I think Sykes could drop to the bench or maybe drop out of the 17 all together. Addy at least onto the bench for me an Ainscough on one of the wings

Yeah, but given the lion share of points scored in union come from penalty kicks, it's clearly something that will have more emphases in their training than in league.

And Mick Potter seemed to make it clear that Ah Van is first choice kicker for Bradford, so I'd imagine that even having both Briggs and Herbert in the side would make no difference to that unless the number of his completed kicks drops

Union do place a lot of emphasis on kicking as we all know and agree they're bound to look into this in greater detail. Ah Van's technique works for him and seems failry effective so I've no problems on how he does it.

Agree re Potters comments - he made it clear as to who was the first choice kicker at the forum didn't he.

No Half Backs yet again, a 3rd defeat in a row is seriously going to damage our prospects of any success this season, not to mention reaching the top 8.

We need another Half and quick, even a loan signing.

After last weeks performance its a strong possibility. We already have Walker (whos been outstanding for me) and Platt how haven't done anything wrong and won't oust them!

Addy for Sykes seems like the obvious switch.

But, then, it seemed an obvious selection last week and Addy didn't even make the bench.

I'd also consider Ainscough for Rayner, but wouldn't be too bothered if he stuck with Rayner for a bit longer.

The squad in full is: Addy, Ainscough, Ah Van, Diskin, Elima, Hargreaves, Kearney, Kopczak, L'Estrange, Lynch, Olbison, Platt, Raynor, Royston, Scruton, Sibbit, Sykes, Walker, Whitehead.

When are Crusaders announcing their 19-man squad ? Isn't there a deadline ?

They have announced it:

Schifcofske, Thomas, Martin, Reardon, Witt, Sammut, O'Hara, Withers, Bryant, Chan, James, Dudson, Peek, Lupton, Moore, Murphy, Flower, R. Williams, L. Williams.

I'd have Sykes and Sibbit to drop out from that squad. Potter said that he'd be picking on form. Sibbit, though quite good in pre-season, has not really delivered anything but an number of penalties so far and Sykes at 6 is just a none starter.

Agreed. Addy has to play too.

Le Estrange or Addy to Scrum half, Kearney to continue at Stand Off for me.

We should beat the Crusaders but how I just wish

that we had not let Deacon go !!

After all the criticism he took before he left Bradford & after all the criticism I TOOK for singing his praises .... well he just proved all the critics wrong & PROVED ME RIGHT (AGAIN). Deacon for England me thinks

We are lost without him

So what's the story with Herbert this week? We need to sort the half back situation out or this season and last will just blend into each other. I can't believe the excuses we come up with for not playing our young kids. They are either not big enough, not up to speed with the plays or not ready. Other teams seem to be managing fine, and a lot of them with ex Bulls kids.

No story with Herbert. He has a hamstring injury of some description and unless I am mistaken it wont do him any good trying to play rugby with that kind of injury. Seems a simple straightforward story to me, he is injured!

Well last week Potter said he was 50/50 for the Wigan game. Same thing happened last year with Langers, he was nearly there for about six weeks. Fair eneough, no sense in bringing him back too early but would be nice to know.....Which is why I went on to rant about cover for the Halves....

“@v1nnyf: Shout out to @ainy18  today making his 1st appearance for b.bulls ,
Make sure u follow him he's he main mon !! Ha”

Addy's Twitter also hints at him playing as he says he's looking forward to tonight.

Hope to see both of them play today. Looking forward to seeing how Addy gets on this season. Serious potential.

Addy could be a really good ball playing 13, bit of Sculthorpe type player.

Team confirmed:
Royston
Ainscough
Platt
Ah Van
Raynor
Addy
Kearney
Hargreaves
L'Estrange
Lynch
Walker
Whitehead
Elima
SUBS
Scruton
Diskin
Kopczak
Olbison

Happy with that. Looking forward to seeing how Addy gets on.

Good to see Potter is doing what he said, picking players on form (Sykes and Sibbit out) and giving the youngsters a chance (Addy, Olbison and Ainscough in). That is the exact lineup I would of picked, hopefully we'll give it a good go.