Where do I start on the game?

Well I'll start with that I'm pretty certain that I've just seen one of the two sides that will be at Old Trafford on the 8th of October, a side who were absolutely disciplined from the word go and defended like a side that carries the favourites tag.

Despite the score it's very misleading as for long periods in both halfs we had consecutive sets of six on the Wigan line as we either forced the error from the kick or the kick it's self being perfectly timed and weighted to force one of the three Wigan goal line drop outs.

We came up against a very disciplined and determined Wigan defence that scrambled back superbly for which the ebst example being the first half where Kearney had broke the Wigan line only for Tomkins to turn and scramble back to haul Kearney down just millimetres from the Wigan try line and even go on better in making Kearney lose possession, giving Wigan the ball back.

In attack we were very lackluster and naive at times which I'm not going to blame too much on injuries but when you have Sykes at stand off and Kearney who isn't used to playing scrum half then we were always going to be lacking in the attacking flare department, which was pretty much evident from the word go with the scootd from dummy half and the basic one man Rugby League up the middle of the field, which was never going to unlock the holes in a well drilled and committed Wigan backline.

Yes Shad Royston had a try chalked off by the officials after only 90 seconds with referee Bentham saying that Walker amongst others being inside the 10m from the Kearney bomb.

I have no qualms about the above incident or the disallowed Nick Scruton try on 33 minutes where following another Kearney bomb into the freezing Odsal air saw Royston palm the ball forward as he competed with Sam Tomkins for the ball before the forward trajectory landed the ball into Scruton's hands.

Another day and with a bit more luck we would have had three tries in that first half, but went in at half time 26-0 down, which was very frustrating.

The opening ten minutes of the second half saw what we can do against the top sides as we had the forward momentum and were slowly pegging Wigan back inside there own half as the link up play between Sykes and Kearney started to work but after the two quickfire tries from Elliot Whitehead and Patrick Ah Van (great kick to the corner from Sykes and an equally great take by Ah Van) we seemed to lose the momentum that we had built up (no doubt helped by Mick Potters half time team talk).

This failure to convert possession into points in both halfs ultimately cost us the game, as did the fitness at the end of the game as Darrell Goulding, Amos Roberts and the MOM of the game for mine Sam Tomkins ran riot out wide and more so down that left hand channel, exposing the defensive weaknesses of Patrick Ah Van as Wigan scored 18 points in the final ten minutes.

So on the face of it not much expansive and entertaining play coming from this 2011 Bradford side but we did have our moments and the score really doesn't show a true reflection of how close it was at times.

Wigan win only there 6th game at Odsal in the summer era since 1996 and out of all the games where they have been the victors, I think this one was bar far the most impressive.

The try of the game has to be the Liam Farrell score just before half time. Some truly amazing keep the bay alive in the tackle play that from my Rugby League supporting view was a sublime a try as they come.

Wigan brought around 2,000/2,300 which is nothing short of amazing when you think that the game was in doubt this morning and they certainly made themselves heard.

We were quality today, unplayable IMO for the first half and the last 15mins of the second. No team in the league will match our attacking composure when spinning the ball out and our defence was superb. Sam Tomkins was brilliant and caused you alot of problems but we had other players able to break the line as well. As a Wigan fan I could not be happier going into our huge game next week!

Bradford didn't break our line once and only scored form two kicks. I don't think Bradford were poor, I am sorry to say we made them look poor.

Thanks for the congrats and I think Bradford will go well this season! We would have put 80 on Salford playing like that.

It was so frustrating at times, it was as if we were running at a brick wall.

Lets hope Tomkins plays like that when its England v The Aussies!!

Agreed, he is fantastic when running at the line, the Bulls players didn't have a clue if he was going to hit the gap, draw the man or pass... great to watch.

Horrible to watch when he's against your team!

Dangerous everytime he gets the ball.

Agreed! Fantastic player! Untouchable at times! Although he is ultra annoying for the opposition fans, one of them players you want in your team but hate when he's playing against you!

We could always tackle him. There's an option.

Reminds me of coming to your place when the volcano used to get the ball on the wing or when Inglis gets the ball for Aus. He has built up a respect among the players.

It was disappointing to see the Bradford walk with 10 mins to go. Bradford didn't deserve that. They came up against a very good Wigan team today. I was impressed with Bradford last week and will go well this season I am sure.

Agree mate and sorry for not texting you back, I've no credit left but I will be in touch about Saturday mate.

He has, but he'd do even better in that respect if he stops trying to milk penalties (I don't think he's as bad as he was last season though).

When Finch & Lima come into that side you will be even better.

No worries.

Not sure if we're making the trip to Wrexham yet. Least it's on SKY, so lets hope we can get a win in front of the cameras to show the Bulls are back!

The bit I've blown up is 110% spot on.

You just shut us down and if you play like you did today them I fear St George will be on the end of a similar sort of scoreline.

Easier said than done! Unless you've got a new sure-to-work technique that Potter doesnt know about. If so, please send it to Mr M Potter, c/o Bradford Bulls, Odsal Stadium, Bradford

While it's not a must game, we have to improve our cohesion with the ball in hand.

At times today it was very flat and I saw too much one man Rugby League and let's be honest against a side like Wigan, a scoot from dummy half every other play is not going to unlock their defence.

I would start by not standing about admiring him, but getting stuck in.

That's why I think we need Addy, Southernwood or Herbert in the side.

Somebody capable of producing something different. We were so predictable today, and whilst that may work against some sides, Wigan won't let you fall over the line with the ball.

Agree again mate.

Southernwood and Addy have to be considered for the visit to Wrexham?

I asked about when Herbert is due back and got a lukewarm response.

Maybe the scoreline against will be similar, with defence like that we can keep them down to a similar scoreline. I doubt we can be as good in attack against the NRL champions.

There isn't much Bradford could do in defence against our play outwide and our quick PTB etc. but had they done better in the forward battle and had a slightly better kicking game then we would not of had so many oppertunities. St George will have a better kicking game than the Bulls did today and will no doubt have more punch.

I'm glad to see Tomkins has stopped trapping the oppositions arm under the ball whilst attacking the line. I can't seem to remember him doing it today.

I'm sure that would have already been on the Bulls players agenda already.............

However, he is the RFL's golden child! Any slight tackle on him results in an automatic penalty.

Apparently not today.

Don't forget Pat and Hock as well.

please dont talk b0ll0x