Losing Gwaze and Barber from "the class of '22" and their replacements Maher/ King and Doro not happening made a massive difference. So all it needs is a couple of additions, Douglas already made, to beef the pack back up.

The new coaching staff will have their own approach which will be different and bring a freshness to the training side of things and you only need 2 or 3 quality additions to change the entire attitude, approach, dynamics or whatever you call it to the full squad and to the on field performances.



Douglas and Crookes are steps in the right direction and if we can add a couple more to the pack of Brandon's ability and another decent centre then we could be back on track and I'm pretty sure we'll see a different Fax from last year.



Having to wait for confirmation on the playing front is the most frustrating thing.

Hopefully the latter and changes to how our pack attack as a unit under the new leadership..

BTW I don't subscribe to this 2022 love-in..I was critical of the pack all that season and when it really mattered with all the supposed favourable conditions in place it fell miserably.

Yep. Between Finn and Huby they've had a successful season together at the Rams and being former players there should be some understanding of how the backs and pack work together as a unit with some fresh plays for them to employ as well as towards the end of the season even Swinton knew what we were going to do with the 7,6 and 1 moves in the opposition 20.



As you say about the pack, examples to me was the York eliminator of 22 where it showed a demonstration of the Swinton game as regards commitment and being out enthused and out muscled etc, albeit to a less extent but it was there and cost us, but onwards and upwards to 2024.

I still firmly believe we need a game manager like Muzza at 6. Easier said than done I know but the lack has been stark since Scott left and LJ needs challenging for his place as he goes missing and lacks confidence, even Grix was at him on that score. Widdop maybe or try to coax Meadows away from Batley?

I agree with your comments about our pack. Most of our go forward happened when Lannon came on and not just because he played well and made meters especially after contact but his work rate and effort galvanised the rest of pack. Which begs the question why didn’t our “starting” forwards play with that effort at the being of a match.

I feel we need some new hard working props and second row and a centre if wombat goes and Maizen goes to the wing.

Lets get J Ford in

https://x.com/thegamecaller/status/1714 ... KKcNIJrHDA

https://x.com/thegamecaller/status/1714 ... KKcNIJrHDA

I don't blame the board for wanting to make a big marquee signing, I just think that money could have been better spent on improving the squad in other areas. Widdop may put some more bums on seats though if marketed correctly.

https://x.com/rugbyleagueitk/status/171 ... KKcNIJrHDA

https://x.com/rugbyleagueitk/status/171 ... KKcNIJrHDA

https://x.com/ctrlfc/status/17146877914 ... KKcNIJrHDA

https://x.com/ctrlfc/status/17146877914 ... KKcNIJrHDA

If officially confirmed to make it a balanced signing the ideal situation would be if it was as well as further strengthening the other areas like the pack instead of doing so.

No doubt would generate some excitement, particularly with fans who don't normally watch Fax, obviously something the club would want. As he had 12 months left of what was presumably a very lucrative contract can't believe he would have left without a substantial pay off as an incentive to go, which should make a Fax contract offer more realistic. I don't think we're rolling in money and as has been stated above would much prefer us to spend on positions where we are weakest - not where we are strongest! Also with his recent injury record/age a 2 year contract would be an absolutely massive gamble.

I work with a saints fan who lives in brighouse , he attended some games last season at the shay , I mentioned the possibility of widdop coming and he said it would be a great signing at this level , game management and a good kicking game is something we have missed , he won’t play every game but neither will woodburn hall or Keyes so hopefully will rotate naturally. Plus having someone who has played at the highest level in the dressing room and training ground can only be a positive.

Now saying he’s retired on playing rugby league. Although it does say ‘ professionally’ so could be a play on words to once again counter mick gledhill or could be for real , we will see …

Quote Listenup94="Listenup94"Now saying he’s retired on playing rugby league. Although it does say ‘ professionally’ so could be a play on words to once again counter mick gledhill or could be for real , we will see …'" https://www.totalrl.com/gareth-widdop-o ... gers-exit/ As you say we’ll see.

Quote Listenup94="Listenup94"Now saying he’s retired on playing rugby league. Although it does say ‘ professionally’ so could be a play on words to once again counter mick gledhill or could be for real , we will see …'" https://www.totalrl.com/gareth-widdop-o ... gers-exit/ As you say we’ll see.

Lots of movement in the market but not much for us...



Nikau Williams could be the organiser we need no Thunder are popped?

Reading Widdop's statement it looks nailed on he won't be playing again.



Mixed feelings ...... he's a Fax lad and has tons of top experience including NRL ...... BUT what I saw of him in the SL highlights on TV he looked like a player at the end of his career - slow and missing in defence. He wouldn't have had an easy ride in the Championship and a very poor Cas paying him off says it all imo.

No mixed feelings from me,never even close to a priority.

https://x.com/m_shaw1/status/1715276026 ... KKcNIJrHDA

https://x.com/m_shaw1/status/1715276026 ... KKcNIJrHDA

The Club are attempting to get past financial donors to give money to enable them to sign Widdop.



This has met with very mixed results as the present BOD have failed to inject anywhere near the levels of money categorically promised when the previous BOD gave them their shares.

Sources for any of this please?

So we are chasing Olly Davies who as been released by Widnes. He would give us some competition in the back row which we need and Shaw also says Finn is looking to revamp the squad so we might get more changes than originally thought who knows. Also Castleford look like they are going to dual reg with Batley next year i wonder if we will find a new club or call it a day. I feel dirty just saying it but if we do keep it i would go for Wigan.

For mixed read Ice Cold. I know when your group were looking to take over this was one of the boards main worries that people make promises to get where they want to be but then do they follow through with them, obviously your groups last minute financial swerve to try and force the boards hand didn't work and who is to say your lot would have done any different? Its a really tough one as there has to be an element of trust that people will stick to their promises when handing over the shares.

Well thought of at Widnes and also previously being linked with Swinton, we'll see.