You've had your chance

Mar 20 2008 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

WIDNES boss Steve McCormack says he has given every player a chance to prove themselves ahead of Vikings’ Easter weekend clashes with Batley Bulldogs and Leigh Centurions.

McCormack was talking tough after his side went down 24-16 at Barrow on Sunday and stressed players can’t complain if they are left out for the start of the new Co-operative National League One season.

Although the game was a “dead rubber” – Vikings having already set up what was to be a quarter-final home tie with Sheffield Eagles – McCormack was unimpressed with his side’s display as Widnes were outfought and outthought by NL Two’s Barrow.

“The players can’t complain if they are not in my starting 17,” said McCormack.

“I have given every player an opportunity so far this year. I have used all the playing staff and I have given everyone a fair crack of the whip.”

McCormack says he will pick players on their performances in the Northern Rail Cup.

He said: “We have no injuries and the only player unavailable for selection is Ben Kavanagh who is suspended for two matches.

“I won’t be tinkering with the line up if we do well at Batley (on Good Friday) but obviously players’ performances dictate that.

“It’s important that we get off to a good start in the league and start making in-roads into the minus nine that we currently have.”

McCormack says it’s mission accomplished so far in regards to the Vikings’ cup campaign and now he says the main focus is coming away with the points at Batley and then backing that up at Stobart Stadium in Easter Monday’s first home league game.

He added: “We need to hit the ground running in the league.

“We weren’t happy with our performance at Barrow as it was well below the standards we set ourselves. But the good thing about the Easter period is that the players get a chance straight away to get that performance out their system.

“Batley at Batley is a tough game, no matter what stage of the season you play it, and the Leigh game is the same.

“We have a tough start to the new season but that’s the nature of this competition.”

Four former Vikings are in the frame to make Paul Rowley’s Leigh side on Bank Holiday Monday – Dennis Moran, Ian Watson, Lee Doran and Lee Marsh – and Rowley is banking on the four to make a big impact.

He told Weekly News Sport: “The Widnes game is always one you look out for. We have a lot of players who joined us from Widnes and they will be looking to do well.

“It’s a big game – the biggest of the weekend – and they and the rest of the squad are up for it.”

A 52-page souvenir issue of matchday magazine The Viking Storm is being produced for the Leigh Centurions game and will be available from today at newsagents, Stobart Stadium Halton and on match day.

The magazine is priced at £2.