I think 2023 will be a tough season generally.

Saints, Wigan & Catalan will of course still be up there, then you'll have Leeds with an off season under Rohan Smith who they have responded very well to, Hull FC will be expecting better things with TS in charge and Huddersfield will also be up in the 6 so with us that makes 7 clubs going for 6 spots, and Leeds & Hull especially I expect significant improvements from in terms of their league position. Cas & Salford had good years too in 2022 and will want to back that up.

If we can sort out positions 4 & 6 I'm very confident in the squad generally, with younger players who had some exposure at the end of 2022 to offer support, just depends whether the players start buying in to the coach. It's a top 4 squad if we can sort out 4 & 6.

Perhaps it's just off season optimism, but when you put it like that, the sport could be in for a better season next year with standards across a whole range of clubs going up, making for a much better competition hopefully with us in the mix

....off the back of a successful world cup (although looking down the England squad I'm not filled with confidence!)

In a selfish way I’m glad we only have Williams from our club in the international mix this year. We need the squad to be fully focussed on the league campaign. Regarding Williams, he’s clearly full of energy and determination, sometimes trying too hard on his own at times, so spending a few games behind a big pack where he can make a more useful contribution should be good for him to build confidence. Hopefully he’ll come back better for it.

Williams will be a lot better if we can get him in and around the 20m line more for his short kicking game. Having dufty support running will also make him look better from a bit further out. He won't be any better with ball in hand on the last from our half though. I think we have to be within 30 really for his high kick to the corner, otherwise the chasers won't get there to put pressure on the defenders.

Sneyd would have been an excellent signing for us last season. His kicking game can be very effective and would compliment Williams nicely (which I think would also be the case for England).

Just finished listening to the interview. Credit for the honesty of Powell, there were a few points where he really exposes himself as a contributor to the seasons failure. I get the impression that he put this forward as a relationship builder, which he should get credit for.

But all in all, it’s a bit of red meat for the fans in my opinion. Enough honesty and accountability for it to be credible, but enough of a spin for 2023 to be sellable.

The poignant point for me was the honesty of when he confessed to changing under pressure, particularly when he referenced kicking penalties when it was against his philosophy. My takeaway from that, if I was him, would be to be robust on your principles and stick by them. It’s a contradiction banging on about being consistent with values and philosophy, only to undermine yourself when the pressure is on. Exactly the behaviour he has cited as being the flaw with the club.

2022 is in the bin. Time to move on.

Great posts Easywire. It sounds like it's been a bit of a nightmare behind the scenes and it would explain, in part, why we've been so poor. I honestly think any manager would have struggled with this, but only time will tell. I'm feeling more positive that hopefully the right players are aboard with the right attitude. Good point made too about having most of our players ready to train during the WC.

As Barbed Wire has said, 22 in the bin, time to move on.

And the final aftershock of an abject Warrington season, just one representative in the WC squad.

I for one am delighted. I hope the players who thought they could down tools, insult the fans and the badge and waltz into the squad are suitably humbled.

Who are you thinking of? I can't think of anyone who might have thought that.

I must say, when I read the squad, I was actually quite impressed that form had been taken into account. Realistically, some of the “expected” squad members would have got in squads of yesteryear.

Ackers, Sneyd and Batchelor are bang in form and are there on merit. No sentiment. Show of intent from Wane.

Ackers has really developed into a top line hooker.

Nice to see another one of our exAcademy players selected for the England squad.

I loved the interview and would love one at the end of every season, good or bad. I like that Powell literally isn't scared to answer any question and i thought Carney was a brilliant interviewer.
I'm really excited for next and can't wait for it to start
And i'm also glad only 1 of the squad made the England team. Full off season and a full pre-season under their belts. Genuinely can't wait

I did enjoy the interview. Though I would be interested in hearing thoughts of others on this season. I understand Powell’s “they didn’t buy in” approach, but I wonder what those without a horse in the race would say.

If I was CEO I would have had a chat with Amor and listen to what he saw and what he thought. He’s been in a good system and has no vested interest going forward. Similarly I would speak to Magoulias, to hear his objective thoughts.

You wouldn’t learn much from Cooper/Charnley as they will have a grudge, alternatively you wouldn’t get much from Matautia or Dufty etc. as they have the pressure of loyalty, but those that have seen it and don’t rely on the club for their future should have their story heard.

Pains me to say it, because I've been a fan all his career, but Ben Currie. Also Darryl Clarke. They got picked for the most part on reputation, not form, and had the air of men who knew it and thought it was enough.

Wane's snub might do them both good.

I never thought they had much of a chance. They have lost their edge of pace. Clark always works his knackers off but Currie has for years glued himself to the left edge & waited for the action to come his way.