Looking beyond the three points tonight and trying to look at the actual performance as a whole I have to say that Gleeson really impressed me tonight.

The first 25 minutes of the game Widnes were very much on top and Fax looked sloppy. Ben Black in particular was throwing out some terrible hospital passes. The introduction of Gleeson had a massive impact on the game as a whole. I thought he was terrific, not only impacting with his own efforts, but the shape of the team as a whole looks far more solid and well rounded when he is on the field.

And Ben Black seemed to stop throwing quite so many awful passes and looked a different player with Gleeson in there. Branighan might have taken MOM but for me tonight was changed by Gleeson more than any other. Lets hope he keeps this up and stays fit for the rest of this season!


So, with that in mind, what are everyone elses thoughts with regards to the players who did well, and any who were not quite so good this evening?

He calmed us down in a way, and set our course. But I'm going to have to give MOM to Saiiiiiid, he fired us up when he came on, created loads of gaps, showed us why we signed him.

Makka also showed his strength. He owned Gannon on several occasions. We just need to get him fit so he can have an impact when he comes back onto the pitch.

Either Black aint fit or has Widnes fever. Not played well in either game since that dropped ball (although nobody played well last time there)...

Gleeson came on and and controlled the play a bit more... Although penky came up with a couple late plays that effectively helped win the game..

Dom Maloney worked is clangers off all night!

I have to say the strength of Makka showed in this one. First time he has stood out to me so far.

Thought Frankie did well too actually, much better now he seems to have shed a few pounds. Good day for the big lads then, are Widnes not as strong in the forwards as they like to think then?

calland introduced gleeson just at the right time and turned the first half.
then brought back penky at the right time and he also changed the game.
two very good substitutions.

Hmmm... I thought forward battle was fairly even today... how many breaks from your pack? Well taken win for Fax but to say your forwards dominated was just well... wrong!

Sorry to be on point I'd agree, Gleeson calmed the side down and looked like he knew what he was doing more whereas Penky seemed to come out of Dummy half and hope the runners came. Branighan looked good as he seemed to stay out of the action a bit but come in for key plays as a top stand off with a good scrum half should do. Royston impressive as usual!

You're stuck in the past mate, the forwards didn't need to make the breaks, just win the collision, get to their feet the quickest and a clean play the ball when in possession or get set when not in possession. Let Brannigan do the rest steering us around the field......

I was just thinking that, surely it's the backs jobs to make breaks. Which White certainly did.

I wasn't sure about Paul White, when we brought him in, but I thought he did well last night.

to beat widnes at there place is awesome, confidence will be flowing in the camp, well done fax!

Gleeson was quality last night, calm head and superb distribution and dummy running. He made the right choices every time. I was worried when he went off late on.

Attacking there is no problem. It's his defence which worries me, he didn't take a kick all night, leading to a try and a very close disallowed one and his positioning was a bit off.

It will all come with match practise though I'm sure.

Back to Gleeson he came on at just the right time in the first half. We started to lull, falling off tackles, not moving up and the forwards started to hide as they were out of puff. Gleeson and Said came on and breathed new life into us, Gleeson was busy and brought the forwards onto the ball and caused havok in their defence.

I still think he should start though with Penky off the bench.

Gleeson was awesome last night. He seemed to step it up a gear when he came on really pushing Widnes on to the back foot. Fantastic impact player and I'm glad he wears a Fax shirt!