I don't think there is anything going on 'behind the scenes' with Penny. I feel like if there was he wouldn't have been played last week. We're all pretty sure there's something going on with Lineham, and he isn't being played at all.

I think with Penny that he is just not rated very highly by TS, and probably has his frailties honed in on more than other players. I said last week that Penny's dropped ball and being out of position once (that I saw) against Catalan might be the justification TS needs to bench Penny for another lengthy spell. Barring another big bout of injuries, I don't think we'll see Penny again this season.

I do reluctantly agree with WO's summary, but I would play Penny every week.

One win away from the League Leaders Shield and another away from a Grand Final and all we can go on about is Kevin Penny.

He's a good lad and a good winger, but you'd think he was in the Billy Slater or Greg Inglis mould based on the mass hysteria every time he's not in the team.

We're winning games, going about our business well. I'm sure Tony Smith has his reasons for not playing him and I'm sure he's explained them to Penny as well. Smith doesn't owe, you, I or any other fan an explanation as to why he's not picking him.

How about we just get behind the boys who are in the 17 and I'm sure Penny will be given an opportunity soon enough.

DAG
I don't think anyone is not behind the team.
It's a forum and people like to have their say - same as you and me.
I don't think there's hysteria about Penny not playing - just some frustration and disappointment that we don't have a truely fast winger in the team.

I can sort of see why that's the case as I said on an earlier post.
We'd all just love to know why!

I like what Russell brings to the side, he's still learning the wingers trade, but thought he scored a good try last night which wasn't a simple finish, and as others have said, he really gets us moving forward.

I'm not mad keen on our reliance of dummy half running to create opportunities, but for as long as TS uses this as his game plan, Russell has to play for me.

Well, you can get behind the boys on the field, meanwhile I'm gonna worry about when we play the better smarter teams that have previously exploited the weaknesses of certain players that have cost us,

Does anybody know what happened to Bailey? He was subbed about 30 seconds into the second half after the physio came on. He took off his strapping on the pitch and walked off unaided. He did walk up and down the touchline later on but didn't return.

He did say this in the post-match:
"Some really big decisions - good decisions - by Rhys Evans on the wing closed a few things down for us as well. That's probably what got Rhys back in the team. Some of those decisions on the edge were crucial for us."

Yes - it's clear that TS values solid defence and he sees that as a priority over outright speed in attack.

Taking Cat's point -he's right about us not ha Bing a good enough plan B if the quick pubs are snuffed out.

Congratulations, Sir. Post of the week.

At times, but I really fear for "British" style RL. It's being phased out, before our very eyes. Coaches seem obsessed with yards gained on each play, hence Smith's continually telling all and sundry to scoot from dummy half. I'm like you, silver2. I go to matches to be entertained. Yes, winning is a lovely bonus, and but I'm old enough to take the odd defeat. But win at all costs. Nah, it's leaving me cold. I stood there last night, and at times, but I was bored witless.

Throw the ball about. Teams can't live with us, when we do.

Second half was poor, but our speed off the mark and fast PTB in first was admirable, especially with no Daryl Clark. I think that the younger players have contributed a lot in the last two weeks. We may not be at our best but you just have to go on the Trust in Widnes forum to see that they were impressed by Wire first half.