warringtonwolves.com/2016-squad- ... ealed-8344 Is this Tony Smith telling us how he see's our squad lining up next season ?...... Gidley at fb, Rhys Evans in the centre, Ratch at stand off etc etc...... discuss

warringtonwolves.com/2016-squad- ... ealed-8344 Is this Tony Smith telling us how he see's our squad lining up next season ?...... Gidley at fb, Rhys Evans in the centre, Ratch at stand off etc etc...... discuss

Wolves squad numbers 2016:

1 Kurt Gidley

2 Tom Lineham

3 Rhys Evans

4 Ryan Atkins

5 Matty Russell

6 Stefan Ratchford

7 Chris Sandow

8 Chris Hill

9 Daryl Clark

10 Ashton Sims

11 Ben Currie

12 Jack Hughes

13 Ben Westwood

14 Joe Westerman

15 Mitchell Dodds

16 Brad Dwyer

17 James Laithwaite

18 George King

19 Ben Harrison

20 Kevin Penny

21 Ben Evans

22 Gene Ormsby

23 Gary Wheeler

24 Toby King

25 Joe Philbin

26 Declan Patton

27 Sam Wilde

28 Jack Johnson

29 Benjamin Jullien

30 Harvey Livett

31 Morgan Smith

I don't read too much in to them usually, but the Gidley one jumps off the page. I had him nailed on at 6

Rhys at 3 and Westerman 14 also jump out I can see Penny pushing for the number 5 shirt, good to see Laithwaite and B Evans in there.

Good to see Morgan Smith brought into the squad. Bookmark his name.

Matty on the wing outside of Rhys is a gamble which if they click will pay great dividends.
At Hull away early in the season when we won 7-6, Rhys tackled like a possessed man nothing got past him.

Must admit I've been generally disappointed in my admittedly limited viewing of him so far, considering the big wraps he had as a scholarship player.

Amazed at this

3 Rhys Evans

I hope it does mean Gidley at 1 and Ratchford at 6. Can see Gidley directing from the rear ala Hodgson

Doesn't really amaze me. He was always likely to move into the centre in due course. If, and it's a big if, he stays fit, then he is first choice centre for me, given Ratchford has been given 6. Hope he stays healthy and gets the chance to show his skills on a long term basis.

That's how many games he'll play.

I'll get me coat.

Not sure why they have given Westwood the no. 13 shirt, with Westerman signed it's pretty clear he (Westerman) will play 13

If we are to make top 4 this year, this season has to be a big year for a number of players:

Sandow: will have to be the best (or close to it) half in the league - his settling in period will hopefully prove invaluable.

Hill / Dodds / Sims / Westwood: Will all have to have as healthy a year as possible.

R. Evans: This is the position he wanted, this is his shot to make it as a centre at Warrington. A poor season, or another injury hit one, could spell the end...?

B. Evans: As above, needs a good run without injuries and to make that 5th prop spot his own - otherwise King / Philbin may take it from him.

Atkins: is our number one centre now I guess. The average (at best) form of the past two years has to be a thing of the past.

I still think we are two very good players short of a championship challenging side.

Couldn't agree more,not lived upto the hype just hope he isn't another Mickey Learmouth

Think it's been a shock for him the step up in physicality and quickness of thinking and general play

Hope he comes good but he needs to realize it's a team game and gets rid of the slapped sulky side when things don't go his way

Over looking one factor, this strikes me as a seriously underwhelming squad, that shouts out mid-table at best. That factor is the opposition: the drop in standards across the league since 2011-2 means I think we've a decent shot at top 4 even with the dubious quality in a number of positions on show. However, unless we pull another top draw prop out of the bag, and something flash in the three quarters, there's little chance of a final I fear.

So. There we have it. Our squad for next year. It's thinner than Kate Moss on the 0-7 diet.

Forgive for not letting off fireworks, but I'm not exactly getting overly enthused. Yes, we've got Hill, and to a certain extent, Clark and Sandow, who are quality, but yet to see it consistently in a Wire jumper. Incoming, we've got a v. old Aussie, an Aussie prop, a couple of Hull cast offs. The rest, shows some potential/horrific injury records/okish.

Just over 2 years ago, we were in a grand final, and a score away from another Wembley final, with (great) players that were on their last legs .
It all seems a long time ago.

I'm not a pessimist, just a realist.
I'm not hopeful, but, from 1-30, please prove me wrong.

Isn't he 17?