What do we all expect from the team this year? : Sun Jan 03, 2010 4:55 pm  

Well recruitment is pretty much done and i would only expect signings to arrive in the shape of dual form players.

As usual i set my expectations high, the squad has a more balanced look this year and were not to overloaded in any position compared to last years team. James Ford should be very exciting from full back and Chris Dean arrives back a more complete player from Saints again. A proven try scorer arrives at this level on the flank in Gardner and he's joined by our very own Flynn and Gaskell. Toa has had the flush out on his knee and is raring to go and is still the classiest centre in the championship on his day IMO.

The forward pack has had the most change really, Pickersgill and Haggerty arrive to beef up the front row and both are proven super league players. Dave Allen arrives to fit in the second row and he proved last season his still has all the ability to get back to being a good super league player. Unproven player at this level at Loose Forward in Chris Gerrard but by all accounts Cullen and Wilkinson have done there home work on him and his ball handling skills should be useful in complementing Webster and Thackeray. Mark Smith has a new buddy at Hooker in young Thomas Coyle and from what people say the lad has that bit of class about him and it will be interesting to see how he goes at Hooker.

The bench should have some size about it next year, assuming Gannon and Pickersgill start as props we then have Ben Kavanagh and Gareth Haggerty to come from the bench and a good impact player in Coyle.

I expect a top 3 finish, a grand final win would be nice and another day out at Blackpool hopefully.


As for the rest well Halifax have strengthened again and IMO will be classed as favourites, Barrow and ourselves are pretty much level pegging i would say. Leigh will be a totally different animal under Millward and Featherstone have also strengthened along with Sheffield.

Interesting season ahead and for once im glad our pre season has been pretty quiet.

Re: What do we all expect from the team this year? : Sun Jan 03, 2010 6:42 pm  

I reckon it could go either way. We haven’t gone for the big name stars of this league, like we usually do, but for more solid professionals. High yield, low maintenance I think Cullen called them. It’s a good, young squad that is looking to a more long term future. It could backfire, but I think ithey will hold their own.

Other clubs seem to be going all out this year to win the lot, and they have recruited older professionals that will be big names in this division. We tried that in 2006, and it didn’t work. Hopefully, Cullen’s approach will. Like you say, PC will actually have a full pre-season with them and won’t be struggling to turn around ramshackle group of odd-bods following a chaotic training regime, like he inherited from Ste Mac last season. The thing is though, he still turned it round and got them playing. So, with a full pre-season and a squad of his own choosing, we should be flying right from the off.

I think there’ll be a lot more effort and spirit about this season, I can feel it in me water. I’d be disappointed if we don’t win anything, because I do think we’ve got the formula right this time. The youngsters really need to show their worth though. A lot will hings on that I think.

Re: What do we all expect from the team this year? : Sun Jan 03, 2010 6:58 pm  

Yep a big year for the youngsters to step up to the plate, i think we will see Grady feature a lot more this year and Paddy Flynn seems to have cemented himself as first choice winger. It's difficult with franchising as in order to meet all the requirements it's important that we have enough youngsters featuring. As you say we seem to have got the balance just about right.


Just thinking ahead though and with the weather the way it is we could be a little under done if the Blackpool game is called off. That Leaves us with just the Salford game ahead of the NRC.

Re: What do we all expect from the team this year? : Sun Jan 03, 2010 7:08 pm  

A bit of unknown quantity really at the moment arent we ? I appreciate other clubs have been turning over players too but there is a very youhful look to the squad and some players having their first seasons in certain positions.

Ford has had from what I can see pretty minimal games at FB but could turn out to be a Cullen masterstroke or the break that Yacca needs to cement himself as the clubs 1st choice FB. Cant really comment on him any more than that.

Likewise Gerrard who given his squad number is the likely 13 but again could be seen as a gamble given his age and lack of any kind of senior gametime.

Backs generally look more solid all round than last year but the general theme of the squad is younger players in reserve whereas the Barrows and Halifax of this leage seem to have that bit more experience throughout the squad. Not a massive issue for me as I realise we need to make more use of the fantastic youth development work going on through the scholarship and academy setup. I think it's a big make or break year for some of the younger guys too so heres hoping some of them will push on.

