Be nice to get that attendance but I doubt it, both ends would be open I presume,mind you I think they did that for the Salford game a few seasons back and put the schoolkids in the West Stand.

I'm looking forward to the game now and I'm even getting a little, uncharacteristically, excited.



I couldn't possibly predict this result though. There are far too many unknown quantities with these two teams to get any idea of how the game may pan out. Even the new ipitch won't necessarily be an advantage yet, as we haven't played a proper competitive game on it yet - just training and a run out against the U20's.

What we do know, is that Wakey will be no mugs. They never have been, since there promotion to the top flight. This is a fresh start for them to and they'll be just as fired up as we are, with a desire to on our bonfire.

We are going to need our best players out there on Friday and, in particular, Anthony Watts. With him in the side, playing the full 80 mins, I'll stick my neck out and say we'll win. Without him, I'm not so sure.








[iOur father who art in heaven
Please heal Anthony Watts' Hammy for Friday[/i

Obviously my heart says Widnes but my head says I don't know.I won't be surprised by any result, be it a narrow Widnes win,a narrow Wakefield win,a comfortable win for either side or a draw.I will sit on the fence and go for the draw,might even have a tenner on it at 16/1.

Attendance 6900.

Tough call in that both teams are unknown quantities.

Its well documented Wakey would have lost out in the franchise renewals, which I think brings another edge to this encounter. Both teams will be out to prove a point, with Wakey maybe having far more to prove.

As much as I would like to see Widnes start their new SL era off with a win, I think good old Yorkshire grit will see Agar's charges nicking it in the last quarter.

It will be close that's for sure. I think Wakefield will edge it due to a bit more sl experience but I ain't banking on it. The lack of a decnt goal kicker for wakey may have a big bearing on this game.

If Watts has a good game and is fit he could be the match winner.I have only watched him briefly against Saints, and he was magic and the best halfback i have seen in a Widnes shirt for a long time.

First and foremost welcome back into SL!! I'm sure most Wakey supporters are happy to have you back even if it does mean possibly losing the first game of 2012!

As for the game, i'm just hoping for a tight affair. Last season was brutal, watching such an inexperienced side torn to shreds at time. For both sets of fan, i do hope it's a closely contested match.

As previously mentioned, it's going to be scrappy, and littered with errors, but such is the case in all fixtures in round 1. Two new squads desperate to start the season well and i'd expect the likes of Watts, Smith or John to be the difference in scores

Thankyou mate i am looking forward to the game, but can not make the game because of work.So i be watching on sky as i live in Gloucester.I think most clubs and fans are happy we are back in Superleague.

Except it's not well documented is it?

This is the result of the lazy journalism and media driven assumption both pre and post franchise decision, the truth it is not!

Beleive me I KNOW 1st hand that Wakefields franchise application was better than Celtics, Halifax's and at least two other clubs.

This "Wakefield saved by Crusaders withdrawal" statement has now almost become fact for no other reason than it's been said a lot and no one has continually challenged it.

Watts out for 2 weeks is believed to be the rumour with his hamstring. Hope its not true, if all that was true about the hamstring playing up in cold weather etc i really cant see him playing.