Write us off at your peril

Jan 31 2008 by Ian Cheveau, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

WIDNES boss Steve McCormack has issued the rallying call ahead of the start of the Vikings’ Northern Rail Cup defence this Sunday.

McCormack says teams eyeing up the Vikings’ silverware this season should think twice as Widnes are in no mood to give up the cup.

However, he did admit rival clubs have “already written Widnes off”.

“Some teams have been writing us off for a while now,” said the coach.

“That doesn’t bother us one bit. Last season we were favourites and this year we are underdogs but we are comfortable with that.

“I will let teams write us off and then we can see what happens.”

McCormack was talking tough before the Vikings kick off the season at the weekend against Blackpool Panthers at Fylde Rugby Union club.

The ex-National League boss of the year reckons the Vikings will have a hard opening to the new season against former Widnes star Martin Crompton’s side – before they take on Leigh Centurions in the crunch game at Stobart Stadium Halton.

He said: “This game isn’t going to be easy. They have a new coach in Martin Crompton and have changed their squad so it’s not going to be a walk in the park as some have said.”

McCormack has repeatedly dismissed suggestions that the Northern Rail Cup is a ‘Mickey Mouse’ competition and the Vikings’ head coach has always treated the competition with the respect it deserves.

He is also aware the later stages of the tournament could come at a crucial time for Widnes as a club.

It will be important the Vikings are kept in the public eye around that time as decisions on Super League franchises will be imminent.

McCormack added: “We won it last year and we want to get hold of it again. We’ve spoken about it behind the scenes and know it’s important to do well in this competition.”

Iain Morrison, Widnes’ best player against Wigan Warriors last week, echoed McCormack’s thoughts.

He said: “With no promotion and relegation the cup competitions become that bit more important.

“We are the holders and we want to keep it that way. We have discussed this as a group and we have set some internal goals and we certainly have the players to retain it.”

The Vikings will continue to blood youngsters in the squad and the impressive Shane Grady may feature along with Michael Ostick, Dayne Donoghue and Steven Roper.

McCormack added: “We have a fully-fit squad and all the youngsters are up for selection.

“We will make a decision on who plays later on in the week but all the players are raring to go.”