Surley it would be better for us to make the playoffs even if we only manage the first round. Isn't prize money allocated on final table standings?

I think I was just being selfish!

I just don't see a great deal of difference in finishing 9th or scraping into 8th unless I genuinely felt we could win a match or two in the play offs. I've pretty much written the year off, I am however looking forward to seeing how players like Addy/Wardle progress in the last 1/3 of the season. I just hope we give them the opportunities.

Maybe if we string a few decent performances together I'll change my tune, not looking very likely though right at this moment.

Before our end of season run, you'd have thought the same last season. If we had of got in, youd have backed us to win a few.


It's not over yet, but it will be difficult.

I would like to see Addy start in the halves next week too. (Although i'll only be able to hear how he plays on the radio)

Well I try to be optimistic, but this current side is playing a fair way blow the standard necessary to be in the mix for Silverware. Yeh we might just scrape into the 8 and win a match, but I can't see us doing anything more. I don't see a great deal of achievement in finishing below mid table and I have never agreed with the top 8 system in our SL.

So I'm more interested in seeing some of our young talent flourish. I want to see more of Wardle, he's impressed me in the couple of games he's played. I

So would I, but I can't see him getting any time soon as Nero & Platt are playing well atm.


Olbison has been playing excellently in the u20s recently though, if McNamara has any sense then he'll be in for Worrincy next week.

I won't hold my breath, apparently we need him stood looking lost next to Nero whilst our wingers try to take us out our own half.

We'll wait and see, I don't think it's justifiable to keep W orrincy in after that second half though.

Indeed...but IIRC it goes to pay the players' end-of-year bonuses.

I have to say I'm getting a bit worried about missing the playoffs again. I reckon we now need to win 5 from 7 to be certain of making the 8 (27 points from 27 games should get you 7th or 8th - not guaranteed, but in reality it's usually the case), and we might scrape it with 4. Can't see us beating Saints or Wigan, so that means we can't really afford to lose any others (Quins, Salford, Catalans, Hull KR and Wakefield). All those games are winnable, but then so were the last 2...

We can't afford to lose any more games FACT!

The main reason we could do with making the playoffs is because we could do with whatever extra filthy lucre it would raise. Plus even though we are unlikely to go far in the playoffs if we reach them, it would be more excellent experience under the belts of the likes of Addy, Whitehead, Southernwood etc. in first team knock-out rugby.

And then after all it would also be one more day out for the travelling faithful

Lets hope they don't make it then.

He's not a stand off though is he? I'm sure if we had anyone better they'd be there. We just don't have the cover.




The situation with Kearney turning out to be a better fullback couild have been predicted. Anyone who'd seen him in the past was saying that fullback was his best position. However I think McNamara thought that with Orford at scrum half we could survive with a runner at stand off. Injuries put paid to that idea.

It does look like a bit of a glaring omission to go into the season with only one recognised playmaking halfback. I just wonder if funds were restricted or whether we missed out on getting someone else.

Despite all that I'm not blaming Sykes, who's doing his best and putting his hand up in difficult circumstances. We all know he's not suited to being a playmaker and does mis-read things in defence at times but getting on his back won't help (not that either of you too are).

As far as the subbing policy goes I struggle to see the sense in it at times. The situation yesterday did remind me of the farce in the Wigan semi when he subbed Solo & Newton. Thankfully those sort of balls ups are quite rare. However the use of forwards off the bench leaves me mystified at times, Kopczak for instance hardly gets any game time and so looks off the pace a lot. Give him more game time and he plays better, it's no surprise is it?

I'd hate to be a forward nowadays only getting 20min stints but Koppy must get frustrated with his 10/15mins here or there each week.

The thing with Sykes is he's either really good or really poor, there doesn't seem to be much middle ground. Ive been really impressed with him at 6 at times, on the other hand I've been disgusted.

thing is we werent really planning on going into season with sykes at standoff. Original plan was for kearney to be alongside deacon. Then Orford became available at a late-ish stage and deacon had to go to funds available. kearney alongside deacon would give us a runner alongside a creative half. We tried the same thing with kearney and orford but it quickly became apparent that kearney was better used at fullback where he can chime in as a third half. Sykes does a decent job running off a creative half. He falls down when hes expected to be the creative one imo.

The real issue is the loss of Orford!

A big loss too... Fingers crossed he comes back, he maybe on a big deal but is just what we need to guide us on the pitch.

Deacon will always be well thought off by the Bulls fans, truth is both we and most likely Paul were ready for the change.

I don't blame Sykes, he was pivotal in our late run last year and always puts in 100%. He's just unimaginative in attack and when the pressure is on to come up with something different. I am surprised we haven't persisted with Southernwood, whose crispness of pass and short kicks in attack gave some bite to our attack. As for the interchange with the forwards, I agree when Koppy gets more game time he looks far better and Crossley hasn't done anything wrong for me, but isn't likely to get much of a run out, unfortunately.

I would say it is better to blood these kids now, will do them good for when it is time to step up next year. Look at the year Elliot has had. If he was with leeds, Saints, Wigan then sky would be messing their pants in excitement. James was doing really well until his unfortunate injury.
Addy looks good, Wardle the other week was good, Crossley... give them more time, gain experiance and prepare for the future

Excellent post, and something we should all bear in mind. Yes we are on a terrible losing run, but then we do get to watch the likes of these fledgling talents amongst whom there will surely be some big names of the not-too-distant-future. I know there are those who strangely mock the rebuilding process, but just where did Whitehead, Donaldson, Addy, Wardle, etc come from? Plus we have at least George Burgess waiting in the wings for next season. I agree Whitehead is starting to look exceptional, but also I think Kopczak is still progressing. And (a bit exagerrated) but didn't no lesser pundit than Clarke bill Donaldson as potentially the world's best?



I hate losing as much as most people, and the current run of defeats is bad, but watching our young talent isn't.

^^ Is my take on it too.

Another point to remember is that youngsters develop and mature at different rates. I'm referring here to Koppy, who, although didn't burst on to the scene all guns blazing, is for me developing in to a good player to have around!

I for one did not think Koppy was going to make it. Even this year he's just not looked as good as many would expect him to be by now considering he's got about 70 first team games under his belt. However, the last couple of games he has really stepped it up and particularly the Hull game, he started to look like he was using his size and really making some yards. If he keeps on like that, he could make it after all. I've certainly got a lot more hope for him in the last couple of weeks than I ever have.

The youngsters have been exceptional this year. It's been a pleasure to watch them. Pity about some of the others.

Spot on FA. Watching the youngsters improving is the best bit of being a Bull right now. The more I see of them the more I feel confident of the future.

Things is he's not had anywhere near 70 first teams games when you look at the number of mins he's been on the field. I often wonder what the point is of having on the field for a couple of 15min stints while Lynch and Scruton run themselves into the ground. It doesn't serve anyone.

It's not surprising that given more gametime he's improved, but this has been a side effect of having to do without Lynch and Scruton due to injury. It's not been part of a some masterplan.

It must be hard for front rowers to get into the game when they're constantly on and off the field but a young kid who's only getting short stints is going to take a lot longer to learn and develop.