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| Quote ="Exeter Rhino"Given the state of your pack, I'd say having Lynch back would offer more to the side than Menzies in taking the team forward and giving you some shape in the middle of the field. Another player who hasn't been adequately replaced - who was responsible for that decision? This must be the softest Bradford pack in my living memory. It is a shame you finally have more quality in the backs and halves when a blind eye has been seemingly turned to forward recruitment. Most other SL clubs seem to have a lot more options in the pack - even the likes of Salford.'"
There's still Manuofakoa to come in to the side, hopefully quite shortly and also Olivier Elima to return, both from injury, so hopefully that will stiffen the pack. I'd like Nick Scruton to get back to his best form but he's been a bit disappointing and losing Donno hasn't helped as both have been strong tacklers previously. I'd hope with a (somewhere near) fully fit first choice pack things will look up.
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| Quote ="Exeter Rhino"Given the state of your pack, I'd say having Lynch back would offer more to the side than Menzies in taking the team forward and giving you some shape in the middle of the field. Another player who hasn't been adequately replaced - who was responsible for that decision? This must be the softest Bradford pack in my living memory. It is a shame you finally have more quality in the backs and halves when a blind eye has been seemingly turned to forward recruitment. Most other SL clubs seem to have a lot more options in the pack - even the likes of Salford.'"
His replacement hasn't even pulled on a Bulls jersey yet - give him a bloody chance!
I still think we'll see Langley moving into a prop position before too long, Manase might even come in as a second rower rather than a prop. It's such a shame Donaldson got his injury because I really thought he could push on and make the 13 jersey his own.
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| We let Lynch go because "it was good business" to quote Potter. I don't think he was happy about it from a playing perspective but we apprently did very well out of it financially given Lynch's age.
Trouble is he was the main workhorse in the pack. Kopczak appears to have stepped into those shoes this season but we would've been much stronger with both on board. Especially so with Scruton struggling for any kind of form, Burgess still very raw and Hargeaves steady at best.
Since 2008 we've had a sub standard squad that has become imbalanced with every season. We've either had a solid pack and no outside backs or no halfbacks and this year we're light up front even before injuries hit (6 forwards out injured at the moment). In some ways it's a reflection of us having no money but also some mistakes have been made, Menzies one of them.
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| As much as I'd like like Lynch back, our pack needs a Bailey type player more than a workhorse. I'm happy with Koppys development and he has a bit more aggression than he used to, but when someones knocking us about (eg hock on sunday) we have noone to step in and give him a seeing to. Elima will when he's back, but we need a nasty prop too.
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| If you ask me,
The problem we face and that causes us trouble is INJURIES!! every bloody year we get 3/4 first team players injured.
Its a joke.
I think we will start to do well once these injuries go and haunt another club.
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| Quote ="Terrace singer"If you ask me,
The problem we face and that causes us trouble is INJURIES!! every bloody year we get 3/4 first team players injured.
Its a joke.
I think we will start to do well once these injuries go and haunt another club.'"
ont blame injuries every team has them we had dobson green and galea out against saints and lost our 2 hookers during the game so all 5 playmakers gone we still got a draw . I would say its more down to coaching and team spirit myself
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| Quote ="fun time frankie"ont blame injuries every team has them we had dobson green and galea out against saints and lost our 2 hookers during the game so all 5 playmakers gone we still got a draw . I would say its more down to coaching and team spirit myself'" and we have 7 back row and centres out, including several of our better tacklers (Purtell, Elima, Donaldson, Sibbit), something that Wigan exploited fully at the weekend. about a third of the squad are injured. So it is a factor, even if not the whole reason.
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| Quote ="fun time frankie"ont blame injuries every team has them we had dobson green and galea out against saints and lost our 2 hookers during the game so all 5 playmakers gone we still got a draw . I would say its more down to coaching and team spirit myself'"
I'd agree with that. There's a thread on VT about who's out injured for SL and we are far from alone in having important players out already this season.
We lost Gale after 10 minutes but even without him we were still in the game at half time. The capitulation in the 2nd half was not down to injuries. It was down to a lack of motivation, focus and desire.
