England is an absolute tool, on numerous occasions he tried putting shots on our players and they just embarrassed him by stepping him, wish acton would of given him a good hiding

As a fan I feel we will rack the points up in our league, today we never left the dressing rooms second half, and need to sort that out.
Missed Tommy G today, and Wilkes to a lesser degree as we have some great props imo. But Wilkes and Tommy lead, and that was missed today. Acton/Spencer/Wilkes/Emmit/Duffy with Barlow playing an extra prop role at 13 is plenty for this league though
Our movement with ball in hand is better than its ever been, with great support play once we break the line and we can certainly finish it for a change
I think the 17 is now becoming clear but I think Paul has some decisions on Kay/Ridyard/Brierley/McNally/Govin/Penky for 3 start spots and a bench
Higson has grabbed the spare wing spot in the friendlies, but who partners Armstrong in the centres?

Its over to PR in a couple of weeks, and I believe we will be very happy come the end of the season despite an awful second half today.

That was a very good Warrington side we played today.

As the season is now upon us I will refrain from commenting on any team or footballing related thread as I don't think it is my place to do so or professional.

I will however say I really believe in Derek, Paul and the coaching team we have and I honestly feel this is the best squad and depth we've had for many years and honestly feel we are ready for the serious stuff now after a tough pre season.

Roll on Batley 16/02 can't bloody wait!!!!

Andy

What about Fax next week !!!

As a Warrington fan watching Leigh it seemed you had a propensity to good wide rather early despite not having a platform to do so. In Ridyard, you have a player who seems a little bit too individual, trying to score on every play, this can result in a poor last tackle kick.

Brierly is a peach of a player, get Ridyard playing with some composure and you have a pair of halfbacks that will comfortably unlock the best of defences.

Not sure what happened with England, but he was being a bit of a soct-cock in parts of the game.

Good luck for the forthcoming season. I always keep an eye out for the Leythers results.

England Physically has the attributes to make a SL front row forward.

What he does lack at the present time IMO is the kind of cool clam and composed nature that has helped Chris Hill make the transition from Championship to SL without a problem and is far to easily drawn into a poop fight.

Jury will stay out on England for me and would not be surprised to be seeing him play against us again at some point this coming year.

Should be a good game but will mean nothing win or lose.

Is there seats still left on the coach Linda

What has Armstrong done in the friendlies to warrant a shirt? IMO we have better options in the three quarters and Higson, Littler and even Gardner will all feel they have staked a bigger claim so far than Tom for a centre spot.

My starting 13 for the first league game v Batley, based on observations so far.

McNally
Maden
Littler
Higson
Brown
Ridyard
Brierley
Spencer
Kay/Beswick
Wilkes
Haggerty
Goulden
Barlow

With Kay/ Beswick occupying one spot on the bench, The rest of the squad would be fighting it out for the remaining 3 subs places IMO.

The usual suspects in the backs were short of pace last season, sticking with them this season isn't the solution when there are quicker alternatives. Misplaced loyalty doesn't accrue league points.

Totally agree.

So when the season proper starts who would you play in the threequarters ?

Nothing wrong with pack' halfbacks and fullback position options imo.

Would anyone play Kay and Govin in the centres for eg ?

I would start with Maden, Higson, Armstrong & Brown but we are still a good centre short.

What's wrong with Gardner?

Well we have had criticisms of our threequarters defence and in some cases lack of pace.

Glad I am not coach but I am playing devils advocate' it is PR who will have to find the best options.

Another agree
Madens been a great servant but is a weak link now as first choice, handy to have in the squad
Tom Armstrong played right centre at Sheffield, and that's were Wigan and Wire hit us at the start of the second half. Gardner played left centre last year but I assume he isn't fit yet, but Armstrong needs to play right imho or can Sarsfield do a job as left centre?
Seen some brilliant try's in the friendlies, and the work off the ball in attack is so much better. Higson and Brown will score a pan full this season, as will Kaye and Kes

Nothing wrong with Gardner but I didn't pick him, is it a problem for you?

I too feel its perhaps a season too far for Maden also....as long as we have a replacement for him

Why would that be a problem for me? You said we're a good centre short and I asked what's wrong with Gardner as IMO he's a good centre & he wasn't mentioned. I know Fred Parky said in pre season training Mado's looked good & despite his lack of pace he's been reliable but he hasn't looked great in the friendlies. Brown's new to the club so he needs to be given time to get his game right that said if he performs like he has done again on sunday at Fax (shocking defending) I'd drop him for the Batley game.

It's a pitty Pownall's injured as I wouldn't mind seeing him & Gardner paired up again.



It's definately a option as they are both excellent utilty players but I would prefer Sarsfield at centre as Thornley can play in't back row for 80 mins no problems although Andy could do a good job at centre effectively too.

There is definitely a vacancy for a centre who is capable of doing what a centre does, as well as having positional awareness and good tackling skills he should be capable of feeding his winger when appropriate and taking on the line when it is the better option. Pace is a given.
A fullback or winger shouldn't be used at centre and a half back should only play at centre when there is no other option available.

Well we could go with Armstrong Kay Higson and Brown.

Some pace there.

With the size of Brown you'd think he'd be a good centre but juydging by his 3 games for us defensively he's liability but hopefully both Rowls & Brown address this before the 16th & he plays to his full potential.

Put Armstrong wing and brown centre? really worried at times when brown is on the wing, as good as he is in attack, at times in defence it's like he's never played rugby before