OK it may be that we don't have much choice in the way we go about our recruitment, in that we don't have the cash to bring in half a dozen stars each season. However I sense that is not what Denis would want to do anyway, preferring to keep a strong core of the squad together with a good team ethic, adding a few extra quality players here and there that address identified weaknesses.

Our first batch of recruitment was on a "beggars can't be choosers" basis as a new SL Club, so it wasn't surprising that a few players with less than perfect attitudes slipped through the net and were ultimately weeded out.

Our more targeted approach to bring in the likes of Brown and Tickle, has really paid dividends, as has a rare overseas signing in Galea (by that I mean a player who hadn't played in SL). We have also found the scope to bring in Phil Joseph and give him his chance.

Now we have addressed a size issue in our pack with the arrival of Manuokafoa and Dudson, a lack of zip at dummy half with the arrival of Heremaia and some extra flair in the second row with the arrival of Clarkson. OK it is debatable whether the Dave Allen who finished the season well, should have been released, but clearly the judgement was made.

What we haven't seen is a move for an outside back, which maybe due to Denis concentrating limited resources on stiffening up the pack, maybe lack of availability or may simply be that Denis is confident that we will get a better season out of Phelps, Marsh and Ah Van and or that the likes of Declan Hulme and maybe even Ryan Ince will kick on and force their way into contention for some game time.

What has been particularly pleasing is that established squad players have in the main continued their own development under Denis' guidance and improved their game year on year. Hopefully more improvement will be seen from the backline with Brett Hodgson's increased contribution too.

This approach has got to give us an advantage over sides that year on year make wholesale changes to their squad, in the search for the right blend and quality.

In theory we should be able to use our continuity to kick start the season, whilst other squads are getting up to speed.

Sadly the only thing that has been absent following this approach has been the extra fans needed for us to kick on further. Lets hope we can have another good season and tempt a few more to come along!

I couldn't have put it better myself. Agree 100%

The proof of the pudding will be in the eating this coming season.I am suspecting a bottom 4 finish myself but we shall see.I find it disappointing that the likes of Kavanagh and Johnson will likely find themselves on the outside with the arrival of Dudson and further down the pecking order.I know those two aren't the biggest of lads but why sign them in the first place if size is the main factor.Johnson was awarded a contract extension early last year and has barely been seen since.I feel there is much more in those two,and Craven as well,than we have seen so far.A careful approach to coaching individuals and getting the best from players already here can be just as fruitful as a careful approach to recruitment.

The game needs some sort of reserve team bringing back for all Super League clubs, that would at least guarantee game time for the likes of Craven, Gore and Hulme etc who currently could go months without playing any games and then are expected to perform to a decent standard once in. The RFL needs to sort that out.

The reserve teams and U21's were lost to the clubs at the clubs request to save money. Many supporters of most SL clubs have been calling for a Reserve league to be re-introduced to allow the remainder of their squad can get a game.

Thought the #askthevikings with Heremaia tonight was entertaining and showed more evidence of a really strong team bond even amongst the new faces. For all that's been said about our rate of progress I think back to when we were letting players go because of discipline issues.

our approach, is the best loing term way, and was proving that the licence system can work, unfortunately the way the RFL flit from one idea to the next with little long term planning ruined that.

It seems that amongst the wider RL community, due respect is given to us and how we've shown that the licensing system can work. This hasn't always been the case from the pundits who gloss over our record - with a few exceptions. It has been frustrating as a fan (trying to convert people to the game) seeing the RFL flit from one idea to the next. The jury is still out on the Super 8's. I'm hoping that this formula works and we can stick with it.

From the RFL: 'The fundamental purpose of the new structure is to make Rugby League’s professional competitions more exciting, by restoring promotion and relegation in a sustainable manner.'

Let's hope so...

Yes we will just have to see how it pans out,the new system of 3x8.Quite ironic though how many of we Widnes fans complained when we missed out on a licence in 2009 ,about being stuck in the lower division for at least three years yet now that P&R has returned, some have changed their minds about it.That was one of the negatives about licensing,it allowed clubs to be in the comfort zone with no pressure which can never be a good thing in sport.

Problem is that they have just cut down to 12 teams so we can hardly say that any of the 12 are in the comfort zone. If karl Kirkpatrick was still around and did a couple of our middle 8 games (If we end up there) we would have been really struggling.

I think Wire, Wigan, Saints and Leeds are definitely in the comfort zone with Huddersfield not far behind and Salford could well be up there to this time.

I think one area Widnes are strong in is team morale, most of the squad have been together a number of years now and we have no big egos, while this won't neccessarly win you a match it helps when times are tough. I think we'll be as usual pretty tough to beat at home and once again much will depend on how we travel. Should we finish in the bottom 4 which is a high possibility then i won't be panicking, i think we have enough about us to bounce straight back from the split.

I think the home wins v Warrington,Saints and Wigan helped give a false impression.There were those 'silly' home defeats to Cas,Wakefield and that almighty spanking from Hull.Can't afford daft home losses this year.

We should have an advantage in terms of cohesiveness in the early games, but they are a tough set of fixtures, so we need to find a few wins early on. Wigan tend to be slowish starters, so there may be a chance in our opening game. We need to break our duck against Wakey too. Hard to see us winning at Leeds or Hudds, based on past performances, depends if we get a roll on. Maybe both Wigan and Saints will have a weather eye on the World Club Challenge series of games, lets hope so!