You forgot to mention the one thing that Widnes and said football team have in common though...

I think Jenky means AFC Fylde rather than Fleetwood, Wurzel, unless he's changed teams?

Ooooops apologies, I must remember cider and forums shouldn't be mixed!!!

See this is what people dont understand, we didnt have 6 months extra. We could only speak to players after the september deadline. IIRC the only players we could speak to before this was players over in Aus or players in their final year of a contract (which is hard as most are signed up long term these days). Its been reported we went for big named players with £££ thrown to them but they turned it down for bigger clubs and chance to win trophies, as Scooter Nik pointed out, the 1st year was always going to be hard, but hopefully next year we can turn it round and move up the table.

So what was the point of announcing widnes's elevation to sl months before the end of the season

players can get signed up when there still in contract hence why Widnes were given 6 months notice to prepare

.....and they can only speak to them from the same date, they could last season, so why would there be any difference. They had plenty time to tap up the aussies but failed. Any players seeing the 50+ ave points conceded will just say haha to any offer. New coach needed to help attract anything good IMO

Betts wont be coach soon, if not now but next year they will get someone better in, maybe Basil?

Nonsense. If part of the franchising strategy is to let a team in that will get walloped most weeks, it sums up what is wrong with the running of the game.

He's not exactly putting himself 'in the shop window' with the way Cas are shaping this season!! (and I appreciate this season should not be what he is judged on, for obvious reasons.)....I think he'll want the chance to put his own stamp on the squad next year - something that he wasn't afforded the time to do when he was at W*gan!!

Maybe they'll chuck money at the problem, and entice a top NRL coach over....or go for someone like Powell or Kear from Championship. Is there anyone else - beside Nobby - with a track-record, who's currently out of job? Did Justin Morgan go back to Aus?

Heard from a good source players are not listening and do not understand his tactics.Can't believe he is still in a job Betts.

Thing is with Betts is that he's not built up any 'good-will' with the speccies, 'cos he's never done anything!! At least if you'd gone up having won something during his tenure, there would be evidence of his ability as a coach!! He might see out the season, but I suspect you'll have someone new in charge come 2013!!

If people think that players cant be talked to before the 'deadline' they are sadly out of touch (agents can be spoken to).

But O'Connor must get rid of Betts and I have said so for ages, If Widnes fail then the SLE will use them as a bat to bludgeon the rest of Rugby League as they do not want P&R and want a smaller league.

I think Morgan is an assistant at Canberra Raiders.