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| Quote ="martinwildbull"and we have 7 back row and centres out, including several of our better tacklers (Purtell, Elima, Donaldson, Sibbit), something that Wigan exploited fully at the weekend. about a third of the squad are injured. So it is a factor, even if not the whole reason.'"
im not saying it doesnt play a part im just saying other teams have injuries as well and do a lot better
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| Quote ="fun time frankie"ont blame injuries every team has them we had dobson green and galea out against saints and lost our 2 hookers during the game so all 5 playmakers gone we still got a draw . I would say its more down to coaching and team spirit myself'"
You're doing the typical fan thing of looking at the game entirely form your own team's point of view. We all do it, and I guess it's the just way we are to be honest, but you have to try and look beyond it and see the bigger picture.
There are two teams involved in every game and it's how [iboth[/i of those teams play or approach the game that really has to be thought about. So fine, HKR obviously got stuck in and played very well and I've no wish to say otherwise, [ibut [/iI dare say that Saints fans will be moaning like hell about how their side 'took it too easy' and 'thought they could win without trying', 'couldn't be bothered tackling' etc etc, I've not checked but again, it's just the way fans are, only looking at the game from their own team's point of view.
The truth is usually composed of elements from both sets of fans: Bulls didn't play very well and Wigan were merciless, result big Wigan win; HKR played well and Saints were somewhat 'off their game', result draw.
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| Quote ="Bullseye"....
We sure haven't been helped by injury but that's not a problem unique to us. Hull KR just got a deserved draw by scoring 36 points versus Saints with both 1st choice halfbacks missing. The rest of their team pulled together and looked great. What are the chances of our lot managing that?'"
Pretty reasonable, as long as you don’t expect it too many times! In fact, we’ve been doing just that sort of thing in the last couple of seasons, on the odd occasion. Like the near win by the juniors at Saints a couple of years back. The fact that we are on occasion capable of it just makes the rest all the more inexplicable.
Quote ="vbfg"That's the key. I don't mind losing to Wigan, Warrington and the like. I do not want to see them get absolutely paggered by those teams as though a loss was always on the cards and thus no effort is needed for this one. The extent by which they lose those games matters. They might even sneak a win if all the cards fall the right way up, and an unexpected win against opposition like that can transform a team and its entire season.
I'm through with excuses and extenuating circumstances. They need a rocket up their s. Last season should have been a turn around and was a huge disappointment. The merest hint of the same this year is not acceptable.
More mongrel, less lap dog.'"
This. I have been banging on for years that I [imainly[/i have blamed the players, (and that is not absolving the rest of the setup) but MAINLY the players for, in too many cases, too many times, a lack of exactly these qualities. And the fact that we are, despite much changed personnel, still a side that can go walkabout conclusively shows that whatever the malaise is, we aren’t on top of it.
Despite injuries, esp. Gale, despite Wigan running fairly hot, despite suggestions of other clubs’ backhander top-ups, we still have a squad of players that we are paying up to the cap limit so they are not mugs, and I don’t expect them to ever capitulate like they sadly regularly have been doing, and like they abjectly did in the second half on Sunday.
It’s again a theme I have kept returning to, people [icould[/i have gone home reasonably happy despite a defeat by Wigan, or anyone, if only they had the feeling that the team had put in their best efforts and done their best. In fact I spent decades on and off doing just that. It would be fine. What isn’t fine is your team being made fools of for 40 minutes, and the feeling they are making fools of us.
Or if the second half v. Wigan really truly was as good as that particular combination of players can do, then maybe it’s time to pack it in.
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| Quote ="Bulliac"You're doing the typical fan thing of looking at the game entirely form your own team's point of view. We all do it, and I guess it's the just way we are to be honest, but you have to try and look beyond it and see the bigger picture.
There are two teams involved in every game and it's how [iboth[/i of those teams play or approach the game that really has to be thought about. So fine, HKR obviously got stuck in and played very well and I've no wish to say otherwise, [ibut [/iI dare say that Saints fans will be moaning like hell about how their side 'took it too easy' and 'thought they could win without trying', 'couldn't be bothered tackling' etc etc, I've not checked but again, it's just the way fans are, only looking at the game from their own team's point of view.
The truth is usually composed of elements from both sets of fans: Bulls didn't play very well and Wigan were merciless, result big Wigan win; HKR played well and Saints were somewhat 'off their game', result draw.'"
yes to be honest your right
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| Quote ="Bulls Boy 2011"Bloody hell. Round 3 and calling for Potter's head. Don't get me wrong I din't think he is the right man for the job but calling for his head after 3 games is shocking. I know that being born in 1995 all I know really is the Bulls winning trophies left right and centre. Then since 2006 nothing. So technically I should be more gutted and annoyed at most on here because I never experienced Northern going out of business or playing in the old second division. However I know that all clubs go through phases. Well all the top teams barring Saints.
