It's time for a piece that I have thoroughly enjoyed making. Over the last few weeks, I have spoken to five Warrington fans and interviewed them about their thoughts on a number of subjects. I hope you enjoy listening to their opinions.
We have Mark, who has followed the club for more than 40 years, Jenna, who started attending games in 2009, Mike, a supporter since 1974, Julie, who is a relatively recent follower of the Wire, and last but not least, The Kat.
How would you rate Warrington's 2020 season out of 10 so far?
Mark: 7 out of 10. Lots to admire but nagging doubts remain over our ability to dominate teams.
Jenna: 5 out of 10. We've been on and off for most of the season.
Mike: 8 - mixed start. But since coming back can’t fault them.
Julie: I think the season has been a 7 out of 10.
The Kat: 8. In February we picked up where we left off last season with one win against Saints and dire the rest of the time. Been a revelation since restart.
Has your opinion of Steve Price changed at all this season?
Mark: Yes, in three ways - firstly, the outstanding performances of Gelling, Mamo, Davis and Walker suggest that Price has the ability to get the best out of each individual. Secondly, his willingness to use the whole squad and trust his players is a real bonus. Thirdly, now that he has the defensive structures working to his liking, he is prepared to adopt a more expansive style of attack.
Jenna: Yes, I gave him a fair chance when he first started coaching. Unfortunately, I think he's running out of ideas and we need something new.
Mike: No. I thought he was good before. Just needed time. 2 Finals 1st season I know bad in league towards the end last year. But he does seem to learn from his mistakes.
Julie: My opinion of Price has changed a lot, if I answered this a few weeks ago I would say he has clearly motivated the team and was doing well. Recent performances have not been good, no creativity, coaching issues have been pointed out to me re the source and types of our tries.
The Kat: Yes, after last season's five drives and a kick, I thought he had no offensive tactics but he's out Tony Smithing Tony Smith now.
Who has been Warrington's player of the season so far?
Mark: Ratchford by a mile. He can do anything!
Jenna: I'd go with Mike Cooper 100%, Daryl Clark a close 2nd.
Mike: Pick between Cooper and Ratchford really.
Julie: Ratchford, although I think Cooper has been outstanding.
The Kat: Matty Ashton.
Which Warrington player have you been disappointed with so far this season?
Mark: Ben Murdoch-Masila. I don't know if he's unfit but he continues to underwhelm.
Jenna: Widdop unfortunately. For a player like him to be putting in the performances he has been is very disappointing.
Mike: Hill. Think he's a bit of a penalty king.
Julie: Tom Lineham for getting an eight-match ban through lack of discipline.
The Kat: Ben Murdoch-Masila.
What has surprised you most about Warrington's season so far?
Mark: Our ability to score from anywhere on the field. We have so many players who can turn a game with one little piece of magic.
Jenna: I wouldn't say anything has surprised me as such, but I do find some of the team selections confusing.
Mike: The never-say-die mentality.
Julie: I am surprised by how well Price has done, managed to put a team together when so many were isolated. BUT Blowing our chance to play in another Challenge Cup final is very disappointing and annoying.
The Kat: Not playing 5 drives and a kick.
What has been Warrington's best performance of the season so far?
Mark: Saints in the cup was outstanding, especially against such good opposition.
Jenna: For a game we have won, I'd say when we beat Hull FC a few weeks back. We had players missing and the determination was outstanding. However, even though we lost, the young lads against Salford definitely showed a solid performance.
Mike: Saints in the cup with a full team. Hull in the league with half a team.
Julie: Saints in the Challenge Cup.
What has been Warrington's worst performance of the season so far?
Mark: Leeds away was totally embarrassing.
Jenna: The 36-0 defeat at Headingley in February.
Mike: Wakefield away.
Julie: Leeds away.
The Kat: Leeds away.
Looking at the other Super League clubs, which teams have impressed you this season?
Mark: Saints is the obvious choice, they are such a complete side even since losing Thompson.
Jenna: Leeds have put in some good performances, as have St Helens.
Mike: Leeds since lockdown.
Julie: Salford
The Kat: Saints again unfortunately.
If you could pick one player from any Super League club to add to the Wire squad, with money not being an object, who would you pick and why?
Mark: Good question - probably Liam Watts, as we do look a bit light in the front row these days. I know Cooper is fantastic but if he had Watts next to him that would really give the halves a platform to surge forward.
Jenna: Alex Sutclifffe, for a young lad he is excellent in defence and very good in attack. I'd love to see him show his potential at Warrington.
Mike: James Bentley from Saints. He's going to be a star.
Julie: Jonny Lomax.
The Kat: Alex Walmsley because we're going to be short up front soon.
If you could pick one ex-Warrington player in their prime to enter the current team, who would you pick and why?
Mark: Jonathan Davies. he is the best rugby player I've ever seen. We were so priveleged to see him and we could do with a world-class centre right now.
Jenna: Most probably Peta Hiku, for the short time we had him he was outstanding.
Mike: Lee Briers. Easy choice.
Julie: Lee Briers.
The Kat: Briers because it doesn't look like Widdop will be sticking around.
