From what I'm told, Halley is 50/50 as to whether he'll play or not. Whether he plays or not, I would still expect Kearney to be at fullback though with Sykes/L'Estrange or Sykes/Addy as the halfback combo. I would expect Reardon to be the one to miss out if Halley isn't able to play.

Don't I remember reading that they told Peacock there was no money for him to be given a decent pay (or pay rise) and then they went and signed Iestyn, proving the money was there after all, which miffed JP enough for him to bugger off elsewhere? Or did I read that wrong?

I can't see Macca naming four players as outside backs though.

I can't see him playing Finigan over Reardon either.

The team I would like to see is :

Kearney
Sheriffe
Platt
Nero
Finnigan
Sykes
Addy
Lynch
L'Estrange
Kopzcak
Langley
Whitehead
Menzies

Godwin
Crossley
Hall
Worrincy (even though Olbison should have been in the squad over him.

Me neither. But that squad to me suggests either same 17 as last week (albeit not necessarily in the same places), with only Halley for Reardon a potential change. If Finnigan plays, I would think it's only because of injuries to Halley and maybe another (which may be why he's in the squad if two players are doubtful). Perhaps Nero is not guaranteed to recover from the injury he left the field with? With doubts over Halley & Nero, that may be why Finnigan is in the squad.

I've heard that Reardon's hamstring still isn't 100% either.

With the amount of backs to forwards in that swuad though, it's clear Worrincy will be playing



Lets hope Whitehead gets the starting spot though.

Indeed, but don't forget theres Crookes as well who injuries permitting could develop and still counts as a young outside back.

We're down to the bones a bit, but putting a new lad in the 19 is good experience/confidence for him even if he plays or not. Shows the coaching staff must think something of him, can't say I've ever seen him play. Doubt he'll make the 17 mind.

I'd not forgotten about Crookes. I honestly can't see him becoming a first team regular from what I've seen of him. Hope he proves me wrong of course, but I think Wardle looks a better prospect in the centres (assuming he stays in that position).

I'd agree with Wardle looking a better prospect at the moment, its just a shame that injury has hampered Crookes' development. With the run he would have had in the 1st team at the time he might well have come on significantly. Still might, but I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Are the Super League website just guessing, or do they know something we don't?

Bit disappointed that Southernwood isn't getting another go.

Our halves are pretty awful, though understandable given circumstances.

Another loss this weekend i'm afraid.

Pretty sad Bulls fan here, who really doesn't have the same excitement about our young crop as others seem to do.

Why?

Yeah same here, some of them look outstanding, some of them look not that great.
I think some of them have been bigged up to much and a number of the high hopes will fall by the wayside.

The only ones who have been bigged up [utoo[/u much are the Burgii.

I reckon they can handle it though.

Well i think it must depend on your expectations, however none of them have made me go "Wow, this kid is going to be good." or words to those effect with Whitehead an exception.

I think the youth system lately has just been billed up far too much over past few years to cover Mcnarama's failings as Bulls coach.

I mean seriously how many clubs blood more than 2 or 3 youngsters into first teamers a year. No matter how much potential some have, they never make it unfortunately.

Donaldson...

Future international? I know it's only Phil Clarke but didn't he say he'd be best player in league in a few years? I just don't think he has the build. Trying to think of a game when he has done some magic moment but can't i'm afraid.

Crossley were we told would be a very good centre.. From what i've seen he'll never make it in Bulls squad, and if he does i can't see him being anything special.

Perhaps they shouldn't be playing him as a prop then...

I would put money on Donaldson featuring for England at some point in his career.

I admit best player in the league is a bit over the top, but do any of us pay that much attention to what Phil Clarke says anymore?

I just think if he was that good we'd have seen something to show this even at his young age. Though with forwards it's understandable most don't pick until mid-late 20's.

I think you are risking allowing your views of Macca to cloud your judgment about the results of the youth development, which are bursting out all over now. My opinion!

And tbf to him, he doesn't look as physically developed as Whitehead and Addy.

Form watching him in the u20s, he's got good ball handling skills and a great offload. His defence is top for a youngster & for his size too.

I think once he has a bit more size he'll go better at SL level. He hasn't looked particularly out of place, but his class hasn't shone through like it does in the u20s.

I imagine he reels himself in a bit too though, as he won't want to try as many risky offloads when trying to break into a team and in front of a bigger crowd in case of the error.

I've always maintained that Donaldson has the most potential out of him and Elliott, but atm Elliott is further ahead.

One thing is for certain, (Langley has a lot more years yet, Whitehead looks like he'll be a regular for years to come, Addy, Olbison, Donno & Tate look promising) we'll have a very strong back row in a few years time.

Whilst pretty obvious i've never really rated Macca, i'd like to think i know a good player when i see one.

I just don't think you can expect any youth system to produce that much first teamers to bring this team back to where it was.

Maybe that's the bigger issue though, and one i've found more difficult than any other.

Addy's performance on Sunday must have made you think about his potential?

I've never worried about our back row. It's our backs that worries me.

I just don't want Donaldson to be another that had a lot of potential but never delivered, though the lad has years left to prove himself.



I didn't go i'm afraid. Having to earn some money.

Was told he did well at 6. Seems a bit big for 6 to me like and seemed a nailed on forward from previous viewings.

I agree, not as good as his billed rep suggests. Have seen some strong defending, but nothing punishing and on attack James has been pretty much none existent IMO, I mean he hasn't even made a break. I can see James being a Rob Purdham type of player, decent but not outstanding. Kevin Sinfield wasn't a big lad though to be fair, but you could see he was a quality player and had something special about him even from his early days as a pro.

I think you mean Crookes and again I agree, nothing about him, maybe a little pace but no strength and little skill and his lack of size definatly will hiinder him. Can see him being offloaded in the near future.