the talk is over : Mon Feb 01, 2016 8:59 pm  

Its here finally and all the talk is over week 1 and a proper game!

Its widnes at home - if we are to make 8th spot I really think its one we have to win (we only play everyone at home once)

I know its a harsh statement in the first round!


what are our chances and what team is going to be picked that's the mystery.

Finally !!!!!!!!!! ROUND 1

Re: the talk is over : Tue Feb 02, 2016 12:34 am  

Yep it's here at last and I can't wait to park my car on Sugar Lane and head through that familiar graveyard to my favourite sporting venue Belle Vue, Wakefield. The game itself is gonna be tough I feel but I think we'll perform much better than when they tonked us in the play offs, we have a much stronger pack and some exciting backs. Here's hoping for a victory in game one and set us up nicely for our nearest and dearest again in week 2. Hopefully everyone is fit so Brian has a full quota to pick from. Can't wait!!

Re: the talk is over : Tue Feb 02, 2016 10:18 am  

It's a tester for a number of reasons.
Our record against them been good then we had last season.Did they improve that much or was it down to our pitiful for. ( I think a mix of the two )
It's B S squad and a first look at the starting line up in a league game.
It's at home and if we have any ambition to put a good run together it starts now. It's a good opportunity to measure the squad and it's capably.

Re: the talk is over : Tue Feb 02, 2016 10:24 am  

BOJ04 wrote:

Its here finally and all the talk is over week 1 and a proper game!

Its widnes at home - if we are to make 8th spot I really think its one we have to win (we only play everyone at home once)

I know its a harsh statement in the first round!


what are our chances and what team is going to be picked that's the mystery.

Finally !!!!!!!!!! ROUND 1

First of all I get your point though I don’t entirely agree with it.

Yes a win is a win and that must be our aim.

However Widnes are not the mugs some seem to think they are, in fact after Cas and Warrington they were the team who IMO humiliated us the most last season - especially when you consider they were a bottom 4 team. It will take a massive upturn from us or downturn from them to alter that balance.

Apart from the first few games of last season we proved ourselves unable to play for 80 minutes - in fact most games were over in 20 minutes. That was what dogged us all season as there is IMO no Coach or signings who can close that gap once the season starts.

What I really I want is for us to be competitive for a minimum of 60 minute but preferably 70 minutes. This might not be enough to win the game and might even see Widnes pull away a bit in the last 20. However finding that last 10 or even 20 minutes over a season (probably during the first third) is more than attainable. If this occurs the wins will come and they will come in a sustainable fashion.

I’m not denying a home win against a team from our end of the table isn’t highly desirable because it is. However it’s not the end of our chances for the 8th spot. We have lost our first game many times and still occasionally managed a great season. We won our first two last year and we all know how that turned out.

We have IMHO recruited pretty well and we have a proven Coach this time, but we must not forget how dire we were last year and we need to be patient as any massive match winning improvements probably won’t happen over night. If they do happen straight away then Brian Smith really is a genius.

[PopTart]

Re: the talk is over : Tue Feb 02, 2016 10:36 am  

I agree again.

Optimistic
Cautious
Patient

That's how I am feeling.

The only disappointment to me will be if we cave straight away.
A spirited performance will keep me coming
A competitive performance will keep me happy
A win will make me very happy but not delusional

Re: the talk is over : Tue Feb 02, 2016 10:36 am  

What we don't want is derogatory remarks about our coach and team, if the earlier results don't go our way.
If that's our part of the bargain, then the team must show effort and commitment and they will have my support.
Don't forget we have many new players and although I hate to say it they may need time to 'gel'

Re: the talk is over : Tue Feb 02, 2016 10:52 am  

Agree with what most have said, it just would ease a bit of pressure if they won first up, given what's to follow as re. so many away games. It's a ridiculous fixture list, can't see any justification in how the fixtures are done, but what can you do?! Just gotta get on with it I suppose.......

Re: the talk is over : Tue Feb 02, 2016 11:27 am  

Got to look forward to the first game of the season, cant wait !
Everyone equal (well, on zero points), everything possible.

A win in the first game would give everyone a massive boost and give us some hope for the season but,
under the new format, it's all about how strong you are after the split, ask Leigh

The reality is likely to be another tough season and as strong favourites for the wooden spoon, all we want is
100% effort and commitment from the players.
Never had a problem losing games, when we have battled for 80 minutes.

I'm hoping that Smith can work some magic and help Trinity ruffle some feathers and scalp one or two of the big boys and Cas

Re: the talk is over : Tue Feb 02, 2016 4:41 pm  

BOJ04 wrote:

Its here finally and all the talk is over week 1 and a proper game!
Its widnes at home - if we are to make 8th spot I really think its one we have to win (we only play everyone at home once)
I know its a harsh statement in the first round!
what are our chances and what team is going to be picked that's the mystery.
Finally !!!!!!!!!! ROUND 1

It's round 1 though and it's not the be all and end all.
Our nearest and dearest finished 5th last year (before the split) and they lost their first 3 games, including against the team that finished bottom by a long way, so a loss in our 1st game will not entirely ruin our chances. Yes, (as much as I don't like to say it) Cas proved themselves to be a very capable side last year and we will struggle to match their form but a loss here will not be completely devastating.


Having said all that I'm for a win to give us some belief and to make the fans want to attend games again!

Re: the talk is over : Tue Feb 02, 2016 6:36 pm  

I can't wait - 20% increase in ST sales, an off season of quality recruitment and not a disaster in sight!

Reckon if we can get Finn n Miller dovetailing well early on, we could have a good season.