I think the criticism of Widdop has been a bit more than just his pay and captaincy. Much of the criticism has actually been about the role he is supposed to be playing within the team. As the primary game manager and play maker he has not impressed a number of posters.
Those same posters in general have indicated they think he will be good at fullback ( hardly haters ).
Actually Carlton, the comment was based solely on the conversation I was having with DragonJ and focussed on his comments around Widdop shouldering the blame for any perceived failures during the time he has played for us. I understand some posters believe that Widdop has deficiencies and I too agree consistency is a problem. But this was more to do with accusing a single player for recent results.
So just to clarify the statement you have quoted, I want to point you to this statement from DragonJ
If that isn't true, if he was recruited as a marquee playmaker for them 5 years ago, yes, I agree with you. More blame can and should be placed on his shoulders for Parra's performance than anyone else.
So essentially, from that, I understand he believes that if you aren’t a marquee player, you don’t shoulder the blame – irrespective of the position you play or the role you play in the team. So DragonJ’s argument doesn’t revolve around his skills or his position in the team, it revolves purely around the title “marquee” and as a result the money getting paid. Not to mention we have more than one marquee player in the team and one actually getting paid more than Widdop. However, they don’t need to shoulder the blame somehow? Am I right in in understanding that if Widdop wasn't a marquee player and Hunt was, Hunt would need to take the blame? I understand there is more expectation on a marquee player, however for one to solely take the blame above all other players in the team is ludicrous. To add to this, in previous comments, DragonJ has mentioned the C next to him name as a contributing factor.
Next statement from him refers to Norman performing behind our current pack.
From back there watch what a decent playmaker can do behind this pack and end 5 years or torture for this clubs supporters.
Just to take this year as an example, were we not first on the table when the pack was performing? So in comparison to his first argument that he should take the blame for our performances, why does he not take the credit for our wins? Oh no – that’s given to the pack. But when the pack fails, blame falls to just 1 of the halves. Again, a completely ludicrous stance to take.
It’s not a coincidence that when the pack started to falter we started to lose games. Additionally, it coincided with Widdops injury and Ben Hunt’s loss of confidence. But lets just ignore these factors and focus on an individual.
If you then relate that back to Norman, his history in the halves has been exactly the same. In 17 when the pack was going gang busters, he was performing. In 18 when they weren’t he couldn’t do anything to save the team – and this was potentially when he was considered a marquee. He took the team to a wooden spoon. Great endorsement if what you are looking for is someone to lead the team around and close out games.
Which leads me to my final point. I’ve already pointed out that in the first game they played us last year, they were in an unlosable position – and yet they did. Where was Norman then? For all of the posters on here stating that he’s a great game manager and can close out games – this is the most obvious example that he may not be all we hope him to be. The second when they smashed us, he played fullback – which might even indicate that is where he should play.
So out of all that, I don’t see how DragonJ is basing any of his argument on Widdop’s role (as you say). And suggesting that Norman will do better is completely unfounded given the comparisons. To me at least it looks more like a dislike for the individual more than anything else.
For what it’s worth, I’m keen to see how Norman slots in and whether he can step up for us. Just as I am for all of our new recruits year after year. And this has nothing to do with a preference for Widdop. It has everything to do with team performance as a whole and not placing any blame on one or 2 players. It’s a team sport and the team has to take responsibility for their performance. And more than anything, the buck stops with the coach.
