Another big test for the Bulls.

Discuss.

It'll depend on the squad we put out.

I'm hoping that Mullaney and Siejka are back. I'd also expect to see one of Uaisele or Ulugia (maybe both?). It would also make sense to bring Lauaki back in if he is fit.
Now would have been a great time to use extra squad members like Walshaw and Tahraoui (and Davies), but that obviously won't be happening.

I predict that we'll struggle and probably end up winning thanks to the part time v full time scenario that has helped us through the lion's share of games this season.

If we don't have a regular 6 or 7 available for this one then I can quite easily see us getting rolled over in this match. Featherstone will be looking to right a few wrongs after we took them apart at home early in the season.

Agreed. Featherstone are fighting for their lives for that fourth spot and unless we improve on the last 3 weeks, we could lose this.

Little confidence we'll get a positive result until we get a half back pairing to take us around Odsal. What was up with Seijka, too much in last weeks comeback game and rested or ? We need (and are owed) a performance - can't keep saying we will do it in the 8s cos that's becoming questionable. Never thought I would say we were a 1 man team but without Gaskell you have to wonder where the next decent performance is coming from?

I wouldn't worry, we're terrible at the moment and have been for most of the year. You should win easily.

That said, I'll still be there hoping for the one time this season that we play to our potential.

What's parking like at Odsal? Haven't been since the early 90s, I used to park outside the Richard Dunn. Is this still possible? Or is there parking on-site?

You can still park at Richard Dunns. There is parking at the stadium itself but you might have trouble getting out from there

Half backs or no half backs, part time or full time, if we don't sort out our tackling and defence we can quite easily loose this one.

Ok. We have a big squad. Preseason, we were told this would help keep pressure on all positions and players would have to perform. But we're not using the squad like that.

There has to be a Salary Cap reason why so many players are loaned out or haven't had a competitive game yet.

3 games in 8 days would suggest swapping things around. Recent performances would also suggest swapping things around. I have a feeling we no longer have as big a squad as we thought. So we make do. Siejka will help bring some structure to attack.

Tackling with a degree of intensity will cut out some defensive errors.

I'm not as confident as I was 4weeks ago.

To be realistic our squad has lost members due to the odd 'season long' loans. In any case, it seems Jimmy never had any real intention of using the squad, which to my mind, is part of the reason the odd player maybe feels he won't get dropped.

Suspect our performance against Fev is going to depend on what halves we have available. With Adam Brook now at Keighley for the foreseeable, we'll have to hope Siejka is available and either Mendeika or Mullaney to fill in at stand off. I've great respect for Danny Addy and he'd be in my starting 13 every week...but he's not a stand off and even less is he a scrum half.

Last week we were told a couple of new signings were imminent. I wonder when they will appear. They need to be soon enough to let them settle in or it will be a waste of time unless they are so good that they will just walk straight in and turn us into a SL overnight. Hopefully, one of them is a disgruntled top quality half back from down under who wants a summer break like some other clubs have done in the past. If they are just ordinary championship players - then nowt to get exited about.

Given the way our squad was put together, I imagine quite a few players were signed on the basis of recommendations, players that Lowes had barely seen. There was always going to be a higher than usual drop out rate.

Well the 19-MAN SQUAD: Adam Henry, Adam O’Brien, Adam Sidlow, Adrian Purtell, Chev Walker, Dale Ferguson, Dan Fleming, Danny Addy, Danny Williams, Epalahame Lauaki, Harry Siejka, James Mendeika, Jay Pitts, Matty Blythe, Paul Clough, Ryan Shaw, Steve Crossley, Tom Olbison, Vila Halafihi.

So I'd imagine it's pretty much as it was on Sunday but with Siejka coming in at 7 and Lauaki taking a spot on the bench, assuming they're fit

come on bulls, relying on you lot to do us a solid here

Oooh, now I hope we don't win

No Mullaney so Addy and Siejka at halfback.

We'll be lacking speed and creativity a bit in midfield.

it would mean you letting Leigh take top spot though

If they risk Siejka, that is, according to Ross in the T&A it's not a foregone conclusion.

Has he said something new today? Sounded like sjeika missing out on Sunday was more a precaution than an actual injury.
If he does miss out today then don't think we can persist with Purtell in halves. Bring mendeika into standoff where he's played a lot or failing that hasnt Henry played standoff down under too. Don't see how either can be a worse option than Purtell who's never featured there and let's him play in his strongest position too.

With 4 weeks to the middle 8s I am starting to be concerned at the chances of Siejka and Mullaney being fully fit. if our whole season comes down to a gamble of saving the halves and throwing them in after injury it is a massive gamble.
If we are still in the championship next season I doubt I will be the only supporter shouting for extra "quality" halves as Addey works his socks off but isn't a half back.
It is OK Jimmy saying he is happy with them and I probably would be if we had the awesome foursome out there with the centres and backs we had to go with them. I could have played scrum half with that team - well, maybe that is pushing it a little. This team isn't awesome so it needs quality halves to get the best out of them and this is where we slipped up as soon as GOB backed out. Yes it is difficult to find a player but don't we all wish we had signed 3 or 4 less squad players and gone and tempted a good half from OZ. HKR manage to find two decent ones at the last minute. Money talks and we are all now watching with everything crossed that our halves (including Mullaney) come good the week before the real business starts.

The quote from the T&A is that, Siejka is in the squad "but[i it remains to be seen if he will be risked[/i", so it suggests his conversation with JL wasn't totally positive.

Course, Jimmy [imight[/i be playing mind games with Fev, who knows, but to be honest that's not his normal style.

Well I'd imagine we'll be big on the forwards tonight. It's 5pm now and it is still really muggy round this part of Bradford so it's going to be a tough night for defending.

I'm not going to say it's hot at Odsal, but a couple of Hobbits just went in carrying a ring

Neither of our first choice halves are playing. Gaz Moore suffering concussion apparently and Cooky just tweeted a picture of his BBQ cooking away, so safe to assume he's not playing.

With them two in the team we had a chance, easy victory for you guys now.

With a chance to go 4 points clear the path seems open to advance with ease and be ready to take the advantage as it will show what happens if the team take notice of Fev,I'm not sure what will happen but hope the outcome is as obtuse as Sundays game.