The usual encouraging atmosphere at the Dinner last night, plus a much greater sense of confidence. Better stronger squad, improved fitness regime, more varied coaching input and greater strength in depth.

OK it is impossible to legislate for what the opposition have been doing to prepare, but it would seem that we have ratcheted things up a few notches across the board. Great team spirit and togetherness, very much in evidence again, with TO'C (who is admittedly massively biased) suggesting that the atmosphere amongst the Widnes squad is unique in his experience across Superleague.

Message from Denis that he and the coaching staff are faced with real selection dilemmas as there are many more quality players competing for places in the 17 than ever before and that the pre-season games have also demonstrated that any of the younger players called upon, will be ready and not played out of desperation. He made it clear that the squad has been assembled for the season as a whole and that different combinations would be needed for different games.

Kevin Brown also at Terry's behest attempted to put to bed all the rumours of him being interested in going to Australia, making it clear that he was very happy here playing with his mates, proud to be captaining the side and that they fear nobody (a far cry from his early games when he was occasionally fearful of what sort of blowout score it might be if certain teams cut loose against us!).

These nights always have a feelgood factor, but I sensed some steely determination beneath the surface!

IIRC Sky money went up for this year plus of course we have released players.

Hopefully the majority who have not renewed will continue their support and attend games.One reason for the drop is games being played Thursday Friday and Sunday.People can't plan ahead.

This could be the reason guess we will never know, likewise it could be the reason an extra 500+ have bought SH because we have switched to mainly Sunday matches (Sky pick aside). Let hope we can do as well if not better than last season, Final and top 4/6 maybe (lots of fingers crossed for this one!) and our average over the full season can edge to or break the 6,500 barrier. I feel it need to if we are continue our year on year improvement as the extra money helps to retain players both experienced and youth and also can aid in signing the better quality players to improve the squad as people leave or are released.

Bring on Thursday COYV.

Just seems unlikely that hundreds of people can go from season ticket holders one year to not interested at all the next,all at the same time.A couple of dozen maybe. There must be a common denominator and no regular match day is it I reckon.That goes for all clubs of course.

Well I have had a family tickets for the past 3 yrs but because of the change in format of the SH, the big increase in price for me and 2 kids tickets (family ticket) added to the fact the kids don't want to go every week I chose to just get Adult ticket this year for me and will take kids a couple of times should they want to go. Will this from the clubs perspective but noted as two lost SH'ers? But I have never been contacted and asked why not a family ticket anymore.

I also know of 3 people who are not renewing this year from last year for different reasons, not sure can make matches every round, another gets free tickets so no need to buy a SH.

I too questioned the number being in the hundreds, it does seem a lot from one season to the next.