I think the memory of that Batley try is what stops me feeling sorry for him. He wasn't far away from me and I remember people all around shouting at him wondering why the hell he just stood and watched the ball bounce when he could have got to it with a bit of effort.

It's starting to frustrate me more now. All we wanted last season was more effort from players who were clearly better than they were putting in. Now we're getting all the effort in the world, but from lads that just aren't quite at that level yet. Is it too much to ask for BOTH?

No he came on at HB and was pump

garbage for other reasons than dropping the ball.
As someone else said earlier in the thread he isn't an RL player naturally and it shows a bit.

You can learn given the chance. For now though I'd put Campbell there as anyone watching yesterday's game will be targeting Thomas with lots of kicks.

Before his leg fracture, Campbell was regarded as one of the better Championship fullbacks. He's fully recovered now, and we are (nominally) a championship (academy....) side, so it's time to give him an extended run I think.

I would prefer some stability and dependability at full back at the moment and Campbell seems to deliver that. Gives confidence to the youngsters.

It takes a lot longer though. As previously stated about the likes of Clare they just seem to naturally know what to do almost instinctively. That means that can concentrate on doing the other things better than everyone else.

Lilley is also another one who just seems to have the game running through his veins.

Whilst I agree that the bomb that he dropped was a game changer I still think he's a good player. He has claimed some high kicks under pressure as well and IIRC he has won us a couple of penalties for being tackled in the air.

I thought Oscar was one of our better players against KR despite having a group of lads sat behind me slating him all game!

I think he needs more game time before he can be written off. He made an excellent try saving tackle yesterday as well as a couple of dropped balls. He's no half back but might just do a job at full back for us. He was quite busy yesterday and everyone always remembers the dropped ball

Oscar is a great lad. I spoke to him after the Sheffield game last year in which he was excellent for us. However I have always said Oscar is a confidence player and at the moment we have absolute zero confidence flowing though the squad. That's never a good thing. Dropping him doesn't help his confidence but there is no way he can be ahead of Campbell.

Campbell to start vs swinton if he is fit.

I would guess he is fit because he was our 18th man at kr and at the weekend. Just not getting picked.

This discussion may be irrelevant in a couple of weeks when Pheonix arrives.
I can't see him coming over for what could be a 27 game contract and sitting in the stand. If Lilley stays for a few months he will surely keep the SH role with Leon or Keys at SO. That to me leaves the FB open for Pheonix.

It's really strange. At HKR Thomas was solid under the high ball and that was with fast and big guys running at him.

Difference is the weather. So hard to catch a high ball in those conditions. Bound to be one dropped eventually. I thought he was solid to be honest against Rochdale. Scored a try, kicked the goals and set up a try for Bentley. Plus that was an outstanding try saving tackle too.

Campbell is still the better player though, by a fair distance IMHO.

Oh I agree mate! I think he's been very good and very solid this pre-season. Was hoping he'd get a run in the side

www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/article/ ... =hootsuite why oh why????? Campbell must have a really unlikeable personality as no matter what he does he can't get a break...

www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/article/ ... =hootsuite why oh why????? Campbell must have a really unlikeable personality as no matter what he does he can't get a break...

I think that secures his future for the FB role this week then!

If we're going to give Thomas a long run at FB let's give Campbell a chance at centre. I think he could offer more than Mendeinka in that position.

The thing is is dont know if anyone picked up on it, before the season started Gledhill did an interview on BCB with Chalmers. In that interview he was talking about everyone involved at the club and fans mucking in together. He said whether that be Geoff coaching, Oscar at fullback or etc etc. To specifically name Thomas at fullback before a ball had been kicked said a lot for me. I wouldn't be surprised if he was one of the top earners signed up thus making it untenable not to play him. Not that i'm saying he isnt good enough, but in a fight we need people who know the league inside out and Campbell should be at full back

Campbell should be at fullback.

He did enough in the 2 friendly's to prove that in my opinion.

I know Batley fan very well and he would have him back any day of the week.

If Oscar was signed on massively more than others then we are in trouble

I treat any comments about wage rates of players as pure speculation.
I'm amazed that some on here are so dismissive of Thomas - he's young and talented . After the Hull KR match neutrals and Rovers fans were full of praise for him.
There is room in the 17 for both Campbell and Thomas. Both can play centre, both can play full back.
I rate Campbell highly - I watched him when he played for Batley and he was usually the best or nearly the best player on the pitch.

It sounds like "yeh " today. To be fair i thought apart from the dropped kick Thomas didn't do a lot wrong last week in shocking conditions. I think he'll improve as pitches dry up.

After today a big yeah