Update from John Stankevitch : Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:48 pm  

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the loyal Vikings fans, for your support during the last week, for both the players and myself. As you can imagine, it has been a mentally challenging time of late but I'd like to assure all of our fans that I will be leaving nothing to chance with our forthcoming fixtures and will be preparing the team thoroughly for two very important Northern Rail Cup games as well as the up coming Carnegie Challenge Cup tie against Saddleworth. The players have responded excellently in training and I have introduced new ideas and methods that will challenge the players thoughts and skills, and will produce positive results in both individuals and as a team. The players have been working very hard to produce performances of the highest quality and I am actively encouraging the players to enjoy what they do and to think for themselves. This should certainly see us play some entertaining rugby league and we would like to produce this week in week out, but ultimately, I can promise that the players will give 100% to each other, yourselves as fans, and show pride and passion when wearing the famous colours of Widnes. All that I can ask from the fans is that you support us during the up coming weeks and show your support by being vocal in the stands, and in return we will be doing everything in our power to win the games and win by playing some rugby. John Stankevitch Widnes Vikings Caretaker Coach Widnes Vikings Fan www.widnesvikings.co.uk Very proud Widnesian is John and im happy to have him as coach.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the loyal Vikings fans, for your support during the last week, for both the players and myself. As you can imagine, it has been a mentally challenging time of late but I'd like to assure all of our fans that I will be leaving nothing to chance with our forthcoming fixtures and will be preparing the team thoroughly for two very important Northern Rail Cup games as well as the up coming Carnegie Challenge Cup tie against Saddleworth. The players have responded excellently in training and I have introduced new ideas and methods that will challenge the players thoughts and skills, and will produce positive results in both individuals and as a team. The players have been working very hard to produce performances of the highest quality and I am actively encouraging the players to enjoy what they do and to think for themselves. This should certainly see us play some entertaining rugby league and we would like to produce this week in week out, but ultimately, I can promise that the players will give 100% to each other, yourselves as fans, and show pride and passion when wearing the famous colours of Widnes. All that I can ask from the fans is that you support us during the up coming weeks and show your support by being vocal in the stands, and in return we will be doing everything in our power to win the games and win by playing some rugby. John Stankevitch Widnes Vikings Caretaker Coach Widnes Vikings Fan www.widnesvikings.co.uk Very proud Widnesian is John and im happy to have him as coach.

: Tue Feb 24, 2009 7:52 pm  

Makes a number of points that the fans will be glad to hear like freeing the individuals up to think for themselves etc etc...

Good stuff John.. Keep up the good work.. we're all behind you!!!!

: Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:32 pm  

Its all good what he is saying and its what the fans have been crying out for for years but this and other little things sound to me like he is trying to get the fans on side and is maybe trying to persuide the powers that be to give him the job which in my opinion will be a backwards step!

: Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:05 pm  

Young_Gun wrote:

Its all good what he is saying and its what the fans have been crying out for for years but this and other little things sound to me like he is trying to get the fans on side and is maybe trying to persuide the powers that be to give him the job which in my opinion will be a backwards step!

I disagree from what I seen on Saturday night he is getting the squad motivated and to make this judgement after one game is wrong.

If John is taking the role on as head coach and fitting in well with his ideas and have the players behind him then its all good.

Maybe you should give it a few more games before you make this call and it seems as though your jumping the gun a bit.

John has my 100% backing and hopefully the club will give him a chance to prove himself .

Good luck Stankey

: Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:21 pm  

A lot of positive comments about John here, would you be happy to see him given a go as permanent coach?

: Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:49 pm  

Some Widnes fans are to easily pleased and are happy with anything after the Oldham game a section of fans were applauding the performance! I may be jumping the gun with my comments after just one game but arent you giving John abit to much credit after only one game, one weerk of training and alot of verbal promises lets remember it was only Gateshead and the next three games are hardly difficult tasks are they so lets not start believing we are world betters and John is the man for the job we will see how far the team has come when we play a team that will give us a challange.

: Wed Feb 25, 2009 6:09 pm  

ShayFax wrote:

A lot of positive comments about John here, would you be happy to see him given a go as permanent coach?

It's far too early to tell to be honest. He did well, but it's just one game. I'd be more than happy if he made a massive impact and got the job, but I doubt he'll have the time to prove what he can do in the long term. SOC has already said that, at the age of 29, he lacks the experience he feels the job needs, and wants him to learn under a more experienced coach with a veiw to taking over someday.

: Wed Feb 25, 2009 7:05 pm  

It is very early in the process but it doesn't look like the club are in an immediate rush to appoint someone so it looks like Stanny will have a bit of time.

He had about 5 days to change the way we played ready for Sat night and I thought the changes were quite apparent. This could have been because the changes were fairly easy to make (which I suspect) or Stanny is a very good coach (which I don't doubt). He has a couple of games and maybe that might be enough. As others have suggested I personally don't think it will be no matter how well we play.

If it isn't I hope he sticks with us because I wouldn't question that he will become a first class coach in a couple of years time.