John Kear on rectifying problems at Widnes & plans for 2023

Steven Hughes
John Kear

New Widnes Vikings Head Coach John Kear has said he hopes to get the club out of the “hole” they are in at the moment.

After a strong start to the season when they won their first four matches, Widnes then went on to lose their next six matches in all competitions. This form ended up costing Simon Finnigan his job.

Since then, Ryan O’Brien has been in interim charge. Although the Vikings have only won once since then, against Whitehaven.

Kear believes addressing the current form will allow Widnes to finish strongly and plan for the 2023 season.

He told the club’s YouTube channel: “We’ve got to look where we are now, and at the minute, we are in a bit of a hole.

“There’s been a number of losses, consecutive losses as well with just one break in that. So we are in a bit of a hole.

“But what we have to do is accept that, look where we are, address that situation and make sure we come out of the other end and attempt to finish the season in a positive manner which will allow us to build for next season.

“There is work going on in the background, which is quite exciting, for 2023. But obviously, there is an immediate problem which needs to be rectified.”

John KearJohn Kear appointed new Widnes Vikings head coach

Kear sees plenty of positives in Widnes squad

While Kear does not officially start his new role until July, he said he has already given a thorough assessment of the squad, and can also see the positives with the players he has.

He added: “I did give a thorough assessment of the current squad. I pointed out the negatives, but I also pointed out the positives, and there was plenty of them.

“What we need to do is focus on the positives and attempt to eradicate the negatives, or at least minimize them, so we can turn performances around.

“Once we do that, the next step is results.”

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