Last updated 15:41, Wednesday, 12 November 2008

GED Stokes came into Whitehaven walking the proverbial tightrope, one slip and he was gone, no safety net, but by the end of the campaign he was almost walking on water, hardly putting a foot wrong.

No flash in the pan, I’m sure. The New Zealander with impressive coaching credentials is aware of the dangers of the so-called second season syndrome but will be hell bent on continuous improvement on both playing and coaching sides.

Stokes certainly displayed The Midas Touch in his first season, working a minor miracle; 2009 will be the real test and without hopefully any further off the field distractions there’s no reason why Haven’s head honcho can’t deliver in a much bigger way next season, especially as the squad is stronger and the options greater. Ged and the rest of the coaching team definitely have selection posers of the more enviable kind. Barring injuries, of course.

Haven appear to have both quality and quantity, no one will have a divine right for automatic selection in the start-ing line up, not even dynamic new capture Danny Russell from Gateshead; Danny will need to prove he has thunder in his boots a division higher. Nor former star playmaker Carl Rudd who is set to make a welcome return from the injury that stopped him in his tracks last season. The equally welcome decisions of Leroy Joe and Tane Manihera to continue for another year add to the equations.

Everyone will have to earn the selection right – that’s the Ged Stokes way, he will select without fear or favour.

There are some perplexing permutations and questions, notably surrounding key players who are competing for the same crucial positions. What’s your preferred halfback pairing? Is it Danny Russell and Gregg McNally; Rudd and Russell, Manihera and McNally? Or your choice at loose forward? – Rudd, Leroy Joe or even Russell?

Learned counsel (not legal!) can’t agree, that’s the beauty of it, so the jury is still out over who will fill certain posit-ions and combinations. Fans have already started guessing and I have my own ideas. One concerns Gregg McNally.

Anyone good enough to run rings round Salford on his dazzling debut, must be in line for a regular place in the 2009 starting line up, either at stand off or scrum half.

As his 34-year-old Kiwi mentor Manihera won’t be available until the spring, once his rugby union engagement with Wigton is over, there is a golden opportunity to pair the Kells lad with Danny Russell.

Gregg would relish such an opportunity just as he would partnering Rudd or Manihera. It’s also a challenge for him – he’ll be 18 in January – especially as opposition will on their guard, but let’s hope they won’t be taking the coward’s way of stopping him. But talent will out and if this is to be Gregg’s last season, with Super League clubs continuing to track his twinkling feet, then I for one hope Whitehaven make the very best of him.

Having gauged opinion from a few “expert” sources, there are 10 players who would make Haven’s starting line up: Benson, Adebisi, Calvert, Rob Jackson, Russell, Edmondson, Mattinson, McDonald, McAvoy and Rudd, the latter along with Russell in different positions!

There is a hole to be filled in the centres, of course – who will replace the giant Saia Makisi?

Rob Jackson appears nailed on for one of the middle back spots – and if so who will partner him? Scott McAvoy (also a serious contender for the back row), Derry Eilbeck, John Patrick or even Rudd who played there as a GB amateur?

Young Craig Benson has to prove he can cut the mustard in filling Gary Broadbent’s boots at fullback and up front a lot is expected of the potentially exciting Johnny Walker, from Wigan; Kyle Amor from Hensingham will also be looking to make a mark along with Marc Shackley, who I think already looks the goods, while Danny Barker and Chris Smith will be eager to consolidate last season’s great promise. Marc Jackson and Spencer Miller must be shoe-ins for most match day squads and Andy Gorski hasn’t been signed on again just to make up the numbers.

Top of most lists would be Howard Hill and here’s hoping Howard will fight his way back from illness adversity and reproduce the form which made him one of the 2008 stand out performers. And don’t forget Matt Tunstall, from Town, or David Ford – a real big hitter in the making.

So it’s all down to you Ged Stokes – it’s all about finding the right blend, balance and impact off the bench – this is where the head coach earns his corn!