Head coach urges stars to guide Widnes back to play-offs

NEIL Kelly this week called for a leader to emerge from his troubled Vikings squad to guide his side back on track.

It follows yet another painful away defeat for Widnes, this time a 40-18 loss at the hands of London Broncos in Port Talbot, south Wales.

Again the team let themselves down with some woeful defending at the Aberavon RUFC ground and were effectively ripped apart in the first half by Jim Dymock, Paul Sykes and Chris Thorman.

"After 40 points against London, 30 to Huddersfield and 38 to Castleford, you don't have to be Einstein to know that it's that area we need to work on," said the head coach.

"Defending like we are at the moment, we've no chance of the play-offs.

"Giving us a glimpse against Wakefield of what they can do is not enough. We can't afford to keep putting it off to next week before we start doing it."

Kelly has now called for his players to step forward and help lead the flagging Vikings charge.

"We lacked a leader," he admitted. "We trained yesterday fairly hard and constantly we were trying to encourage players to be leaders from within.

"Teams can be led in different ways. A player who charges up the centre, a halfback who does a lot through communication and putting people where you need them, a fullback that can see everything going on - it could be all those people in the same team. That is what we're looking for.

"I would like to think we have that person, in fact I am confident we have, but we're still waiting for him to establish himself."

However, a reshuffle in the team again looks imminent for Saturday's match against basement side, Halifax (kick-off 5pm), with Dean Lawford almost certain to return to the line-up after being left out against London.

Kelly said: "The team I need to beat Halifax is in the changing room, I just need it to play better than it is.

"I expect to win. We're the better side but they're down and fighting very hard. It is not going to be easy - Halifax, given enough room and space, are a team who could turn anyone over."

l Neil Kelly this week gave the strongest indication the Vikings could follow London's lead and take the side 'on the road' in Super League X.

The Broncos played their 'home' fixture on Sunday at Talbot Athletic Ground, south Wales, to allow for work at Griffin Park, a move the head coach suggested Widnes could copy if problems with the Halton Stadium pitch continue next year.

"The pitch has been in a state of disrepair for some time. I think if the same situation occurs next year we may find ourselves doing the same," said Kelly.