Thats an interesting question. I can't see it being aloud though.

Haven't heard Hetherington slagging off Catalans! Surely they must the embarassment of super league?

No cos then he`d be based over here and require a uk visa.

Surely even more so, given that they look to be allowed to sign a player who was not allowed into this country. Isn't that even more of a "scandal" warranting an even more severe outburst?

Or maybe Hetherington's "outburst" will be shown up for what many believed it was - just another attempt to do damage to the Bulls? And after all, who's to say that the wide publicity his (contrived?) tirade received will not have influenced the British Embassy in Canberra?

Lets wait and see what happens, eh? Maybe leopards do change spots...

And another thing: weren't we told that Bird had been sent videos and other material regarding our plays etc? If so, that could come back to bite us when we play Cats?

We on sky next week so anyone an see our game plays, give it to forwards x 5, give it to deacs who gives it to jefferies who gives it back to a forward,knock on, handover.

I don't think the video is very long

And if he's been practising we may even get some cheap possession and field position when we face Catalans.

I originally added comments to the effect of the previous three comments in my post, then thought better of it for fear of people thinking I had been co-opted into the Negative Tendency! Thought I'd wait for others to pick up the obvious cue, and yes spot on!

What's the betting that Bird comes up with a crucial play for Catalans when we visit in a few weeks?



But before that we have two pretty tough games ahead, if we can scrape through at Wigan it would be a big boost to our confidence. Hoping to see a fired up and determined effort at the JJB.

[url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,25080253-5006066,00.html?from=public_rssHere's an article[/url about the person supposedly responsible, Sharon Ewart. Now here's what I don't get...

Now Greg Bird (and Eastwood et al) may be many things, but they are not terrorists. And as for the GEC, by denying the clubs the right to sign these players, they have denied them - British businesses, some in not the best of health - an opportunity to improve their side, get more people through the gates, spending money etc.

I hear Bulls had to let some office staff go this past week. I wonder if a bumper crowd against Hull KR to see Greg Bird's debut would have made any difference.

Bird is obviously just following the well worn path of illegals by heading to France first.

Can we not get him onto a lorry at Calais?

Sadly I suspect you'd not have seen the "Bumper Crowd". At least not if much of the opinion on here was representative, given how many were saying he "wasn't the sort of signing we wanted" or whatever. As if we are in any position to pick and choose, eh?

For my part, his signing could have been crucial to addressing the problems that were plain to see these last two games, and I supported it wholeheartedly.

Would I be surprised to find anti-RL elements at work in the FCO? Would I hell.

And as for the staff comment - well if that's the case (and I'm desperately depressed if it is) maybe the Negative Tendency can explain where the cash for paying this Great Salvation of a new Head Coach is coming from?

Sales of haggis, carved from the McHaggis mines found in the lowlands of Scotland



The highlanders won't have anything to do with them

Better still why don't certain people explain what effect the dwindling crowds will have on our finances when we draw crowds of 7k for the home games against Catalans, Celtic and Harlequins if we continue to perform like we have.

Or better still, why don't people who sung 'Bradford till I die' then scuttled off when things get tough do just that, die?

Not me, obviously. I don't go any more but I have my reasons.

Edit on assumption you don't own a crystal ball.

But you already know the answer to your rhetorical question - it would be catastrophic. No brainer. So why ask it? Unlike yours, my question was seeking an answer to the problem.

So given that you have only answered my question with a rhetorical question, how about a plausible answer? How about: if more people would maybe try to be a bit less negative, and spend a bit more time trying to give wavering or potential supporters reasons to turn up rather than sit at home criticising, then maybe - just maybe - that would give the club more funds to take some of the steps the Negative Tendency are crying out for?

And if that means having to temporarily suspend the extreme scepticism and disenchantment with the performances so far, and get off some players' backs and get behind the coach and the team for a bit - and suspend keep saying its just a continuation of last year - is that too high a price to pay? Is that too much for some on here who seem more interested on being proved right than in the team doing well? (And you know I do not include you in that category).

A big ask for some of the dwindling number who still post on here I know, and indeed a big ask for me on Friday night when I came scarily-close to joining the Negative Tendency. But I fought it off. Again.

Do we really want to be seen as the most fickle "fans" in the competition? Thats how we are looking to those outside, I suggest?

Do we really want any potential recruit, any potential supporter, to read this board and say "nah, they are in the do-dos, thats not for me"?

I said in another post: if after we are well into the season the performance has not improved, then the club will need to do some straight-talking - especially after all the positive noises they have been making.

But it seems to me that if too many of the "supporters" carry on like this, then indeed we will satisfy the self-fulfilling prophecy your question implies.

I've found the rarity of any 'Get behind the side' sentiment on here rather sad over the past couple of years. Supporting any side in any sport is an activity driven by emotion rather than logic, and some of you lot make me think of the Grinch, born with a heart two sizes too small.

Not you red. You already know what popular children's book character you remind me of.

You mean like people did against Hull KR even though we were shocking and like people did against Huddersfield till it became evident that we hadn't improved and a full 2 weeks had passed since the last game.
The fact that since Big Les depature we have won only 20 out 36 games and lost in the first round of the play offs 2 years on the trot. This is the thing that sticks in most people minds if you then add the start to this season people are finding it very hard not to be disgruntled. Also it's becoming more and more noticable that people are questioning whether we have the right man for the job as their isn't anything to convince them other wise. I truly do hope Macca is able to turn things round and I will galdly eat a huge peice of humble pie if he does but you can't get awy from the fact's of the last 18 months.

I bet he's from a Mr Men book.

Yes you can't deny the facts. Unfortunately neither can you get away from the financial realities as I keep saying, nor the way the competition has leveled-up so much such that no team should now expect to have the dominant runs we saw in the past when we really had a competition within a competition. After all, this is the same Hull KR who beat Stains on their own midden last week, and the same Hudds who beat Cats on theirs - both teams who finished above us last season - so maybe - as their fans rightly point out - people need to recognise these are much-improved teams?

As I said, why can't we give the team some space for them to demonstrate they can indeed perform the way we continue to be promised?

When you reflect on Friday, this lot from the T&A - and Morro elsewhere in the report fully acknowledges shortcomings elsewhere but does also emphasise the disruptive start to the season - may have some bearing:



At least that helps answer my question regarding why we seemed to be losing it in the hooker department. Maybe those who took issue with Newton on here will take note?

i was wrong about the contract. I read the program on Friday and Hood is quoted as saying he signed. how would this affect the registration process with the RFL?

Sorry I'm not bothered that we lost to Huddersfield and drew with Hull KR. What I'm bothered about is in truth we never really looked like winning the games. If we play to our best and are beaten by a better side then fair enough but so far that's not happened.

The comment above at least shows that players and staff are aware of one of the problems (and my personal bugbear!)

This has been an issue for yonks though and if our pack is as good as everyone keeps saying then we'll need to start showing it.

Its the lack of progress made by the side on things like this that get me down. While accepting the financial realities I also know that many players are currently playing beneath their ability. This would test the patience of anyone. If those of us that care the most are getting frustrated then the "floaters" will just not bother coming. I really hope there is going to be some improvement soon as I really fear a long hard season.