Fax look a bit weaker i would say but then again i dont think any team looks stand out either. I think we lost 3 key players from last season, Maloney, Royston, and Branighan. Obviously we can replace Royston with Fieldhouse and Greenwood, not forgetting that Greenwood was the best full back in the Championship before he got injured and kept Royston out of his prefered position. It will take a bit of time for him to get back to his best though. Maloney is a massive loss, probably the best prop in the league and in Gannon i dont think we have come close to replacing him but on the plus side we have a full season with Sam Barlow this time. Branighan im pretty meh about as Holroyd was prefered to him at the end of last season but on the other hand Jones isnt half the player Branighan is and the sooner MC sees that and has Holly and Black at halfs the better. Ive no doubt we have the best set of backs in the league but feel our forwards may let us down but maybe they will prove me wrong. As for the other teams Fev will be up there and still look pretty strong. Leigh talk the talk every season but will they ever walk the walk. Barrow and Schofield is a match made in ......erm.......hell. Widnes didnt impress me against Siddal and i wouldnt be happy with the amout of times Siddals hookers broke your line. But it was a nothing game so its hard to tell. I think Widnes will be in the top 6 but dont look as good as the main teams but you never can tell.

Siddal hooker never broke the line. He made a few good darts but was always tackled so half break at best, considering no Thackeray and a few others rested you can't really judge against a very strong and well organised Siddal unit we still beat by 50!

I saw Mr Fax comparing our score and yours

what divisions are they in? You only had to look at players physique to tell the difference. Also heard a lot of 'this is our reserve side' Hmmm... Seemed a similar mix to ours tbh.

Widnes are MUCH stronger than last year. Signed Tyrer & Ropati to cover weak centre area. I'Anson for 7 and at prop have brought Sculthorpe in plus have Puckersgill fully fit. You maybe in for a shock I feel!

Both hookers made a couple of good breaks where all it needed was someone on their inside when they went to pass. But like i said it was a nothing game anyway. Yes we had a lot of players out as did Widnes but i wouldnt go as far to say it was our reserve side and say it was a lot closer to our starting line up than i wished.

I know you mention those players but have you signed anyone good?

You mention weak centre area and i cant help but feel sad for Varks what the move to Widnes has done to him.

Varkulis has come a better player under Betts and is doing very well at prop.Widnes have improved in all postions with Centres a big one with Ropati and Tyrer.Fullback we dont have Ford and Yates anymore as choices, as Ford is more accomplished at centre.Jack Owens is only 16 and is a revelation, and we have Danny Craven and Flynn.Props we still have Scully and Gaz Haggerty to come back.I,Anson at halfback and Gore.Nobody has a postion guaranteed under Betts,and he is even looking at Dual from Wigan so watch out Fax.If Fax get major injuries to Black,Barlow, White or Greenwood again i think Fax will struggle. Widnes have more depth this year .

Why does everybody keep saying I'anson at 7?

He isnt a scrum half.

He has the number 7 shirt? Cullen & both Betts have talked about him as the 7!

Remember he played 6 @ KR but they do have Michael Dobson, dream team 7 2010! He can play either or FB.

He's a natural type of 6 though rather than a scrum half, Thackeray played all his junior career at 7 so it makes sense IMO for them to swap. I'm sure in his brief 20 minute loan spell that he played 6.

Played 7 to Thacks giving us a bit more depth I'm attack and the same with Craven on Sunday. IMO he suits that more. Thacks best attributes are hitting the game line with space out wide, whereas I'Anson seems to have a good quick long pass on him so from centre field he could get us on the move quicker, a few darts in the centre allowing Thacks to run the show on the edges. That's certainly how he seemed to play it on Sunday as well.

If you would have included elbows and knees in that comment i could have swore that was Cullen at his peak.

Not going to get into this thread, but could always argue that we never needed to replace Maloney as Aizue is like a new signing for us at the moment, really impressed with how he's playing.

I feel sad reading the sentance about Varks. Watching him play on Sunday i was quite embarrased and i guy i was stood with didnt believe me when i told him who it was.

I will give you Ropati, he is without doubt quality and i would have him in the Fax team without a doubt. The others im a bit meh. Scully especially is obviously out of shape but everyone knew that, its whether he can get back in shape which will be hard carrying all that padding. I will take Sam Balow over him every day of the week.

On our injuries i feel if Penky or Black miss a big chunk we would struggle and maybe Barlow but White and Greenwood? Not exactly short of quality backs but i guess if we lose another centre it wouldnt be great to have Clayton or Bannister there as neither look great in that position.

The Halifax Barlow worship is adorable

Well he did win us the Championship last year.

You've never sounded more like a prat than you have with this statement and granted that is hard for you!!!!
Do you honestly think that Varkulis wants or feels your pity? Read all my posts back on the subject of Varkulis and you will see that I was not a fan of him being moved to his current position. Guess what... he's playing like he was suited for the role. Read the Widnes boards and find that those who see him perform regularly all think so. Against Fev he came on and was terrific, didn't take a backwards step.
I'm sure he values your expert opinion of him based on your complete unwavering anti-widnes bias during one game against an amateur side.
To your credit you try and dress up your anti-widnes agenda by throwing an occasional small bone... oh so you think Ropati is okay?!?! oh well the saints be praised..!!!!!
There are a number of visitors to this site like Robin Evans, the Leigh contributers, a few from Barrow and not forgetting our very own Littlerich who seem to have realistic opinions of all things Widnes and show you up for what you are...

I dont think showing us your blow up collection is adding anything to the conversation

Did we pass the test mate?

I thought it was an image of your mother giving birth to you.

If that is what passes for a blow up doll in Halifax it has answered a lot of questions we had about you lot!

This is all you need to know squire

I bet there were some rubber burns that night!!!
Calderdale A&E was inundated..

Not my bag.

I simply reflected over a small latte.