Actually no.

If they were as effective as a bag of marshmallows - what does that say about your forwards?
So, I really don't think you should be bagging your own players. They've only lost one game at home. Keep the faith Mr HatedAndAdored. Or should i say Haggy'sForearmSmash? Or GetThemScallyWags?

Take off that mask you imposter

I said yesterday that Fax's gameplan would be to try and rattle our cage and with Haggerty that is exactly what they did from the off.. his first carry ended with him checking his mouth to see whether it was bleeding.
Haggerty's problem last night was that he tired very quickly which led to him being sloppy... If we are talking about dirty Tamghart's challenge on Yates was despicable... he sized him up and nearly yanked the lads head off.

I wouldn't say that Fax's forwards did anything too impressive last night nor would I say they bossed our lads around. The game was fairly even from that score. The game changed when Widnes tired and made a few stupid mistakes. Two tough games in five games had a visible effect on our players and but for a few millimetres in Grady's kicking we would have won.
They've packed their team with 'stars'.. last night we had five players on the pitch that have come through the academy system and we matched them. That will be of more interest to the RFL who have targeted Youth Development as a key area in the licence decisions.

I've also heard Fax fans say that they haven't got started yet... well... they could just as easily get worse..

Doesn't say much about your forwards then does it Haggertysknee?

You need to do more than match us with those players. Seriously - do you think they're good enough for SL? They can't even beat a team of grandad's. Mate, as soon as you get the nod - SOC will get his cheque book out and why not? He'd be crazy not to but don't pretend you've got a raft of juniors waiting to take on Super League. We've packed our team "full of old stars" because we need to get bums on seats for 2015 - at the moment our attendances are woefull (if improving slightly). Our "fake" youth policy will start in 2013 i reckon.

With have a number of home grown players in our squad now. One homegrown player came on to set up the second to last try when he replaced Black. So don't keep on bringing up the old stories about we have this and that, it's just boring.

It was a poor game last night skillwise, but a completely hard fought contest from both sides! No one was giving an inch last night.

I actually thought Widnes had the better of the first half where we took a number of opportunities that you gifted us. In the second half I thought we were the better side but tried to push it too much and left the door open for a tense finish.

Look forward to a more clashes during the season. Until then good luck with the rest of your games.

I'd fully agree with that, Widnes seemed better in first half yet sloppy play gifted Fax the tries to win the half, then the opposite was the same in the 2nd half, Fax looked better yet let us back into it really, unfortunately we just fell short... this time !

Genuinely speaking...
Flynn, Grady and Houghton I'd take into SL tomorrow if we got there... especially on this seasons form. They have developed year on year and will make the grade I'm certain.
Yates is not turning out to be the player he promised he might be and is continuing to struggle at this level. I personally would loan him out to see whether we can build his confidence.
Thompson has had a flying start to his professional career so who knows where he might go from here,
Strong.. Personally I think he has potential... but SL is a big step up.
The next crop of youngsters are supposedly even better than the much lauded u18's side that featured Richie Myler according to one gentleman I know who has been involved with schoolboys rugby etc for some time.
Hulme had a fantastic game the other night, Wood-Hulme is supposed to be a terrific player too.

The biggest factor in all this is Stuart Wilkinson who was responsible for the development of all those players over at Leeds. People associated with the club and the game are genuinely excited about one or two prospects that we have and are doing a lot now to make sure we keep them for the future. So.. you can join your mates that like to sit on the other side of the fence paying a fortune to players coming to the end of the career and point fun at our youth policy but it is bearing fruit and will do so even more in the next couple of years.

Been discussing the squad ambition for SL on another board & wigan one here and long term thinking for 2012 i'd take most of squad up and just fill holes with few quality signings.

Too old...

Webster, Gannon & Kohe
But those guys are here to help the younger lads as much as how they go on the pitch and are great pro's for that.

Won't make it...
Doran

Possibles...
Varks (big fella & versatile for squad player). Gaskell (depends how he goes next two seasons, 28 isn't old but will he still have his evasive speed and ability?)

Other older players in the side I believe would come up...

Smith, Allen (24!), Haggerty (experience) & Ford (covers all backs see how he goes next two as well) Pickersgell here as well sorry!

The rest are all 21 and under I think!

Don't get me wrong - your youth policy is to your credit but our priority has to be our attendances. Two things are stopping us getting a licence in 2012. Our attendances and the lack of a youth policy. I believe we are trying to address the first priority. I would hope that by 2013 we will have started to youth set up. Our priority is different from yours at the moment - it has to be. The RFL have made it perfectly clear that having home grown players is a must but we have to get where you are now with our crowds. Hopefully 2015 won't be out of our reach. We will see.

Your right there, in one year Fax where never gonna get a youth set up the RFL would call acceptable for a heartlands side... didn't take ours last time (excuses mind you).

For Fax to have a shot at SL 2012 IMO you need to be pretty dominate on the pitch (win league at least) and match our crowds then your on pitch could take on our youth etc. I don't see the two heartalnds top championship clubs going up together unfortunately!

You've made your bed with the congratulatary attitude of his thuggery, through your avatar, forum name and posts like "lets give him a good send off before his ban" Now you'll have to lie in it. The only thing you contribute is sore losing and the condoning of foul play from a man who should really know better.



Where have people been celebrating like we have won a cup final? I certainly haven't. I've watched this game and Halifax for too long to know the season isn't won in March, last year anybody? We've every right to feel pleased with a victory over a team who will be around the top come the business end of the season, on a ground where we usually get tonked on a Thursday night as well and managing to win when we (as well as yourselves) were under par. Also the combination of Fax fans thinking we might lose and your own supporters thinking you were going to win easily explains the fact why we are so chuffed.

That was bad, should have been a yellow at least, he was beaten by the step with a poor technique. Gannon should also have been binned for his grapple tackle on Worrincy.

Seriously if I can get underneath your skin and similarly weak minded individuals with such ease, then my job is done. Go me!



By the same token, where were all the Widnes fans claiming we were going to win easily?

You live in a fantasy land fella.

By the same token, if Fax fans can get under your skin for even daring to say Haggerty's actions were thuggish then our job is done, go us!