Re: Round 2- Widnes : Mon Feb 22, 2016 9:50 am  

Ok you didn't mention the ref, it was a tough game, credit to both sides, etc etc.

Re: Round 2- Widnes : Mon Feb 22, 2016 10:07 am  

Lets hope Lui can keep this form up that guys running is class he really is a player Widnes couldn't deal with him. Wigan next up.

Re: Round 2- Widnes : Mon Feb 22, 2016 10:21 am  

I agree Lui has been a real find, I loved Chases moments of magic but this guy seems to have it all and seems to have that consistency.
Let's not forget he was only being kept out of the Cowboys side by a certain Mr JT.

Re: Round 2- Widnes : Mon Feb 22, 2016 11:53 am  

Started where we left off vs Saints and blew them away in the first 30 minutes, shame we bombed a couple of opportunities to really put the game beyond them before half time. That last 10 minutes was also a disappointing way to finish the half, especially with the offside from the kick off which gifted them another set of 6 in our 20. Widnes didn't deserve those 10 points they went in with and ended up going into the changing rooms with their tails up.

I thought the second half was much closer, again we gifted them two tries (first one with Carney losing the ball and second O'Brien failing to deal with the kick through) but credit where credit is due, the lads dug in and got the 2 points.

Slight negative, I don't see what Phil Joseph brings the party. Give me Olsi Krasniqi or Matthew Haggerty in the 17 any day of the week. Apart from that, excellent again

Re: Round 2- Widnes : Mon Feb 22, 2016 1:39 pm  

Agree with you JGR. Thought Joseph would be good squad member in case of injuries.

Re: Round 2- Widnes : Mon Feb 22, 2016 1:49 pm  

I think they see Joseph as a battering ram, thing is he isn't battering anything, for me Krasniqi offers more for longer periods on the pitch.

As for the penalty for off side from the KO each and every one of them wants shooting for that, it's just inexcusable, the Ref will have told them to keep back and unless you're going for a short KO it's actually a redundant thing to do.

At various times yesterday you could make an argument for O'Brien playing and then in the next breath for Evalds coming back, it is a tricky situation as the last thing we want is to alienate Evalds and have him do a Fages as I'm certain there would be no end of suitors from SL.

I think part of the problem yesterday was we took our foot of Browns throat, in that first few minutes some big hits went in on him and he disappeared, when he started to get a bit of room he showed what he can do, in cases like this in the first few minutes make sure he gets the ball from kicks and pummel him.

Re: Round 2- Widnes : Mon Feb 22, 2016 5:14 pm  

John Gilbert Reds wrote:

Slight negative, I don't see what Phil Joseph brings the party. Give me Olsi Krasniqi or Matthew Haggerty in the 17 any day of the week. Apart from that, excellent again

Agree re Joseph but thought he ran the line better yesterday later in the game..he's difficult to get down..low centre of gravity or whatever? so takes a bit of steam out of the opposition defence.. but saying that I would like to see Haggerty given a chance if the coaching staff decide to rotate the squad and freshen things up a bit for Thursday and see what he can do?

Think we should keep O'Brien full back and use Evalds later in the game as interchange...his speed on the flank could pay dividends against a hopefully tiring Wigan side as they had a hard game Saturday

Re: Round 2- Widnes : Mon Feb 22, 2016 5:25 pm  

For me I think Joseph had a point to prove against his old team, and was therefore not playing to the game plan he was told to play.

If it had been me i would not of played him to be honest.

Same on thurs nite i wouldnt play Tomkins for the same reason, and i would bring Nail in as fullback, and put o'brien on the bench as cover for Lee, I would also be looking at making a couple of changes in the forwards depending on fitness.

We need 2 points against Wigan to keep the ball rolling then we on the front foot for the Wire game.

Re: Round 2- Widnes : Mon Feb 22, 2016 5:26 pm  

I've only watched the highlights but I think our trust in the management teams decision making is well placed.
Joseph must be satisfying them and we're winning !
Leave them to it.
Having said all that,whilst the decision to play O'Brien is working,I worry that we'll lose Evalds and he will become a star turn for another club. He was deservedly given the number 1 jersey and it's too easy for us to say he should be patient.
He should be patient !

Re: Round 2- Widnes : Mon Feb 22, 2016 6:16 pm  

Bonita Red wrote:

Having said all that,whilst the decision to play O'Brien is working, I worry that we'll lose Evalds and he will become a star turn for another club. He was deservedly given the number 1 jersey and it's too easy for us to say he should be patient. He should be patient !

Totally agree, he should just buckle down and be patient and when given the opportunity grasp it like O'Brien did. If he chooses to Do One well i'll be totally disappointed with Koukash as he's asking the fans to subsidise the Academy then when youngsters like Theo, Niall come through they get sold. No wonder he wants the fans to fork out for the Academy Etc... He's onto a winner if they get flogged.