I don't particularly view Widnes as a huge game, I think the derby bragging rights thing means more to them.. I just see it as another 2 points to play for.
Maybe it's them spending so long out of the top flight that has diluted my interest.

Agreed, they see this as a much bigger game than we do. I am not too bothered by them and am quite glad they are doing ok this season as would rather them in the league than London and the likes.

The atmosphere at the HJ last season was horrible though and am seriously not taking the kids on Friday as they didn't like it at all as some of their fans were animals!

I quite often like to stand in the away end.
Its more roomy than the south stand.
Last year however we all got moved out for our safety.
I don’t however blame the Widnes species totally for that, there was one steward in particular that was instrumental in what happened that day. He should never be allowed to marshall again and should have faced prosecution.

The atmosphere before that incident and outside the ground was horrible, both the stewards and the Widnes fans contributed to just a horrible atmosphere all game.

Biggest game of the year for mine. If things have been quiet in recent years, your have to say last year definitely rekindled the embers.

Expecting a bumper crowd and a passionate performance, but I won't hold my breath.

There is nothing about Widnes I like. Can not stand loosing to them and last year was a nightmare come true. I agree the rivalry has subsided but the last 3 years it has slowly clawed it'sway back and last year capped it off I think. Our main derby is back.

Never really felt like a derby to me in the past, don't know if that's down to them being newly promoted and us winning things, however now they have improved and we have slipped off and likely won't win any silverware, then it does feel more derby like this time. I didn't like losing at home to them last year, and this year I think they will bring a lot more fans confident of a win, and I would hate to see how smug they would be if they pull it off.

Hope the players feel the same and react, important game

Just playing devils advocate here Duckie, but it wasn't the stewards which set off 2 smoke bombs one of which was thrown towards the pitch and hit one of their own fans..

MikeyW throwing a smoke bomb isn't in the spirit of the game and a spoiling tactic I don't condone.
But although there could be some danger it is very unlikely.

Regardless of if he did throw the smoke bomb the action or if you prefer reaction from that Steward didn't warrant it. It was perhaps the worst assault I've ever witnessed at live sport ever.
The fan was rowdy but never hit anyone. That steward hit him in his face over and over. It was sickening to watch. I was stood less that 4 metres from it.

Big, big question?

Whos your kicker? Ratchford? I had him in my team last week and Bridge kicked. I've gone for Tickle for Widnes, Hopefully get some goals

the main derby for me is wigan,,hate losing to that lot.widnes is just another game same as when we played leigh years ago and salford...its true what some are saying tho it has more of a derby feel from the widnes lot,maybe they get a kick out of beating a bigger club

I wish people would stop saying this doesn't feel like a true derby and it's not that important to beat widnes. This IS our derby and its about time smith and the players started to treat it accordingly. Personally, a defeat to this lot hurts more than any other. No true warrington fan EVER wants widnes to win and that includes when they are playing wigan or saints.

Really couldn't care less how we fare against Widnes. It's a zero emotion game.

Very mixed views from your lot. This is definitely the biggest game for me, the one I look forward to more than other. Would love nothing more than to see a strong Widnes and Warrington derby year after year

The fans, atmosphere, the rivalry, the game. Look forward to it more than Catalans away and magic weekend. Doing the double last year felt amazing and I know it hurt a few of you.

Hope it's a cracking game for all to see and can sooner rather than later rekindle its name for the best derby in the game.

I couldn't care less about the fact it's Widnes, I consider the games against Saints & Wigan much more absorbing, but what I do care about is getting a result AND a performance because this team really, really, really needs one.

Cas away on Monday looks very tough, so this weekend could well be pivotal.