Props look a hell of alot better. Haggerty should provide some impact off the bench and once Picks had settled in last year he led us forward alongside Gannon. Should help the halves get a better foothhold who IMO are the best in the league IMO but again outside of that pairing we are relying on youngsters like Danny Hulme and Thomas Coyle to fill the breach if needed.

Morrison is a loss but Fletch going isnt a massive issue. He had the size but I dont think we ever saw him dominate outwide like he did up ata Haven. Overall back rown in Doran, Allen, Varks, Grady look a lot more mobile which I think fit in with Cull's style of play.

The overall theme of the squad is 'backed up by youngsters'. Sink or swim time for some of them and lets hope the older guys can guide them through when needed.

Id be happy enough with a top 3 finish and getting some of the younger players such as Grady moulded into the side as first team regulars along with throwing the ball around a bit more.

Re: What do we all expect from the team this year? : Sun Jan 03, 2010 7:29 pm  

Pepe wrote:

I reckon it could go either way. We haven’t gone for the big name stars of this league, like we usually do, but for more solid professionals. High yield, low maintenance I think Cullen called them. It’s a good, young squad that is looking to a more long term future. It could backfire, but I think ithey will hold their own.

Other clubs seem to be going all out this year to win the lot, and they have recruited older professionals that will be big names in this division. We tried that in 2006, and it didn’t work. Hopefully, Cullen’s approach will. Like you say, PC will actually have a full pre-season with them and won’t be struggling to turn around ramshackle group of odd-bods following a chaotic training regime, like he inherited from Ste Mac last season. The thing is though, he still turned it round and got them playing. So, with a full pre-season and a squad of his own choosing, we should be flying right from the off.

I think there’ll be a lot more effort and spirit about this season, I can feel it in me water. I’d be disappointed if we don’t win anything, because I do think we’ve got the formula right this time. The youngsters really need to show their worth though. A lot will hings on that I think.

Totally agree with you pepe.Be interesting to see how dean thompson does, after impressing last year with blackpool, and reserves player of the year.Houghton did ok last year in his few appearances for the first team and has some size.Grady and yates i am still unsure about, but hopefully with a year on will be better.Gerrard at loose got some good reviews by wigan fans as a good passer, but not big enough to be a forward.But looking at the pic of him, his arms look massive.

Re: What do we all expect from the team this year? : Mon Jan 04, 2010 11:03 am  

Second at lowest!

Re: What do we all expect from the team this year? : Tue Jan 05, 2010 5:57 am  

I expect the following in the new year:

+ The RFL will be gutless cheats on numerous occasions with double standards galore.
+ A load of jealous fans from other clubs will flood the forum of the Mighty Widnes Vikings with their jealous drivel.
+ We will be more unpopular than ever as fans get worried about their position in the top flight and the status quo threatens to come down.
+ The VT will be full of ignorant poop.
+ The Mighty Widnes Vikings will be well supported, well turned out and a club to be proud of.

As for the team, it's too early to say. We've taken a few risks which could leave us all the better but could backfire. There are teams with experienced quality players who have their best days behind them. We've been down this road. Faster, hungrier players can surprise you as we've found out to our detriment. But there is a lot of inexperience in the team, and we will miss our departing players, some of our best leaving us will leave big shoes to fill. So it's wide open at this point. We need to stay at least competitive on the pitch but we can't turn into a team relying on journeymen, that does not look good.

Re: What do we all expect from the team this year? : Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:30 am  

I fully expect the team to lay waste to the NRC, go all the way in the Challenge Cup, then the championship. Launch an assault on Superleague and then the world.

Anything less and I will be up to Das Bunker in Frodsham ripping up and burning my season ticket !

Re: What do we all expect from the team this year? : Tue Jan 05, 2010 3:11 pm  

To win everyting and go unbeatun

Tbh id like to see at least a semi final game in NRC, reach 5th round of CC* and to reach grankd final.


*Of course depending on draw

Re: What do we all expect from the team this year? : Mon Jan 11, 2010 10:29 pm  

so who has the kicking duties?