Not criticising DB, but I was surprised when Gore was shipped out for a month. With Brown concussed, Gore is a better option than Craven IMO. he can fill in at half back or hooker and the last game I saw him play(home against St Helens last season), he was outstanding. Since then, the lad's not had a look in and it's hard to see why. Not saying he should start every week, but should be in the 19 every week for me.

Thing is, I think most of the fans who watch the Vikings feel that young Grant is worth his place before Carberry, unfortunately it's Denis Betts that picks team. Let's hope that he knows something we don't.

Gore has had far more of a chance than Carberry has. Liam deserves his chance as he's done well in appearances so far. I'd probably say Carberry has played about 8 SL games in total, whereas Gore has probably had 30+ first team games. I don't think Gore will be back long term in the team at Widnes, if he was going to break through he'd have done it by now.

I don't think Betts is beyond criticism just because he is coach. He does make some odd choices and decisions.
Gore looks a better bet as half back cover than Craven and at hooker than Carberry but Denis does seem to have his favourites.Talk of his playing 30 odd first team games is misleading as most of those came at championship level.Craven has played many more games than Gore at SL level and still looks no nearer the required standard after 4 years.

I think the problem with Gore is that we just don't know how good he really is, for whatever reason he has never had enough game time. Last season must have been very dispiriting for him, he comes back after a long term injury and just cannot get on the park and his age stops him from playing in the Academy so he cannot even get match fit. Also playing at 9 tends to make him unattractive to Championship Clubs, who are keen to develop their own talent there. In a way we are fortunate that Haven were keen to take him, as it will do him no harm at all to get a string of games under his belt!

I didn't see any of the pre-season games, where he at least got some game time, so I cannot comment on where he should sit against Carberry in the pecking order, but clearly Denis has made his mind up, Perhaps Carberry is more versatile, I don't know, he is certainly a bigger unit!

As to whether he should play at halfback ahead of Craven, again I am not sure. I do though think that Craven may have missed the boat, having never really recovered his confidence following that spear tackle against York (?), Again I haven't seen him play this season so he may have picked up, but I think that we will probably look to Gilmore as a potential future first team halfback. OK he needs to bulk up a bit, but he has all the skills. Craven may prove me wrong, but I think we saw the best of him in the Championship.

Gore needs a chance before making jusgements, and what i have seen has not done badly. Too early to judge Carberry, but on the few occasions i feel is too slow, and i prefer speed and hookers to make yards. Craven is on last chance for me, as had enough chances.