Re: Widnes on thursday : Mon Mar 03, 2014 6:45 pm  

Heart obviously wants a win but the head is saying it's highly unlikely after what I've witnessed so far. I don't think the team have clicked up to now, the back line in particular is lacking speed, fluidity and spark. (Bring Longy back) Further to this our kicking game has been poor so far, we're dropping off tackles and we are going to be missing a few key players. We also need to work on slowing down the opposition ruck speed (legally) and we need a few more attacking plays other than Hansen running wide off Tim Smith.

My head says Widnes by 30+ Points but I really hope my gut instinct is wrong.

Re: Widnes on thursday : Mon Mar 03, 2014 7:57 pm  

Whilst early in the season I think this game could really set the tone for how the year will pan out. We're missing our two big names and are coming off the back of a slapping by a very good team. We're coming up against a team which on paper you'd say we're stronger than but who are clearly in much better form than us. If this season is to be the sort of success we are hoping for (in to the play-offs with a little room to spare) then this is the sort of game we need to be winning by a try or two.

Re: Widnes on thursday : Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:06 pm  

Diavolo Rosso wrote:

Whilst early in the season I think this game could really set the tone for how the year will pan out. We're missing our two big names and are coming off the back of a slapping by a very good team. We're coming up against a team which on paper you'd say we're stronger than but who are clearly in much better form than us. If this season is to be the sort of success we are hoping for (in to the play-offs with a little room to spare) then this is the sort of game we need to be winning by a try or two.

I agree that a win would be a terrific confidence boost and could potentially define our season.

Re: Widnes on thursday : Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:24 pm  

Wirecutter wrote:

(Bring Longy back).

Re: Widnes on thursday : Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:43 pm  

Win on Thursday and we then have a fighting chance next Friday, lose and it could end up being losing 5 on the trot.

I'd hate to be in Nobles shoes if that was the case.

Re: Widnes on thursday : Mon Mar 03, 2014 9:04 pm  

Wirecutter wrote:

(Bring Longy back)

It is interesting that we have played the last 120 minutes at home ( 40 mins 2nd half v Wakefield and 80 mins v Saints ) without scoring a point and the only repeat set I can recall was 2 mins from the end of the last game when the much maligned Stu Howarth put a kick into the in-goal area,which he followed and tackled Lomax for the GLDO.

I heard Sean Long interviewed once and he stated he constructed attacks from our own 20 due to the lack of impact from our pack at the time.

Getting it perfect for rounds 10 and 11 will be the away games at Leeds and Catalans.


As we have a 100% away record thus far in Super League with the away win at London I will hope the away wins continue,at Widnes,and beyond rounds 10 and 11.

I am not too sure how many of our overseas signings will have played on an artificial surface.

Re: Widnes on thursday : Mon Mar 03, 2014 10:14 pm  

Nobody can question Long's talent as a player, but as a coach I don't buy into this reputation he seems to have amassed with some Salford fans. Yes we played some great attacking rugby under his directive, but we had some very talented attacking players in Holdsworth, Smith and Moon.

I also don't think he's made the transition from player to coach, during his time at Salford seemed to be more interested in being mates with the players rather than their coach and a figure of seniority.

His well publicised personal issues aren't what we need either, Wigan and London both didn't like what they saw. I hope he gets sorted and gets a break, we don't produce too many good half backs in this country and it would be a waste to see him disappear from the game.

Re: Widnes on thursday : Tue Mar 04, 2014 12:19 pm  

John Gilbert Reds wrote:

Nobody can question Long's talent as a player, but as a coach I don't buy into this reputation he seems to have amassed with some Salford fans. Yes we played some great attacking rugby under his directive, but we had some very talented attacking players in Holdsworth, Smith and Moon.

I agree. Look our back line a couple of years ago. Patten, Gleeson, Moon, Broughton, Smith, Holdsworth. There was a lot of attacking qualities in there. The wingers/centres we had then were more exciting than I anticipate the guys we have this season will be.

Re: Widnes on thursday : Tue Mar 04, 2014 12:32 pm  

What will your likely team be then ?

Are Hock and Chase dedinitely out?

Re: Widnes on thursday : Tue Mar 04, 2014 1:29 pm  

Viva La Vikings!! wrote:

What will your likely team be then ?

Are Hock and Chase dedinitely out?

Hock, definitely; Chase, as far as we know. Plus Meli and Griffin.