Widnes away

Quote: Chris71 "We do get it wide at times but tend to make a mess of it as its laboured and lacking in real attacking thrust as it tends to go along the line rather than forward with runners/support play. In the opposition 20 we are just so static with very little cut and thrust to bend the defence or break the line as we are just too easy to defend against apart from a last hope kick from Sneyd or but of maverick play from Kelly. I've not seen us utilise any of the forwards to steam onto a ball near the line much at all this season for one.

We have been unable to dominate the middle so far as during the opening rounds we have lost Taylor, Paea, Manu, Green, Bowden and thats without Watts slow stuttering start before his red then move to Cas. So in fairness to the team its difficult when you lose these players and do not have them all on the field fully fit at the same time which so far we have struggled to do on a regular basis. Hopefully now they are coming back from the injuries this will not be a problem.'"

Agree. On the forwards point we miss the lines of Ellis and Watts. Taylor's carried the pack for the last few rounds IMO but his style is all grit and determination, which was why Watts was such a good complement to his style. I'd like to see Bowden do more of this - hopefully when Manu gets back things will improve. The point about looking static in the 20 is spot on. Need more bodies in motion to pull the defence out of line. I love Kelly but sometimes I think the team are uncertain as to when he's going to do something orthodox or try something outlandish - this brings some fabulous tries but also some inertia when he goes for something simple.