New Skipper. : Tue May 18, 2010 2:43 pm  

Confirmed by the Widnes World as Dave Allen. Been outstanding since his return to the club and hopefully this news means that he he fit and ready to return to action. Also mentions the possibility of players leaving the club. http://www.runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk/vikings/vikingsnews/8171775.BREAKING_NEWS__Vikings_name_new_skipper_in_shake_up/

Confirmed by the Widnes World as Dave Allen. Been outstanding since his return to the club and hopefully this news means that he he fit and ready to return to action. Also mentions the possibility of players leaving the club. http://www.runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk/vikings/vikingsnews/8171775.BREAKING_NEWS__Vikings_name_new_skipper_in_shake_up/

Re: New Skipper. : Tue May 18, 2010 2:45 pm  

Say's a lot about how far the lad has done since the 'incident' a few years back, well done to him, cracking player one if / if not the best in this division back row forwards!

Wouldn't be too against a few leaving as well, once injuries come in we'll have sooo many players needs chopping up a little!

Re: New Skipper. : Tue May 18, 2010 5:51 pm  

Good appointment, best player in the team on his day and he will lead from the front.

Doesnt say much for Webster imo.

Re: New Skipper. : Tue May 18, 2010 6:27 pm  

I know things could do with a shake up, but I am a bit wary when it actually happens, especially at this stage of the season.

Maybe if things do not improve the next shake up will involve the coach?

Re: New Skipper. : Tue May 18, 2010 6:37 pm  

It's a bit much to start blaming cullen. He has had a terrible run with injuries and we've not had the chance to keep a squad together playing regularly for any length of time this season. It's been one of those seasons. And lest we forget, instead of splashing out on a bunch of ex super league merceneries like we could have, our club has blooded a lot of youngsters and has thought long term, we were unlikely to be first in the table this season and we all knew that before it started.

That said if Haggerty and Pickersgill hadn't been injured and we'd had SMithy available all season who knows where we'd be now?

Don't let one performance against Leigh colour our whole season.

Re: New Skipper. : Tue May 18, 2010 7:56 pm  

Chris, not for one minute am I blaming Cullen - we can only judge him when he is sending out his best 13. I simply made an observation - something has happened behind the scenes.

Re: New Skipper. : Tue May 18, 2010 7:59 pm  

Cull 100% needs to stay for stability and a long term plan. He's coached in SL, we can't replace that experience with anybody.

Regarding the players, we need a fit squad to have a run of games, then we can judge this team, we've used over 30 players this year which will now hit almost 35 with the changes, which is crazy but we had no choice.

Captain choice - 100% agree with, I hope Dave Allen stays injury free until now and the end of the season as he makes a massive difference when on the field and works tirelessly, as does Doran.

Re: New Skipper. : Tue May 18, 2010 11:03 pm  

i suspect you thought of us when you mentioned these "ex super league" players Chris

Re: New Skipper. : Wed May 19, 2010 12:21 am  

faxtastic wrote:

i suspect you thought of us when you mentioned these "ex super league" players Chris

Not exclusively, no. Your club is certainly guilty of it, as was ours a few years back, but my main point is we could have had a better squad than we do now with our resources. We could've thrown money at proven players and not relied on the likes of Grady and Hulme at any point, but there would be no point of doing that. Our goal is super league - we have to prove that our credentials are not short term or just for show.

I'm not having a go at Fax. If it were up to me next time around, I'd throw two out of super league and stick both of us in. There are too many SL clubs resting on their laurels and crawling along whilst we are stuck here and they don't deserve it.

Re: New Skipper. : Wed May 19, 2010 12:30 am  

Bren wrote:

Chris, not for one minute am I blaming Cullen - we can only judge him when he is sending out his best 13. I simply made an observation - something has happened behind the scenes.

Fair enough.