: Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:54 am  

AJ Viking wrote:

Quite amused to read the comments of people slagging the team off that didn't go to the game.

The game in my opinion was a large step forward, and the perfect example to the players of how we can play this season. The first half was the best we've played so far and finally had dummy runners, unpredictable play, and a good kicking game., winning the half 20-0.

The second half we went back to how we've played so far this season and lost the second half 18-4.

Now I would assume that Cullen will let the players watch the game to see the difference and to get them to play for 80 minutes rather than 40. I must say Thackeray and Webster can work very well together when they want to and when there is a good deep attacking line.

Other pluses was Thompson's best game so far, and I thought Simm had a solid game as well.

Yes, you're perfectly correct. It is very difficult to form a genuine opinion on a particular performance by listening to the radio. You can get some idea though and, if you put that in to the context of what we have seen so far from the side, most will have had some idea of what happened last night.

The problem with relying on radio commentary is you are entirely dependent on what the commentator decides to tell you. One example of why being there is much better.

Until this morning I didn't realise Cullen decided to play much of the second half with only 3 forwards and used:

2 x Full-Backs - Yates and Wildbore
2 x Centres - Grady and Varkulis
4 x Wingers - Dodd, Gaskell, Flynn, and Mills
2 x Half-Backs - Webster and Thackeray

The commentators didn't mention this and it was difficult to get the full picture from the radio. This is pure stupidity and it's hardly suprising we struggled in the 2nd half. What the hell was Cullen thinking?

I think our 2nd half capitulation should be put down to the coach this time. Instead of building on an excellent first half performance and building confidence for future games, he almost blows the game by experimenting. Now we're all nearly as deflated as we were after the Leigh match.

Poor effort by Mr Cullen imo.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:56 am  

Interesting. Is this related to the young player about to be possibley banned?

I don't think many Widnes fans judge the team on games against the likes of Batley (with respect) unless we only just scrap a win then we do mad! Cricket scores like the one against Toulouse didn't exactly make us think we were going to win the league.

It actually seems like an ideal game for us to try a few things and build some confidence in our performance.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:09 pm  

Pepe wrote:

Until this morning I didn't realise Cullen decided to play much of the second half with only 3 forwards and used:

2 x Full-Backs - Yates and Wildbore
2 x Centres - Grady and Varkulis
4 x Wingers - Dodd, Gaskell, Flynn, and Mills
2 x Half-Backs - Webster and Thackeray

The commentators didn't mention this and it was difficult to get the full picture from the radio. This is pure stupidity and it's hardly suprising we struggled in the 2nd half. What the hell was Cullen thinking?

I think our 2nd half capitulation should be put down to the coach this time. Instead of building on an excellent first half performance and building confidence for future games, he almost blows the game by experimenting. Now we're all nearly as deflated as we were after the Leigh match.

Poor effort by Mr Cullen imo.

I think that definitely puts a different perspective on things..

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:58 pm  

I am not too sure as to the root of the big problems at Batley and wouldn't like to speculate too much on stuff going on there at the moment. As I said, they are a decent side when fired up and I genuinely think they would have given you a very very tough game, just as Oldham, Sheffield, Leigh, Doncaster, Barrow etc have done with Widnes. However, due to their troubles, I think you will hammer them. I had read earlier in this thread, one of your supporters saying that Batley are similar to Donny and it should be another tight game. All I am saying, is that I agree they are similar normally, but with the bother at Batley, it should now be a bit of a nothing match and you will hammer them. Due to you having had a lot of tough games this season and defeats against teams no better than Batley, I can understand some of your fans expecting another tight game, but unless things are sorted at Batley, this will not happen.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 4:32 pm  

bUsTiNyAbALLs wrote:

I think that definitely puts a different perspective on things..

It certainly does, I didn't realise this until it was brought up. I kept my eye on the Sky Sports scorecentre, where I watched us go from a comfortable 24-0 lead to a 24-18 struggle.

It seems that Cullen is experimenting with the side, weighing up his options. Until he is happy and familiar with his side I think we can expect to see these sort of changes when we have a comfortable lead.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 4:48 pm  

etoile1 wrote:

I am not too sure as to the root of the big problems at Batley and wouldn't like to speculate too much on stuff going on there at the moment. As I said, they are a decent side when fired up and I genuinely think they would have given you a very very tough game, just as Oldham, Sheffield, Leigh, Doncaster, Barrow etc have done with Widnes. However, due to their troubles, I think you will hammer them. I had read earlier in this thread, one of your supporters saying that Batley are similar to Donny and it should be another tight game. All I am saying, is that I agree they are similar normally, but with the bother at Batley, it should now be a bit of a nothing match and you will hammer them. Due to you having had a lot of tough games this season and defeats against teams no better than Batley, I can understand some of your fans expecting another tight game, but unless things are sorted at Batley, this will not happen.

Well if the root of the problems at Batley is Gary Thornton then they're ok, he's gone today with Karl Harrison taking over - apparently!

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 4:58 pm  

Yes. It has finally happened. That should obviously help Batley stop the cricket scores.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:30 pm  

AJ Viking wrote:

Well if the root of the problems at Batley is Gary Thornton then they're ok, he's gone today with Karl Harrison taking over - apparently!

Gary Thornton is and never would be the root of the problems at any club hes at-if any of you were party to the playing budget hes had to work with over the years youd demand your board went and signed him on as coach immediately.
What hes done at Batley is a miracle.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:47 pm  

I am fully aware that Gary Thornton has had very little money to spend at Batley. I do not think that anyone is criticising him on here. It is sad to see any coach lose their job. However, sometimes a new coach can galvanise a team, even if it is only in the short term. Nobody has said that the recent hammerings Batley have suffered, are down to Thornton. Their recent demise cannot be down to just one man. It must be a deeper problem than that. All I was saying is that there was obviously bother at the club,which is not good to see. We want a strong league.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 8:13 pm  

ABorder wrote:

Gary Thornton is and never would be the root of the problems at any club hes at-if any of you were party to the playing budget hes had to work with over the years youd demand your board went and signed him on as coach immediately.
What hes done at Batley is a miracle.

I agree 100%, always admired Thornton's work at Batley and hope he gets another job soon.