Anyone who thought this season was going to be anything other than slightly better than last has surely now realised it isnt.

Ian Millward aint no messiah and was a very lucky boy first time round because the only way was up and a decent crop of players were just about coming through at the right time and the NFP or whatever it was then was a pale imitation of the Championship as it is today.

Millward got the Stains job on the back of his father and inherited a champion side that only required minor adjustments to continue its sucess and in fairness he did keep things ticking along but it was only when a truly world class coach Anderson came along Saints really excelled with superior disapline and fitness levels.

This is his biggest challenge to date because hes inherited (with the exception of 3 or 4) a very poor championship squad that took us down last season.

Is a OAP Robbie Paul man for man any more influencial than at this level than Watson at 1st reciever on the evidence to date the answer is surely no????

John Duffy any better than Smith??????

Hartley better than Ridyard at 6???? (at least Ridyard has pace a step and is not injury prone).

The key positions are again filled by players that lack genuine pace and thats the key to the problems and has been for a few years now.

It doesnt boad well and it could be the season that puts Ian Millwards status in doubt IMO.

You signed injury prone in Hartley and Duffy, Duffy used to get concussed about once a fortnight for us.

Go away VM you little smelly floater

I wondered what the funny smell was when I logged onto this thread

He was also one of the Vikings smartest players in attack last season and for me ran with far more purpose than captain Smith. You only have to look at the influence he had on some of Widnes' home games last season and of course the Northern Rail Cup Final.

Speaking to John he was disappointed he didn't play more games last term for Widnes but he's in better shape now than he was then and you get the feeling he is enjoying being back