i-mistake?

[leagueofhisown]

I think the return to Super League has been well documented on here already, and despite the obvious shortcomings, it is just good to be back! However, I cant help feeling that issues with the i-pitch wont be going away, and I for one, wish it would!

The pitch despite its approval from the RFL is not suitable for Super League and should be replaced as soon as possible. I had my doubts about it from the start, doubts which has been confirmed by the reaction of the players (from both Widnes and Wakefield) who have given it an overwhelming thumbs down. With such a negative reaction towards the surface this will only have a knock on effect of players not wanting to come to Widnes in the future on the basis of the plastic surface.

The surface might guarantee fixtures go ahead during the cold spells, but it does deprive the spectators of the wet/muddy/dry/hard surfaces that contribute to what makes Rugby League such a naturally exciting and unpredictable spectacle. The battle to adapt to changing conditions is often an essential sub plot to any game. It might be the best "plastic" available, and the i-pitch does produce a quick fast flowing game (a fact that will be emphasised when the likes of Saints and Wigan run riot on the pitch due to their superior pace and quick play the balls)  but that does not ultimately make it a better product. I don't really need to mention the obvious exposure to injuries.

I love the the fact that Widnes are now such an innovative club, but some decisions cant be made purely on economics, whether it is five a side bookings or a full time football club making the Stobart Stadium their permanent home.

I would be interested to hear other fans perspectives, and wonder if at some point the powers that be might be having a nervous conversation about whether they have made a mistake!

Bring back the grass!!

[Mr Widnes]

With respect, I disagree to some point. I think it is unfair, that people are making such harsh judgements on the viability of the pitch after one game, notwithstanding the unsubstantiated link to the i-pitch for the injury to Thomas Coyle yesterday. I've read one comment on twitter by a player who has endorsed the pitch and says that it is much better when it is wet and can't see what all the fuss is about since all players get cuts / grazes on all types of surface By way of comparison, take a look at Matty Ashust's knees from last nights game at Salford: (bit of blood and not nice viewing: https://p.twimg.com/Ak2MuUBCAAAyWNF.jpg I think the players on Friday night, on seeing that, would rather have played on the ipitch than at Salford.

I had hope to post a link of the state of Richie Mather's knees following his game at the ipitch but he's conveniently deleted the tweet! However, I don't recall Mather's injuries being anywhere near as bad as Ashurst's in a game that was also played in sub-zero temperatures.

I think (or at least hope like you) that the ipitch will prove its worth by the end of the season. The only thing the ipitch will deprive the fan of is the mud, the pitch can be watered to suit the users preferences / conditions  - I think from this the surface will only enhance the pace of the game.  Like you say though, unfortunately for us we will be on the end of some hidings this season!    Fans, and especially new fans won't want to watch a game in the spanglese and mud paying 20 quid a pop, they want entertaining games to watch with optimum skill levels. If the i-pitch helps that, and after all the sport is now in the entertainment business, then I can't blame the club for doing it.

[D Day]

I think the pitch looked great and is a great concept. For me though seeing all the players with cut knees and elbows had took the shine off our return to SL a little. I know players should man up and get on with it but seeing their reactions on twitter has left a bad taste for me.

Hopefully the conditions on Friday have had a massive impact and this was just a one off.  Maybe this was just teething problems and the club are working with Desso to iron out any problems.

[iksmudge]

i-think not.
i-wish for more positivity.
i-'m glad people like you are not involved in the day to day running of the the club.
i-thank god SOC is here.
i-Widnes. i-SOC.

[pikey]

i have just seen richie mathers pictures on twitter,there are cuts and burns,but no way near as bad as matty ashurst substained,some body tweeted from wigan #icepitch or #ipitch bring on the ipitch after they had seen mattys burns.

[FlyingPig]

Can anyone confirm/deny that the u20 game on saturday resulted in the same cuts and gashes as the weather was different and was wet as oppose to just cold.  I suppose the weather does play a part but I'm struggling to accept that the same won't happen in the summer when the ground is bone dry.  It was worrying the see som many players with bloodied knees and elbows.

I guess time will tell.

[Chris B]

i have just seen richie mathers pictures on twitter,there are cuts and burns,but no way near as bad as matty ashurst substained,some body tweeted from wigan #icepitch or #ipitch bring on the ipitch after they had seen mattys burns.

Spot on lad.

[rayvon]

Just out of interest have any other Wakey players tweeted anything or is it only Mathers?
His grazes could have happened when he slid over the dead ball line trying to stop Craven scoring?

[Pepe Le Pew]

Clearly there are issues, but I don't think they are unsolvable. It is far too early to rush to judgement. RL needs this to work, imo.

[Wirralviking]

Dont know enough about the pitch to know if this is true, but I heard that the problem on Friday was with the rubber pellet base layer hardening in the very cold weather. Now why this should affect the level of cuts and grazes I dont know.

Whether this suggests that knee and elbow pads should be worn below certain temperatures is up for debate. You see them play American Football is far worse conditions, but of course there isn't much of the players body that isn't protected!

As I understand it this is only a problem in very cold conditions and has been said if matches are attempted on grass pitches in similar conditions the risk of cuts and grazes are far worse.

I suppose the purists would argue that players shouldn't have to wear any additional protection to play on the surface. I think its a case of waiting to see if under the range of normal conditions there are any adverse problems.

I assume that most players were not affected at all or indeed accepted that it was no worse than playing a game on grass.

[LeedsViking]

Dont know enough about the pitch to know if this is true, but I heard that the problem on Friday was with the rubber pellet base layer hardening in the very cold weather. Now why this should affect the level of cuts and grazes I dont know.

Whether this suggests that knee and elbow pads should be worn below certain temperatures is up for debate. You see them play American Football is far worse conditions, but of course there isn't much of the players body that isn't protected!

As I understand it this is only a problem in very cold conditions and has been said if matches are attempted on grass pitches in similar conditions the risk of cuts and grazes are far worse.

I suppose the purists would argue that players shouldn't have to wear any additional protection to play on the surface. I think its a case of waiting to see if under the range of normal conditions there are any adverse problems.

I assume that most players were not affected at all or indeed accepted that it was no worse than playing a game on grass.

I might be wrong with this, but I don't think any NFL side plays on an artificial surface any more

[Brynhild]

I might be wrong with this, but I don't think any NFL side plays on an artificial surface any more

You're very wrong LV

[Pepe Le Pew]

I might be wrong with this, but I don't think any NFL side plays on an artificial surface any more

Is there a reason why they stopped using them, LV?

[lyndi]

dont see what the fuss is about if this had been a turfed pitch they would have walked or rather limped away with worse than a few cuts and bruises on such a cold night the game prob would have been called off and had it gone ahead on a turfed frozen ground there prob would have been a few broken bones

these players have trained and played a few games against the academy on this pitch and loved it and now cos of a game on freezing cold night they are moaning

think the powers that be need to get these big headed egos in and tell them if they have a problem to air it to the club and not twitter

[Pop Cider]

Just bit of Under Armour should cure the problem, and maybe over the knee socks. it's not rocket science is it?