Phantom Horseman your correct and to be honest a few years been slating him. But I hope he does well for your team, but if you or anyone signed Craven I would say you have a decent player. Gutted Johnstone has left, but it will be inevitable with some players. Looking on the Widnes forum I think only a few are wanted to be retained.

Well we never slag any of our players of so nowt to worry about here Tom.

Listening to yesterdays game, Fax imploded again with giving needless penalties away, yes the referee was inconsistent,
but S G really needs to get the message across that you can be hard, you can be ruthless but giving away easy yards only comes back to bite you in the 'arris.
Personally i think ED Barber is the type of player Fax need but he gives too many easy yards to the opposition by being a little hotheaded, or is it now he has a name for misdemeanors refs are looking at him all the time?

Get a grip on needless penalties next year Mr Grix please. York were going nowhere until E B lost it.

A great example of how one can have a totally misguided perception by just listening rather than watching. I very rarely criticise refs as it's a tough job and they usually get it right, and an even spread between the teams. And Grant looked OK when he first came on the scene. But I've no idea where that performance came from. Probably the worst reffing I've seen for many years which frustrated the hell out of the Fax players as well as us fans. How can one play at a kick through when it hits him from half a foot giving them a scrum? How can he miss the most blatant knock on ever? The list is endless. Ref deffo cost Fax the game.

So looks like Liam Cooper is off to Widnes, not sure many Fax fans will be too disappointed over that. Steady enough player but wouldn't have got a look in if Grady had not have been injured.

Guess none of you are excited about the confirmation of signing Jodie Broughton then?

Mr Dog....nothing to moan at cause he is a top signing.

Most Championship club supporters would be over the moon with a still super league quality winger.

All miserable farts on here I'm afraid

The response is likely because we already knew he was coming and also on the back of the current season and the recently aired challenges the club faces surely it's understandable spirits aren't exactly going through the roof.

My own feelings are positive, the only concern is that of injuries and fitness where JB is concerned.
Some players get to a point in their careers and just hit the wall and the one year deal probably reflects that.

On the other hand if he is fully up and running like he himself says and stays fit then we will see the difference in how a quality experienced winger can finish.

Welcome to Fax Jodie.

F D I totally agree that listening to someones view can be misguided ( it is the only medium I have available), however the fact cannot be ignored that giving easy yards always costs points, consider:
Maybe the officials are under par,
Maybe Fax are on the wrong end of major decisions,
Maybe certain players are highlighted by the opposition and get wound up.
The first two Fax can do nothing about, the third comes down to players discipline, which they can do something about.
Ed Barber is a hard man, good player and when on form a standout in the division, however every time I have listened to
or watched Fax (video/ live) this season E B has been a major factor in giving penalties away. Maybe he just needs to use his brain a little more than his brawn.
I don't know if there are any statistics available about players giving penalties/free kicks away but I would lay money Mr Barber is near the top of the pile.
It has been said many times over the past few years Fax need to learn discipline, it has cost us plenty in yards and points against.
I am not singling E B out specifically, as I am sure there are more culprits who wear the blue n white, it is just Ed is a big lad and can't easily hide.

We could sign Tommy Makinson but until we have a centre who can put a winger in space it won't make much difference.



From the view point of is he better than what we have? Then he is a good signing. From my view above Id imagine he is probably going to be on some decent money so from that point of view I think the money would have been better spent on a really good half back or hooker.

Ps. Please feel free to keep reminding me I said that come the end of next season.

It will be interesting to see if the new "reserve team league" reduces the availability of players available to sign in anyway.

But I agree with GFB we need to be able to pass the ball to our wingers in space to create chances and dominate in the forwards - I still don't see the present squad doing that.

well with 2 new second rowers coming in there could be a fewer happier faces if Barber goes back out to centre.

I cant see us signing any other centres so can only see that as the most realistic option

The present squad haven't done it. That's why we're changing it.

We have to sign a specialist centre next year.The likes of Salty/Barber are injury fill-ins at best.
Also need another half back-if Murrells pathetic pass and embarrassing chase back that cost us the York game doesn't tell you his time is up then i don't know what will...

The two incoming to second row are to replace Grady and Cooper.
A specialist centre is not easy to find and entice to the club with our finances so it’s likely we will go with what we have unless someone comes up at the last minute.
I don’t mind the utility player and recognise the value overall but it usually results in lower performance percentages in that position.
I’m hoping that someone like JB with his experience will demand the ball more, be well respected and get it in his hands and the man can certainly finish if he does.

Ben Helliwell leaving London,based locally.If we have any real ambition surely we can convince him we're a better proposition than Sheffield with the travel,plastic pitch,200 fans etc....

Karl Harrison wanted him if I recall correctly but he decided not to come at the time, fits the profile of bags of experience would be a good addition if we could get him.

Do such players still exist? Looking at the centres knocking around SL i can't think of any that put their winger away so not sure where we are going to find one unless we look abroad.

Are Greg Austin and Mark Preston available?

No, that’s why Aussie centres are always getting a runout and the, for me, the reason we can’t beat the them either. We have forwards to match, half backs and wingers if they get the ball but not centres, and haven’t since before the 80’s.

So the chances of Fax getting one are slim.

2 players signed up with a history of injuries . Not convinced by signings so far. Need a quality dummy half with some zip.

See if Bruce burton is available

Welcome aboard Keegan.

Crikey!

Moley.