Which position/area of the squad do you think Warrington are currently weakest in?
Mark: Definitely prop, as discussed with regard to Liam Watts.
Jenna: This is a hard one to be honest, but I feel like the halves are currently weak and aren't really communicating with each other.
Mike: Loose forward. Need to settle that down.
Julie: Creativity is lacking, I think we have issues in the halves.
The Kat: The pack need better interchanges. Philbin should start. The likes of Akauola and Latu aren't good enough.
Thinking realistically about signings, what business do Warrington need to do for 2021 in terms of incomings?
Mark: I know Inglis is coming so how about a Makinson-style winger for him to supply those offloads.
Jenna: Obviously with Murdoch-Masila going we definitely need another second rower, and if the rumours about Widdop are true we should invest in another half, unless Price is willing to give Riley Dean a shot. I'd also bring in another prop seeing as most games this year the bench has been very light.
Mike: None. Use the youngsters.
Julie: If Widdop leaves we need to replace him. I think we might need to say goodbye to Price and then let a new coach establish his team. Looking forward to Inglis arriving.
There has been plenty of debate about how to fit Matty Ashton and Stefan Ratchford into the team. Where would you like to see them play?
Mark: Ashton looks fantastic at full-back, his kick returns are superb. You've got to fit them both in so maybe play Ratchford at 13.
Jenna: For me I'd definitely keep Ratchford at full-back as he has been immense there. Ashton is too good to keep out of the squad completely, so I'd most likely put him on the bench or on the wing if Lineham doesn't sort his discipline out.
Mike: Ratchford at loose. We need a good loose.
Julie: I think persevere with Ashton at 1 and Ratchford at 13, although Ratchford can play pretty much anywhere.
The Kat: If we lose Widdop then I'm happy with Ratchford in the halves, otherwise it's Ashton on the wing instead of Lineham who is good but gets banned too often.
How well do you think Super League have managed the restart and the fixture changes that have happened?
Mark: I think they have done an excellent job in extremely difficult and unprecedented circumstances.
Jenna: This whole season has been a mess to be honest. Obviously without the games carrying on clubs would most likely struggle as well as players mentally. The RFL have tried to restart the season as best they can, but if fixtures keep getting postponed or moved, I feel we won't be able to complete the season in November as planned.
Mike: Okay. Not sure what else they could do.
Julie: Super League have managed the return well but when tests are free to the public I don't think neutral venues help. If anything they increase the risk.
The Kat: SL have done well to get the league going again but I don't think teams should've been able to duck fixtures because they had a couple of positive tests like they did. It's been great to see all the games on TV (but why do we have piped atmosphere when we've got an opportunity to hear the players?) Now the football's back on though maybe we won't be able to watch our team. SL should get all games broadcast on PPV with money split between the clubs and broadcaster.
Why do you think other sports such as football, Formula One, snooker and cricket have successfully restarted with minimal disruption when a fixture change in Super League seems to be a weekly occurrence?
Mark: Because the contact nature of rugby means it was always going to be a higher risk. It's the same in rugby union, it's not an RFL problem, it's a rugby one.
Jenna: I don't know really, there was a discussion the other week about SL players not following rules as they should be and meeting people from outside their bubble. If this is the case then why aren't the said players being punished for breaking the rules?
Mike: More forward planning. But they have the money to do that.
Julie: Only explanation is money.
The Kat: The clubs should have put their players in bubbles. I know it's hard for players' families but they are pros. Other people spend 3 months on an oil rig or on tour in the forces. To be fit and available to play is their job.
Do you think the Championship and League 1 should've also restarted and how should Super League handle the Toronto situation?
Mark: I don't think it would be financially viable for the lower leagues to return without the income streams that supporters provide. Toronto is a difficult one but as long as they are self-financing then the RFL should back them. We are a sport with proud traditions of innovation and long may that continue.
Jenna: I think Championship definitely should've restarted. League 1 I'm not so sure. In my opinion Toronto shouldn't be allowed back into SL and should have to play in lower leagues. Even though there's no promotion this year, I'd bring up either Featherstone or Leigh as SL won't be able to play with 11 teams in 2021.
Mike: No, they can't afford it. I wouldn't let Toronto back in. Give it to a Cumbrian club.
Julie: Don't know how the Toronto situation could've been handled differently.
The Kat: It would be great for other leagues to continue but I can't see how semi-pro clubs could do it. Toronto should have been treated more like the other clubs to start with so if they can raise enough funds to provide assurances then they should be given another chance.
Have you missed fans being at grounds and would you feel safe to return now?
Mark: I have really missed being a fan at the grounds and also watching live matches with fans present, however the time is not right to bring fans back as case numbers are still rising.
Jenna: I've definitely missed being in stadiums this year. We need to start getting back to normality now.
Mike: Massively missed the games. Think they should allow 50% home fans only.
Julie: I definitely think no crowds is affecting the game and I want a return immediately - I would feel safe attending.
The Kat: Yes. It would be nice if the play-offs were staged in bigger stadiums with half capacity.
A huge thank you to my five participants.
@ALooseWire
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