Back to 2012. Do you really expect to win any of the first 4 home games? Because I certainly don't. Catalan, Wigan, Warrington and Saints will be Top 5 with Huddersfield/Leeds in their. We beat Castleford in Round 2. A game which I 'expected' to win. I 'expect' us to beat Wakey this week and if we do we are still on course for Top 8. The moment we lose a game against Hull FC/KR, Wakey, Cas, Salford, Widnes and London is the moment pressure is on us to beat 1 of the top 6. So as long as we beat them then we don't have to worry about the top teams.
Tbf though I am disappointed at the lack of defence. But like I said I would rather make mistakes (like not finding touch) against a team like Wigan than against Wakey where 2 points will benefit us more as it stops a playoff rival getting them. Problem is, mentally can we afford to lose by 30-60 points then back it up with a solid performance? I know they should be out to win everygame but if they try and then lose it doesn't bother me personally so long as we beat playoff rivals and Leeds once
Also Potter may not be the most motivational person ever but he has made some quality signings for us. Hargreaves was solid for Saints, however he hasn't really been that for us. Also Elima, Raynor, Ainscough, (Royston and Briggs), Sammut, Lulia, Gale, Kear and he's brought on O'Brien, Bateman, Burgess, Crookes, Olbison and Addy. So he is doing some good at the club but unfortunatly not the correct person to pull us out of the slump.
Just wish people would stop moaning and groaning all the time. Accept the fact that Wigan, Catalans etc are class sides and will beat a lot of teams badly. Just be happy we arn't losing to Cas, Wakey and Widnes yet
Top 8 here we come (even through some heavy defeats)
'"
If / when we lose to Wakefield on Saturday night are we then entitled to come back here on Sunday and moan?
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| Quote ="bullfan away"If / when we lose to Wakefield on Saturday night are we then entitled to come back here on Sunday and moan?'"
Wakefield tonight is simply a must win fixture if we are to lay down a serious marker for Play-Off Rugby League.
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| Quote ="MicktheGled"Wakefield tonight is simply a must win fixture if we are to lay down a serious marker for Play-Off Rugby League.'"
It's the fourth match of the season Mick!
Yeah, I hope we win and it's certainly against one of our more direct competitors, and a win would bolster the mood of both players and fans, but must win? Come on, Mick get a grip!!
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| With Warrington next up and a tough trip to Hull KR the following win i'd say tonight is a must win yes. If it is'nt which game is? do we have to wait until we play Salford at home on the 25th March for our "must win" game??
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| Quote ="JUDGE666"With Warrington next up and a tough trip to Hull KR the following win i'd say tonight is a must win yes. If it is'nt which game is? do we have to wait until we play Salford at home on the 25th March for our "must win" game??'"
Following win was a typo, meant to write week..
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| Quote ="Bulliac"It's the fourth match of the season Mick!
Yeah, I hope we win and it's certainly against one of our more direct competitors, and a win would bolster the mood of both players and fans, but must win? Come on, Mick get a grip!!'"
Yes but we're probably not going to get anything from the next three games - Wire, Hull KR and Saints. So if we don't win tonight we could end up one win from seven matches.
And, with the best will in the world, that's giving us too much to do to reach the play offs, even at that point of the season
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| Quote ="paulwalker71"Yes but we're probably not going to get anything from the next three games - Wire, Hull KR and Saints. So if we don't win tonight we could end up one win from seven matches.
And, with the best will in the world, that's giving us too much to do to reach the play offs, even at that point of the season'"
It's a long, long season mate, and [iall[/i teams are going to have their ups and downs as the season progresses and the fact is we're having some of our tougher opponents quite early on and that's not to say they aren't [iall[/i going to be tough, 'cos I don't see many easy ones. During the year some teams will start like a house on fire and fall away whilst others will start slowly and come on as the weeks go by, some, I suggest a few of the ones we've just played or are about to play, will probably still be around the top at the 'business end', but even they will have their little stutters along the way.
As for us, well we haven't even given a game to all our new signings yet, so talking about "must win games" after three matches isn't just a bit early, it's bloody ridiculous, imo.
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