I agree with both points.

Also, based on that game Wigan won't be much of a threat to the fancy teams.

I think teams will get a lot more from Widnes than they bargained for.

Too early to predict. Both Wigan and Widnes should get better.
Widnes showed unbelievable courage out there last night. A man down, and a captain down, playing a team always reaching finals.

Keep all there men on the field, get several players back that was missing and they could be a handful. Last year they was top 8. This season there is no evidence that they won't improve on that.

For me the difference between the teams is that Wigan aren't used to having to win away at Widnes. (Because of the old structure) Every minute matters is something Widnes have always had to adopt. Could be a shaky start for Wigan.

Is this what's going to happen every week? A fan from a team who put in a gritty performance has to start a thread demaning praise and credit?

Great performance from Widnes against the odds . All these saying Widnes wont make the eight maybe right , but it wont be due to lack of effort and if so there will be 3 other decent teams with them . Personally I think 8th or 9th is where well end up , but in that middle 8's the 4 SL sides will be too strong for the others, best hope of promotion is the 1 of million pound game.

The Vicar

I was really happy for them, their defence really improved as the game moved on, and Willie Isa and Manoka what's his name? were a handful. They have a touch of class from Brown, Mellor, and Handbury, and Heremaia is a handy player at the ruck, but I think their pack overall is weak and their outside backs are very mediocre. I think they'll finish anywhere between 7th and 10th.

Their outside backs are not mediocre, they are poor. Winger Isa and the full back Hanbury are the only two who rise to the standard of mediocre, and look good because they are in a poor setting. The centres are diabolically poor. Betts is a nice man, but he has little talent to work with. Widnes has no chance of making the top 8.

As for Wigan, if their five eighth Williams doesn't learn how to tackle, then Wigan won' t make the top four. His attempt on Mellor was Kieron Dixonesque.

Widnes have every chance of making the top 8. Personally I rate it as 50/50. I certainly would not bet on the odds of them getting in the top 8 being 0%.

Can you remember to use full names please

Swear filter?

Why Widnes cannot make the top 8 (in order of probable finish):


St Helens
Warrington
Wigan
Catalans

Leeds
Huddersfield

Salford
Hull KR
Hull FC
Castleford

If wigans backs can't catch better than that they won't be top 4 either

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