Doubt that very much - I don't think there is any way at all that their contracts are likely to be conditional on Shudds retaining SL status, as if they were, then these players would be out of a job, unless they came scurrying back to us, who would not likely be at all keen in the circumstances, or threw themselves at the mercies of other SL buyers - who by then are all pretty much sorted anyway, and who didn't offer them anything or anything better when they weren't sorted and when these players were being touted.

But do you agree that these players simply could not play in an MPG v Shudds? I really can't imagine how they could.

Well, given that we're only 1 point off the top 4 now with a great win over Whitehaven for us and Halifax and Batley both losing

Thing is, Featherstone still have a big say in the outcome of the final positions as they have to play us and Halifax as well as pushing for their own top 4 finish

Next week if

We win
Fev beat Halifax
London beat Batley

A draw would be good enough for us and Fev to make the top 4.

Ideal scenario is Batley lose to London and Fax beat Fev. That (I think) would effectively put Fev out of the race, we'd be one point behind Fax but one point ahead of Batley.
And then in the final games, London to beat Fax and we go and get a result against Fev (tough but possible), which (I think) would see us finish third in the table.

Well on today's performance If we do get in the the middle 8s (and it's still a big if) then I think we'll make the MPG. having an actual HB doesn't half make a difference doesn't it Mr Ferres. With a superb spine of Moss/Gaskell/Chisholm/Gaskell we can give anyone a scare

Missed a fair few games, struggled in some of the ones he has played and his future lies elsewhere and you think Gaskell is so important you name him twice!!

Well said and after that first 50 or so minutes we looked world beaters (albeit only playing Whitehaven) and I do like the spine ur saying - just u meant to put Moss/Gaskell/Chisholm/"O'Brien"

If it is true that Addy and Clark are going to Hull KR and Clough, Ferguson and Gaskell are going to Huddersfield next season, due to a clear conflict of interest I don't think any of them should play in the Middle 8's, never mind the MPG, should we be lucky enough to make it to either of them.

How can any of these players possibly give 100% for the Bulls in any of these games if by doing so they might condemn themselves to the Championship next season? The whole system is unfair and puts the club and the players in an impossible situation.

Hold on you have beat haven at home let's not get carried away .

I think the coach will pick the best side he can to win games, and the players should be professional enough to know who is currently paying them. Did Welham kop out when he scored against us in the Middle 8 romp last season? All in all rugby teams are mates, it's a long time before the players move on and I doubt they'd want to let their mates down.

If we got into the Middle 8's and we didn't play Clough, Ferguson, Gaskell, Addy or Clark then I don't think we'd have much of a chance of getting close to the MPG or better.

Because we have a decent spine at last. Throughout the year we've had to endure Addy/Mathers/Haggerty in various HB combinations. We have lost in the last few minutes to Leigh twice with Mathers/Addy and Thomas as our HBs.

I'm not saying if we get in the middle 8 then we'll be celebrating a return to super league. i still think it's a huge ask to even get In there. But the quality of Moss and Chisholm is there to see and has improved our team no end.

Win - Win

Just edited after our dominant display v Fax today .....


Bloody predictive text *didn't spot it changed*.

& FWIW, Bulls right back in it now following today's results.

Do Fev play Halifax next??

They have as good chance of been in the top 4

Might have egg on my chops here after my assertive response to this gambit!

Oh those bloody Leythers...

Neither Gaskell nor Ferguson will play again for us. And FWIW I agree with the decision

Why's that?

Agree about Gaskell, he hasnt really played all season a big gamble to bring him back with out any game time, when the rest have struggled all season, now we have a 7 id keep with Chisholm, Charnock + Thomas for the rest of the year.

Unlikely we we will go up so why not focus on the players who are here next season and get them core of the squad playing together.

Bit different to be fair. Welham at the time was still fighting for a new contract at KR and hadn't already agreed to join Bradford. In fact there's every chance he hadn't even spoken to Bradford at that point.

As much as these lads are professional and will want to win the game for their own pride and mates, it's totally natural for them to have doubts that winning the game may make a difference in what division they're playing in next year, if they've already agreed a deal with the opposition, which in the cases of the players mentioned, is believed to be the case.

It's a flawed system, but then again the straight promotion/relegation one had a smaller version of it. For example that year when Cas played Wakey with the loser getting relegated, if one of Wakey's players had agreed to join Cas the following year, he'd be in the same situation. The Middle 8s just makes for a more wider version of it, as you're playing 7 other teams that may be pushed down a division instead of 1 or 2.

For me i'd play Clough & Clark. Giving 100% comes natural to those 2.

I'd still be tempted to play Gaskell & Ferguson. Both offer quality. I know Gaskell has been poor when he's played. But he's had Addy and Mathers as his FB/HB for most of the season. Everything had to come through him. The defences marked him out of the game. We've seen the quality of Gaskell last year. With Chisholm offering a massive threat, Gaskell can play with a bit more freedom and not having to do everything himself. With Moss supporting both, we finally have a real threat in attack. I'd give Charnock the 13 shirt. His defence is better than Addy. His passing is better than Addy. And his kicking is better than Addy. Maybe not quite quick enough to play 7.

Agree, I doubt we'll see Gaskell again - if we finish 5th then I would absolutely not play him. Even if it's in the middle 8s, I'd have fitness doubts with him being out for so long - see the MPG last year.

I think it would be harsh not to play Ferguson again if he's fit. I can see the logic of course but if we make the Top 4, I'd rather he be on the pitch than in the stands and always puts a shift in IMO.

Re Bull Mania - is Charnock with us for much longer?

I don't think leaving them out totally is the idea. But leaving Gaskell, Ferguson & Clough out should we play Huddersfield, and leaving Addy & Clark out should we play KR, makes sense. Also if we're playing in a game that directly affects those teams (i.e. If we beat Salford, it means Huddersfield can't qualify.... etc).

Other games there's no reason they can't play, as long as they are the best option at the time for the 17.




Week by week loan now, so until either we don't want him any more or Saints decide they want him back.

Week by week basis, but in all honesty, i can't see Saints taking him back.