What to watch out for during 2019 campaign
IT’S the season when people tend to reflect on the previous 12 months and look forward to what the next year might bring.
In the case of Widnes Vikings fans, looking back over 2018 is probably a bit too painful. Who would want to put themselves through that again?!
So let’s put the pain behind us and try to look forward with some optimism to what might be in store for 2019.
The Vikings will be playing in the Championship and should, in theory at least, be one of the stronger teams in professional rugby league’s second tier.
In their determination to get promoted back into Super League at the first attempt, Widnes have retained a full-time squad to play under respected head coach Kieron Purtill.
So let’s take a look into our crystal ball...
NEW OWNER(S) As reported in last week’s Weekly News, more than one party has expressed an interest in taking over the club after the current owners offered to relinquish their shares.
The Vikings are looking for someone who will commit to investing in the club to help secure its future.
Let’s hope that whoever ends up holding the reins, they’re in it for the long haul and have the best interests of the club at heart.
A few quid wouldn’t go amiss either.
PLAYER TO WATCH 1 Let’s be honest, important though off-field matters are, what the fans really want is to see exciting and winning rugby on the pitch.
And one of the players who can help provide it is young full-back Olly Ashall-Bott.
Anyone who has seen the 21-year-old in his handful of firstteam appearances so far will recognise his talent.
If he can stay fit, he could set the Championship alight with his speed and elusiveness. RIVALRIES Widnes are not favourites to ● win the Championship – that pedestal is occupied by Toronto Wolfpack.
The Canadian side have spent a lot of money as they look to grab the Super League place which eluded them last term when they were pipped by London Broncos.
It will be quite a surprise if Toronto do not end up topping the league table but with a playoff system to decide the Champions and promotion, the Vikings have a chance to snatch the main prize.
However, it is by no means a two-horse race. The likes of Toulouse, Halifax, Featherstone, Bradford and Leigh will want to have their say.
It should be fascinating to see how it pans out.
PLAYER TO WATCH 2 Papua New Guinea international Wellington Albert had few opportunities to impress in 2018. And it did not always go his way when he was out on the paddock.
However, the rangy forward did enough to suggest that his athleticism and offload game could be a real weapon for the Vikings if they can use him in the right way.
With a full pre-season behind him, could ‘Welly’ become a cult hero at Halton Stadium in 2019?
THE 1895 CUP The new knockout competition introduced by the RFL gives clubs outside Super League a second opportunity to reach Wembley.
Let’s be honest, the chances of a Championship club getting to the Challenge Cup final are slim to none, so the 1895 Cup really is the only game in town in this sense.
The Vikings will enter the competition in round two (last 16) and with Toronto and Toulouse not taking part, they may well be favourites to make the final.
Widnes last reached Wembley in 1993 and I’m sure the fans would relish the opportunity for a big day out in the capital.
PLAYERS TO WATCH 3 I’m going to lump centres Anthony Gelling and Krisnan Inu together for this one.
Those two should give Widnes some real strike power at Championship level if they bring the right attitude.
The word ‘mercurial’ could have been invented for Gelling. He’s not a percentage player and is sure to excite (and occasionally frustrate) the fans.
His larger-than-life personality off the pitch should provide some entertainment too.
Inu was very much the Vikings’ attacking go-to man in 2018 until his season was disrupted by injury.
He should be the cause of sleepless nights for opposition defences in 2019.
THE FANS Widnes really need their supporters to get behind them.
The last two years have provided little to cheer about and hopefully the fans will come out in numbers to watch a team that should win more matches next season.
And anyway, it’s a two-way thing. The fans are part of the larger team which consists of the players, the backroom staff, the owners, the sponsors et al.
Nobody can guarantee winning, or even playing well; there’s always an opposition trying to prevent that.
But if everyone pulls together in the same direction, you’re giving yourselves a much greater chance of success. Best wishes to everyone for the New Year and beyond.