Well said Chris.



I think some of the retained players are getting a lot of undeserved stick lately based soley on those not staying, even if they are a completely different position. Everytime talk of someone not staying for example Dave Allen gets flagged off and it's just not fully justified.



I made the point on TIW that Widnes fans seem to (and is fair enough) appreciate a grafter more than a skilled player, especially in the pack. Allen breaks the line probably more than any of our other forwards and also had the best 'skill set' by a fair distance right now.



We all love Varks because he runs straight and hard usually attracting a few tacklers, yet Allen doesn't do that and gets slated but his size won't allow as he's not a prop! So Allen runs the lines often behind the ruck and makes yards that way. Tbh I'd love to see his stats as I bet they show him in a much better light!

He was a half when I played against him. Granted I've only seen him play as couple of times so can't really judge on how good he is now. The point I was trying to make that I was shocked he had made it judging from when I had played against him in the past and that Hulme looked a better option from what I had known. I think my post was a little misunderstood.

I played against Andy Farrell and knew a guy who was better than him at 16.Guess what he did not make it but Faz was GB captain.Some people talk some toilet on here.

Who cares you played against him and when did you play against him and who are you?

You're completely misunderstanding me but never mind.



You obviously didn't read back, I've never once stated that I wanted nor had the ability to ever make it is a rugby player which is what you seem to be suggesting from the 'who are you?' part. Guess what this is a forum and do you know what people do on forums? They post their opinions.

Hulmey has made some mistakes a fullack but its not his natural position and despite this at times hes been devestating. He's only 20 and from what i heard he is gutted about the decision. I've heard rumours Varks wasn't even approached with a contract which he was disappointed about. 2 very good players and yet another decision which has shocked the majority of fans.



Apparently there are no marquee signings lined up and we have the majority of the salary cap left imo with only 8/9 players left to sign. I think a lot of explaining is to be done by the club to the fans who signed up for the VStronghold. An article the other week stated we were planning on spending around £1.5m, i can see us going no where near it.



We have retained some good players and we have Craven and Owens coming through, however Hulmey is the young player of the year and Varks was 3rd player of the year and we release them and retain the likes of Allen and Coyle who i really don't rate. I don't care what peoples opinions are on that, they have been ok this year but nothing shouts out to get them a SL contract.

Yes a opinion and Craven is a good one.

Fair enough, why didn't you just say that in the first place instead of being confrontational for no apparent reason. What you would have found if you did was I would have said okay, it's over a year since I played against him, he may have developed more and you have much more of a chance to see this than I do.

In fairness Viva bar his undoubted commitment and work ethic would about Varkulis shouts out give him a SL deal?

Its a joke it really is. Opportunity lost at the end of the day, bring on Sep 1st.

This is what I've been hearing. Unfortunately, it does appear to be true. Recruitment has been poor at the club for years now, and I have very little faith in the current system and those in charge of it.

Widnes to announce Lee Doran, Jules Oneil, Troy Wozniack and Jamie Durbin on 4 year deals.



That wouldn't surprise me. Like Pepe says, the recruitment system is pants. Surely a club like Widnes with a good stadium and fan base would be able to attract players of a high calibre. Anyone thinking we are signing marquee signings are mistaken.



To have 60/70% of your SL contracted payers in place and only really having Briscoe down as someone who an excel in SL worries me a lot. Ah Van and Chris Dean? I wouldnt let Ah Van carry the kicking cone on incase he dropped it.



Something has to be done to excite fans and get them interested, otherwise and this is how it is, we won't get anywhere near the 7000 mark.

That's a no answer then?