I’ll be there next season regardless of the strength of the squad and I’m sure the vast majority of season ticket holders will be as well including some of those who are currently suggesting otherwise. We have clearly underachieved since dropping down to the second tier and I can’t see us challenging for promotion any time soon. Which is disappointing however your look at it. At least most of our recent performances have had decent entertainment value.
I’ll be there next season regardless of the strength of the squad and I’m sure the vast majority of season ticket holders will be as well including some of those who are currently suggesting otherwise. We have clearly underachieved since dropping down to the second tier and I can’t see us challenging for promotion any time soon. Which is disappointing however your look at it. At least most of our recent performances have had decent entertainment value.
Me too along with the rest of the family, hoping for a change of fortune but still getting frustrated with the team,directors and referees.
Funny how when we got relegated some on here we’re toasting the opportunity to visit Halifax, Batley and Dewsbury, well we are going there again next year.👍👍
I don’t know why widnes weren’t in the market for those players? Surely we can match the playing budget of London who have a much smaller fan base and don’t own their ground
How do you persuade Corey Norman to move to Widnes and train three evenings a week? What does he do the rest of the time?
Ultimately, we are where we are. Part-time team. That's why it's important to retain the best quality local players.
As for the posts about expectations - given Widnes have shown they are capable of averaging 3,000 in this division (which is in the top 2/3 of the division), I think reaching the play-offs should be a minimum expectation, and anything else is a failure.
Continuing to fail (now four successive full seasons) will only have a detrimental effect on the average crowd.
I have said before that we have been trying to play a SL game against Championship opposition and without the necessary tools, like a substantial pack, and it can't be done! We have to become realistic and battle from the bottom back up.
We, as supporters, may see the game as below our desired level, but the 'win' is the objective, however it's attained.
@sandgroper - I would argue that we have been trying to beat championship sides at their own game at times. Driving it down the middle against sides with bigger more effective forwards and coming off second best.
I do agree though that we need to build from the pack and try and get on top in games to give the backs room to work. Actually think our back line is good enough to make the top six if the forwards were stronger.
@jdgsport I thought that London were part-time this year and haven't we got a couple of players on full-time contracts?
I agree with many who have commented with their concerns at the players rumoured to be leaving and who will be their replacements. It is no good the Club being prepared to accept the same again next year, with mid-table mediocrity. As said, a play-off position must be the minimum we should expect.
Even the die hard fans, will eventually get fed up if the Club shows little or no ambition. It is no good trying to meet the IMG criteria off the pitch, if we don't have a team on the pitch capable of competing with the likes of Featherstone/Toulouse/Wakefield to have a chance of promotion.
Maybe we could accept replacements from teams in the lower Division, who may or may not improve at a higher level and with a decent coach, but fans need to see an improvement in the squad and someone who can generate a bit of interest. Why not bring in a couple of full-timers, maybe someone like Forber on a one year contract or an up and coming player from Australasia, looking to get into SL?
You cannot stop players leaving for better contracts, but if we can let Craven, Lawton, Fozard and Farnworth leave, someone needs to explain how hard the Club tried to keep them - or maybe the Club is on its uppers and has to cut the playing budget. If so, the Club should be open with fans.
The lack of communication and ambition from the Club will drive fans away.
Widnes haven't got any players on full-time contracts. London are still running an academy (and a reserves) so I would imagine that at least some of their first team squad are full-time, and therefore train in the day (with the academy). I don't think their overseas signings are going to be doing a shift anywhere around playing rugby.
Which is why when people say "why didn't we sign Corey Norman?" there's your answer.
That and London being a far more attractive destination for overseas players than Widnes.
That and London being a far more attractive destination for overseas players than Widnes.
Has Big Jim's closed?
We are not that far from Liverpool and Manchester and parts of London are not the most attractive places!
I can see James' point re London having an Academy and a Reserve Team. Maybe that should be the way for us - or a close working relationship with local amateur teams - to bring on some of the local talent. Maybe allowing some amateur players to train with the squad; some amateur games to be played at "Naughton Park"; or run a local cup competition, with games played before home games at the ground?
Trust me London is a crunchie hole.
Eighth in division two! I always took it for granted that Widnes were a big club at this level and should be in the top 3 every year,pushing for promotion.Seems I was wrong.Seems that assumption is a bit arrogant.Perhaps we should all lower our expectations and accept our position as a lower,mid table second division club ?
Never. It's not a case of anyone taking it for granted, it's more the case that the club have been managed into this position.
Bradford and ourselves are the biggest teams in this division. Biggest fan bases, biggest history of success, biggest potential. We (and them) must both strive to get in SL every year, and get as high in that division as we can.
If the aim is anything else, or it becomes clear us and Bradford have 'accepted our place', then literally overnight nobody will come and watch.
Both clubs would fold in 2 minutes flat.
I made a similar suggestion a while ago regarding inviting amateur sides to stage their weekend game before the Vikings at the stadium when it can fit in with our games.
Eighth in division two! I always took it for granted that Widnes were a big club at this level and should be in the top 3 every year,pushing for promotion.Seems I was wrong.Seems that assumption is a bit arrogant.Perhaps we should all lower our expectations and accept our position as a lower,mid table second division club ?
Never. It's not a case of anyone taking it for granted, it's more the case that the club have been managed into this position.
Bradford and ourselves are the biggest teams in this division. Biggest fan bases, biggest history of success, biggest potential. We (and them) must both strive to get in SL every year, and get as high in that division as we can.
If the aim is anything else, or it becomes clear us and Bradford have 'accepted our place', then literally overnight nobody will come and watch.
Both clubs would fold in 2 minutes flat.
And unfortunately, while Bradford seem to be giving it ago (despite how hampered they are by the state of Odsal) by maintaining their academy and being bullish about wanting back to Super League, we seem to be...?
Having no academy is criminal. I mean, even if there is no pathway to SL through our academy, selling the likes of Walters, O'Connor and others should be enough to fund the thing. Instead, we've handed over quality SL players for nothing.