[url=http://m.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/14269186.Bulls_boss_Lowes_not_concerned_over_half_back_options/back of today's T&A[/url

A really telling article, in which Lowes tells everyone Bradford don't need to sign a half back and the only people actually saying they do is the media

There's also a bit in there about Caprice and Jack's trials which suggest neither player was ever going to get a deal regardless of how they performed

Lowes needs to go. He's clearly lost the plot

Which means I assume he never speaks to fans or reads anything online. As 99% of Bulls supporters have also stated we need a 7. Hardly just the media.

As stubborn and pig-headed as ever, good old Jimmy



If Marc Green was truly serious about getting us promoted, he'd be on the phone to Rowley right now and handing Jimmy a cheque and his P45.

A bit harsh on lowes and the club I think.

It's obvious to everyone that we need a specialist 7 but it's not going to help the situation if lowes/ferres send an sos out saying we have no chance without a 7 signing. That's only going to drive up prices of potential 7s, push down ticket sales and probably kill off the team moral.

Of course we, and I am pretty sure everyone at the club, know we need a 7 but we have to get them in the right way. This article just seems a flag by the paper to hit out at the club, again! Lowes doesn't say he will under no circumstance sign a 7 but the headline suggests it

If it was another coach, then maybe that'd be true. But Lowes has shown time and time again his contempt for the media and his pigheaded attitude that it's his way or no way. Even when his way is straight off a cliff

Just to add to the concern as I've mentioned on another thread... Ferres seems to be saying we do need one and he is looking! There is either a huge disconnect between Jimmy and Ferres or Jimmy trying to play his cards close to his chest... Something he's not particularly known for.

When i first read the article i was furious and like everyone else wanted him to go.

HOWEVER, one thing Lowes always does is back his players in the media and maybe it's a case of him doing this. My worry is Jimmy is stubborn and the more fans/media suggest he should do something or the Bulls need to make changes, the more he digs his heals in (look at the Lauaki situation last year)

If he truly believes we don't need a 7, then he's lost the plot and has to go as it will cost us promotion. Simples. I hope he does know we need a 7 and is just giving a vote of confidence to Addy in the media.

Oh good grief Jimmy.

I find this worrying if he genuinely thinks that our options in the halfs are good enough to succeed in the middle 8's.

I agree that Addy is more than good enough to guide us through the regular season, as he is a superb rugby player, and I'd like to see Thomas given a turn at 7 if Mathers is going to be 1 as I think Thomas has potential (less said about purts as a full time option at 7 the better) But, and its a big but, I don't think Addy is quick enough or creative enough at 7 when it matters against SL opposition in the 8's - which is all that matters, not the 23 game preseason. We're (again) putting a massive emphasis on Gaskell being fit and firing for the 8's.
And I'm not in the media, I'm just someone who's watched this team week in week out for more years than I care to remember.

I'd like to think Jimmy is just applying a bit of media misdirection, but I don't think that's Jimmy's style, I think this is what he believes.

If it is what he believes he has a worrying confidence in the chemical composition of Andrew John's bloodstream.

Was Jimmy playing at the time when the team refused to play the ball to Shaun Edwards. Perhaps he doesn't believe that any rugby team needs a number 7

You'd think the CEO (or whatever Robbie's job title is these days) would be able to offer an opinion on this.

I tend to agree with general consensus. I really hope Jimmy is just saying this so as to show support for current players (Addy especially) and to not drive up the price of anyone looking to come in. But having seen what he's like, it's hard to think he's anything other than just saying what he thinks.

So, if Jimmy[i really[/i believes we don't need a number 7 then why hasn't he allocated the number in the squad list? It can't possibly be because he intends to sign one later, can it?

I would genuinely be surprised if Jimmy had any say whatsoever in the squad numbers. It's one of those things that you would expect someone like Lowes to think was stupid and not want anything to do with. I would expect someone else, like Ferres allocated them.

I know jimmys stubborn burin certain he knows we need a 7. Suspect he's trying to deflect attention away from addy and it it on himself. Nice bit of stirring by paper running brierley article same day too

If true, the same point applies. Ferres is one of the major voices in new signings and no. 7 has been left open, for whatever reason - and one reason seems so obvious there's no need to labour the point!

^ This

Lowes is just publicly backing his existing players. If we get a chance to sign a decent No7 I'm sure we will.

No need to flap.

^ That.

As said, the vacant no.7 jersey says much more than Lowes did.

And, it's also a total non-story given that Lowes also said:

⇅ ⇆

↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → B A

It may not get us a number 7, but it will activate all powerups.

(In Nemesis at least)

Exactly. Non story.

I just hope the majority of fans see it for the same and it doesn't effect attendances or fan moral getting behind the team.

I have faith that a seven is coming.. Although lowes certainly won't pander the media with details of it.

I'm sorry but I'm not willing to just chalk this one down to Lowes trying to be sly with the press. Mainly because I don't think he's got the capability to be.

His, frankly, pi$$poor media skills are a detriment to the club. There are plenty of Bulls fans out there who've never heard of this website and will go purely by what appears in print and comments like "I don't need to sign a scrum half" will be heard loudest.

I don't think anyone is slating the team, therefore there is no need for the coach to back his players. The majority of fans, however, can identify when the team has a problem and that signing a player with a particular skill set would correct that problem but to then hear the coach say he doesn't need to do that is in many ways two fingers to the fans and I believe it will have a negative effect on the numbers of people coming to watch Bradford.

7 shirt left vacant

Don't you think the words "until the 8's" or "until a suitable player becomes available" have been missed off the end of the "we do t need to sign a scrum half" just to make a sensationalist headline.

Piss poor reporting and there's no wonder Mr Lowes doesn't trust the media (at least of the local variety).

The signing of Lovegrove (on trial) shows Lowes is prepared to strengthen the squad when appropriate.

But if a coach publicly said specifically "Yes I do need to sign a scrum half" then that is telling his existing players none of them are up to the job. Would be true kamikaze coaching.

He is already reported as saying that if a player who would improve the team became available (and even mentioned a scrum half!!!!!!!!!) then he would speak to Green, so short of writing it in 20 foot letters on a big white flag, what bigger hints can he drop?

And you're basing this on what? You were there when the interview took place I assume?

If what's quoted is what Lowes said, why wouldn't the reporter use that as a headline? It's like a local sport version of David Cameron saying we don't need to put any money into the NHS. It's relevant to the Bulls and fans discussions (clearly, as people on here have done nothing but talk about a lack of 7 for months).

If Lowes did say more and Ross just cut it down and missed words out for sensationalism, the club would clearly not talk to him again. And since the main part of his job is reporting on the Bulls, I don't think he'd take that risk personally.

Too many people too quick to blame media for just reporting the facts or what they're told. Don't shoot the messenger and all that.

I'd imagine he's basing it on what Lowes reportedly said in the rest of the piece.