Widnes played well and we didn't, especially in the first half.

Brown and Hanbury were pretty much at their best and given enough possession and field position both of those players will unpick the best teams.

We were better in the 2nd half and actually out scored the Vikings 14-6 leaving the obvious statement that the poor 1st half showing cost us the game.

We need another halfback which was obvious before the game and was confirmed by how Widnes defended against us.

It needs to be

I've always said that we should look for another halfback because Miller and Finn is hardly an inspiring combination.

Got Cas to look forward to next week.

Not too bad for first game of the season and with so many players making their SL debut for Trinity.
Widnes gifted the win but, Smith may be happier than Betts.
We have plenty of improvement in us whereas, whilst happy with the 2 points, may struggle further down the line.
Some of our defence was superb and the "gang" tackles to put them in touch times were excellent.

Not happy but, a substantial improvement on the same fixture last season and we will only get better.

Same old same old. Throwing silly passes in our own half, playing panic/catch up rugby when we go a score behind, dumb mistakes gifting the opposition points (Johnstone and BJB cost us 12) and cheap penalties. That said I thought we looked a lot fitter and defended with a lot more purpose, kept them to 6 second half and that was a gift. Didn't look too bad with ball in hand but still lacking composure. Another winnable game that's gone begging.

Well we didn't give up which is a positive but we weren't particularly good. Neither though if we are honest were Widnes so it is difficult to judge where we are currently at. Too many daft errors and penalties killed us and although the scrambling defence at times was good there is an awful long way to go in terms of improvement. Ultimately Widnes were there for the taking and we wasn't good enough to take advantage. All teams struggle with timing at this time of the year so our progression over the next 3 or 4 weeks will be crucial.

Unfortunately, the bad error by Johnstone near half time cost us dear. He may have the potential, but he just isn't ready yet. I am also uninspired by BJB at fullback

Another thing that cost us dear, was the lack of support play every time our forwards made a half break, especially England, who was always looking to offload.

We do need another half back, Miller isn't an all round half back, and Finn is just way too slow.

I would bring in Tansey at full back, with BJB moving to the wing. Tupou and Lyne did ok again

Agree with all this. Three unforced errors cost us the game, but some excellent defence on show against what I thought was a dirty Widnes team. I came away thinking the same, we will get better under Smith's leadership.
Funny to hear the result at Batley. Chuffed for John Kear today

I was happy with the commitment and there's certainly been a big improvement on last year especially in the tackling, fitness and cohesion departments. Feel a bit sorry for BJB whose knock on cost us the try in the second half, not much he could do with the pass from Johnstone, it was needless and unexpected but sadly our errors always seem to cost us. Early days, an 8 point loss when you've gifted them 12 is encouraging, hopefully it'll all come good next week.

Thought England was more costly than any other player in that 1st half. The two lazy penalties he gave away gifted Widnes the platform for two tries.

Bit of a frustrating game really, seemed whenever we built a bit of momentum we knocked on. Also they punished us each time.

On a positive on another day, those balls stick and we are away.

Think the structures need a bit more work, to be expected with so many new players bedding in but caught with the ball several times, looking lost.

How we respond next week at Cas is important, they have the potential to score a lot of points so we need to keep the errors to a minimum.

We have just been beaten by the second worst team in the league at home.today was a must win game.if we cant beat a poor widnes team them who will we beat looking at the team today i just dont know how we going score against half decent sides we our halfbacks are poor to say the least.

I think smith got so many things wrong today our form players from pre season hall and walton dont play but johnstone who has abilty has been shocking in pre season played.all fans have said we are lacking half back and centres well that showed today miller was garbage as he has been in 80%of his wakey games i like b topou but he never ever a centre he cant or wont pass the ball.

Yes there was inprovement from last year but from 60 mins onwards the game was over as a contest
I know ill get shot down as always just saying how it is and hope im wrong and we go onto better things

It's about that time of season when the Wakey coach comes out and says they will now be saving players and concentrating on the middle 8s.
Are Wakey offering the tickets for the £1m game yet?

All the above and bloody frozen solid as well.