
Geoff, please stop with the utterly lame excuses. Even for the worst squad in the division, 70-0 loss is totally inexcusable, excusing the players or the coach is negligent.
This squad clearly isn’t promotional material but the budget is in the top 8 easy, and even a team of amateurs would struggle to concede 70 points.
Thought Adam Lawton had his best game for us. (I'll get my coat)
He gave away too many penalties for my liking but he does offer a fair bit in attack. Thought he was good against Swinton. I reckon he’s best used off the bench running out wide against tiring opponents. You’re never going to get 80 minutes of graft out of him but he can be effective.
He gave away too many penalties for my liking but he does offer a fair bit in attack. Thought he was good against Swinton. I reckon he’s best used off the bench running out wide against tiring opponents. You’re never going to get 80 minutes of graft out of him but he can be effective.
That wasn't difficult mate! LOL
Spelly.
Ha! It’s all relative.
the thing i get from lawton, he always seems half hearted as if he just turns up for a game of rugby and win lose or draw it doesnt really matter, a bit of fun and a pay cheque. he's floated about all of his career and i just dont think he has a serious mind set to be a fully committed professional player.