Had a lot of time to think about Thursday, reflection time you might call it (no latte involved though)

First of all Leigh Centurions, if I were a fan I would be absolutely loving it (Keegan Style) well drilled and super fit, Ian Millward must be credited along with Paul Rowley for an outstanding pre season in terms of training and recruitment. Millward based this year on attracting local players from around the region and boy hasn't he done well. No ex super league rejects filling the ranks (exception being Littler but he's a good solid player and a leyther) Darryl Powell adopts a similar style of recruitment as does Karl Harrison. The one common factor in all this is the coach does the recruiting, it all stops with them. If Leigh stay clear of injuries this year they will do the double.

Now on to my beloved Widnes, first of all the fans are brilliant, we can be a little negative at times but were only human! we have the most fans in the division and probably the most loyal considering all the lows and highs we've been through. Next the club itself, Widnes as a business is top notch headed by a wealthy successful passionate man. Julie Gaskell is a great Chief exec and the youth and reserve coaches are bob on as we have proved by [uWINNING[/u the league for 18's and Reserves being [uCONSISTENT[/u on the pitch and winning far more than they lose.

Widnes 1st team.

Its a fact that Terry O'connor and Paul Cullen do the recruiting, Nothing to do with Mick Cassidy or Denis Betts. Steve O'connor trusts both and simply leaves it to them. I'm coming to the conclusion that Steve O'connor needs to make a big and tough decision and ditch Terry from his role as recruiter along with Cullen. Widnes need an experienced 1st team coach who can be given the pot of cash to recruit who he wants, Betts isn't the answer IMHO.

Director of Rugby we don't need
Player Welfare/Recruitment we don't need.

To put it simply

Head Coach - Ian Millward or Brian Noble
Assistant Coach - Whoever the above would want


Head coach does the recruiting the book stops with them, its important to recruit the correct coach for SL none of this Wigan old boys club.

Phil Finney - youth development and recruitment

And finally do we deserve Super League? yes we bloody do!

Good post and i do wonder what Tez O,Connor and Cullen do in their job.Not got us results on the pitch for sure, so get rid.Waste of money and they spend more time on Sky i think.

Keep your mutant mitts off Millward...... my caravan living friend.

Steves a sensible man he knows that were not performing on the pitch, trouble is he may have become a little to friendly with Terry and will find it difficult to question him. Big decisions need to be made though, it happens in the work place every day, you fook up you get the chop.

I also don't see the point of a director of Rugby.

Sorry bud, Success brings interest.

The carrot of Super League would swing him, funny character is Millward but he's transformed you lot from being crap to excellent twice.

This is what annoys me at Widnes, as too many jobs for the boys.I would love a job at my loved club Widnes,but at the end of the day it is what is best for Widnes.I pay good money just like other fans, so if not pulling their weight they can go and work in asda or macdonalds for all i care.

Is steve O'C a rugby man or has he just chosen to get involved with widnes?.Does he understand the importance "attendance wise" of having a vibrant and boyant first team setup?. I ask this because widnes have been a very well run business while he has been in charge.The problems widnes seen to have, all revolve around the first team.I cant think of a worse case scenario than entering SL on the back of a terrible season in the championship,this scenario will be even worse if you fail badly in your first season back in there.I hope he doesn't think people will come flooding back just because your in that league,it doesn't work like that, especially when you've been out of the big time for so long. People become synical.

The importance to a club of a top quality coach should never ever be under estimated.Imo "long term" they are well worth the extra money they would cost.

Great just typed a long reply and clicked wrong button and GOOOONE! CBA now



Bascially not convinced over 'boys club' as this was mentioned before Betts came in and the others all have connections with Widnes and / or good reptuations and knowledge in RL!

We can't say get rid of PC / TO'C roles as we don't know what they do! Player welfare is deemed very important with the club and we actually had a SKY piece showing that!

But the final say on transfers or targets should be 100% with the coach without a doubt!

Terry does the recruiting mate and has done for the past couple of years, PC also has input this year and they have already made signings for SL which gives me a bad feeling. Betts was largely unproven as a rugby league coach when arriving at Widnes and so far we've seen very questionable team selections and suffered 2 hammerings by Leigh and a shocking display against Hunslet.

This player welfare lark isnt needed IMO, call me slightly old fashioned but if the players are having problems they should speak to the coach or Chairman.

Just for a moment I thought this was about retro 70`s games.........


VM you`ve made a good call with your OP but please do us Leythers a favour and go for Noble.

If he doesn't end up at Widnes you know as well as i do that someone else from SL will be in for him.