I've been thinking the last couple of days about the Halifax game and although we won, the performance was still miles below par conceding 36 points at home. I did say to my friend however that as long as we beat Fax thats all i'm worried about but i still have my doubts.

clearly Thackeray is now crossed off everyone's list of who we should take to SL so who does that leave us with.

Ben Kav - got his SL contract and continues to show us why he deserves one?
Danny Hulme? - good young exciting player who should definately be considered to be playing first team on a regular basis to see how he gets on.
Danny Craven - very good prospect who was blended into a first team player without any problems.
Flynn - Some people are still unsure about flynn but i think with full time training he would be brilliant. Fast, strong in the tackle, not bad defensively and the majority of times is good undera high ball. still only 23.
I'anson - great kicking game and good hands.
Finnigan and Allen maybe i'm not convinced yet. Apart from the youngsters we've rarely seen, who else would you take to SL?

Houghton? Grady? Opinion divided on the latter.

To be fair i don't think grady has let us down at all this year. In my opinion is one of the better tacklers in the team and runs the ball in hard. Maybe with fulltime training he is someone to take a risk with. Still only 20/21 and has some developing to do.

Ben Kav
Grady
Hulme
Craven
Houghton
Kelly
Gilmore
I'anson
Varks
Finnigan
Flynn
Gaskell
then sign logan tomkins

Tomkins would be a great signing but i'd like to see Lunt given a go personally. Hopefully when players like Gore and Gilmore get fit they are given runouts this year instead of getting DR players in. Taking nothing away from Mellor and Tomkins though, they've had good games for us so far.

1: Danny Craven
=#0000FF4: Steve Tyrer
=#FF00005: Paddy Flynn
=#0000FF7: Chaz I'Anson

10=#0040FF: Daniel Heckenberg
=#0040FF11: Dave Allen
12: Kurt Haggerty
=#00BF0013: Simon Finnigan
=#FF000014: Thomas Coyle

=#00BF0017: Ben Kavanagh

20: Shane Grady
21: Tom Kelly
24: Danny Hulme
25: Chris Lunt
27: Greg Scott
28: Alex Gerrard
29: Grant Gore
30: Jack Smith
31: Alex Brown
32: Lewis Whitty
33: Tom Gilmore
34: Jack Owens
36: Anthony Mullally
=#FF000037: Danny Sculthorpe

Not included the youngsters, which include Grady and K Haggerty. We should keep the majority of the youth. Maybes in red, probables in blue, definates in green.

of course, i forgot Gore and Lunt. doh!

It still fascinates me why there are questions over Paddy.

He's stronger now, probably just as quick, can play in a couple of positions. More than deserved a shot at SL if you ask me.

Even if we sign a better winger Paddy would provide reliable cover in both positions.

Quote me on this but I wouldn't bet against Paddy getting rep honours in the next few years during SL. I don't see a better winger than him in our league. His defensive reads this season have been outstanding, never misses a catch and a top returner of the ball. Not his fault doesn't get any service but when he does is a very good finisher. I'd love to see him outside Tyrer!

With a quality centre Paddy will do great.Play fullback and wing and even if not first choice he is tremendous cover.I would probably look at keeping,

Hulme,Craven,Flynn,Tyrer,I,Anson,Gore,Coyle,Lunt,Kavs,Mullaley,Grady,Kurt Haggerty,Varks,Finnigan.

Unsure on Hecky,Allen,Pickers,Scully,Gardner.

Got 14 from the squad and we need to recruit 10 to 12 decent players from the championship, Superleague and NRL.
All the youngsters keep, and i am sure players like Gore if do not start will end up on dual registration next year.

On the rest after releasing of those 4 I really don't know as thought we'd be taking 12-15 players up but now I just don't know.

As for youngsters anyone under 21 goes up for me. At worst they play SL reserves which is a major step up from ours and in full time training we can work closer with them.

Having seen you twice at the sports village I would get rid of the lot and start from scratch, Betts will sink or swim with his own team next year . You have 3 years to sort it so next year is for building and even after 3 years you should be safe with grounds like cas and hkr (to name but two) not being fit for SL.

I think our youngsters are split into a couple of categories.

The Definates

Jack Owens - Outstanding young fullback who at only 16 looks a sensation and has already featured and scored against Warrington first team.
Tom Gilmore - The next great Widnes 6, those who watch the 18's will know exactly how good this kid is, Tony Myler mark 2.
Grant Gore - Another with a big future in the game, composed and links well with Gilmore and has played 1st team this year.
Anthony Mullally - Ripping it up with Brisbane, big raw lad and your typical big fast modern day front rower.
Danny Hulme - Given my choice he would be in the first team every week, 100% effort and a very good defender he also has plenty of pace.
Danny Craven - Again another kid who has been a sensation at first team level, not a full back though imo, i would stick him at 6.
Tom Kelly - Another who featured heavily last year, he has a big heart and will go far, still a baby to.
Alex Brown - Reminds me of Matty Bowen a target were after, electric pace from the wing and a decent defender.

The possibles

Chris Lunt - A steady player who doesn't let you down but he will need to add a little extra to get a SL contract IMO.
Jack Smith - Decent engine on this lad but you don't see to many front rowers like him anymore in terms of his shape.
Greg Scott - Looks a good centre in the reserves, still young enough to go far but perhaps needs to add a little more to his game.
Dave Houghton - Daves a cracking lad and always gives his best for Widnes, would he drop his paintbrushes for a full time contract? is he ultimately good enough for SL?
Macgraff Leuluai - Cracking engine on this lad, needs to work on his size though to become more effective. A tough decision on him IMO.
Shane Grady - Been around the first team a few years now and does seem to get better each year, not a stand out in this division though, would he be good enough to make the step up?
Alex Gerrard - Not seen much of him but he seems to get decent raps at reserve team level.

Its a good job teams are not judged on 2 games then.

From the existing 1st team the below i would probably take up.

Paddy Flynn - with a full time enviroment i think he's good enough.
Steve Tyrer - Been around a bit but people have to remember he's still very young, a good coach will work with him and make him into a goodun.
Simon Finnigan - Been around the SL scene for a good number of years and could easily slot back in.
Kurt Haggerty - Still young enough to be a good player come SL time, i would take him up.
Chas I'anson - Would be a decent squad player, and good backup for 6.
Thomas Coyle - maybe a surprise to some but he's got plenty of skill, a full time environment would do him good.



On current form thats my lot if you ask me, Scully is getting on a bit now, Heckenberg the same.

^This. I think for the borderline nippers they should be given at least a chance to blossom with some full time training.

Think I'd add Varks to that list and see how he goes for a season. He has improved a lot this year and is no slouch when taking the ball up,as somebody else pointed out props are more athletic these days.