bit harsh on Joe Lumb. Didnt think he looked too out of place in gametime he got. biggest problem was his lack of size but a year on would have expected him to have developed a bit. Think in an ideal world Smith would prefer to sign another more physical no 9 to complement O'B and Lumb as if anything there a bit too similar in style and both on small side but unless we can move on some of remaining deadwood were probaby very limited budget wise.

Right now I'd still put Lumb in my 17 (see previous page) so it wasn't meant as a dig at him. But having only two hookers in any squad is always risky.
I think if we had landed that aussie hooker, Lumb might have been one of the players to go out on loan. Like you say, he needs a bit more time to develop but there is certainly some promise there.

John Kear on Phil Joseph:

"I think he could also play as an edge player but he's certainly very good as a rotation hooker.

"We've used Phil there as well with Wales and it means you don't necessarily have to have a hooker on the bench.

"Having Phil in there gives you flexibility in your selection and that's great as a head coach."

Clearly the Aussie hooker was preferable, but if we want a hooker with a more physical presence during a game, we have the man. Anybody trying the sort of treatment AOB has suffered without any intervention from the refs will know what a retaliatory accidental slip up the arm high tackle from him will feel like. Once they have put their head back on their neck.

News from Fev

Roche has agreed personal terms, he will join Bulls pending a meeting this week, will start training at the end of November, if all works out fine which it should!

Just some registration issues to sort out, Fev are on thin line with the RFL player welfare after this situation (not paying some players)

He will most likely be announced in late November.

Isn't Halafihi still with us?

Yes but when was the last time he made it anywhere near the starting 17? I'd expect him to be one of the players Rohan is trying to send out on loan.

Oo, oo.

Maybe our pack deficiencies could be solved by Stuart Howarth!



Said no-one.

Ever.

It's not what he's been told.

Nowt much on telly so I'm watching some player highlights videos on Bulls TV and one thing stands out.

Christ we're gonna have some pace with Moss, Caro, Clare, Ryan and Macani! And Welham is no slouch either.

Quote from Smith regarding Olbison from website:

“That position (middle of the field) is Tom’s primary role now and he’s really got his head around how to play that role in attack and defence and he’s worked out how to contribute best there.

“There will still be an opportunity, here or there, where he might play on the edge but he’ll primarily play in the middle of the field.”

Seems to me he's definitely the new Langley.

Looks potentially pretty exciting doesn't it. We played some excellent stuff in the Championship Shield when Chisholm, Moss and O'Brien really got going. Add Leon into the mix and a much bigger more powerful looking pack and we could be quite a destructive side.

If Roche is our final addition we are looking pretty strong in the pack.

I'd like Ryan Bailey too for a bit of experience and aggression but maybe that's being too greedy.

Even though he's a c*nt?

Yeah, I don't particularly like Gareth Hock but he was pretty effective for Leigh last year and I think Bailey could bring something similar to our team.

Our nearest thing to a forward with a bit of niggle/nastiness was Haggerty and he's gone.

However it's probably immaterial if we can't move anyone else on and Roche is the last signing as alluded to by Rohan.

Have we confirmed our season games yet other than Keighley? I wouldn't be surprised to see a trip to Huddersfield for Robinsons testimonial plus Batley to be our other two

maybe best not to get too excited about caro yet. piece in T&A that he may be allowed to leave to play sevens for jamaica.

Aye, I saw that too. Ross obviously saw my post and thought he'd better start the murmurs going. But hey at least Campbell is fighting for a wing spot! Yeah, him. Remember? No, me neither.

Funnily enough I heard Caro in the list of absentees during BCB radio coverage of a couple of the later games. The only other name mentioned yet to have a proper rumour is Thomas.

Caro is going to Jamaica to play 7s as confirmed at the BullBuilder quiz night.

He'll be back in pre season training with us afterwards.

Ross'sarticle went a bit further and said if jamaica progressed in tournament then bulls were prepared to release him permanently.

Well maybe. As things stand he'll be coming back. 7s for Jamaica doesn't sound like a regular salary to live on to me but I don't know much about the 7s circuit.

What do we think of Caro? He's a decent finisher IMO and very quick when he winds up. Think his rather distracted manner is a bit of a hindrance to him as it can make him look a bit like he's not bothered.

For a big lad I think he could make a bit more of an impact physically. He seems to get tackled rather easily for my liking.

He's great in the air attacking a cross field kick.

Think Ryan's progress and Macani being signed probably means someone is on their way eventually from our wingers. I'd say probably Campbell or Caro by the sound of it.

I'd have said campbell is most likely one we'd try to ease out. Assuming clare is going to be used in then I'd have put ryan and caro as first choice with macani/campbell as backup.

Given our pack is still a bit light I'd see Caro as a useful player to help out with those tough carries from the wing even if he is a bit of a wet lettuce taking the ball up sometimes.

I think Caro actually makes decent yards after the collision. The lack of data gathered from champ games continues to frustrate me so unfortunately we can't really back our opinions up with any solid data. It's funny how some people think the exact opposite though.
We don't make the most of his height anywhere near enough. Attacking kicks to his wing were few and far between last season. He also seems to be terrified of the touchline, which is not an ideal trait for a winger to have.

Still, I'd give the starting wing spots to Ryan and Caro at this moment in time. If Macani wants a run out he has to earn it.

I get the feeling Clare is first choice winger and Smith sees his centres as Welham and Foster.

There's also Ross Oakes to throw into that mix. Perhaps he's seen more as a Centre, but still...

I agree either, on maybe even both, of Caro and Campbell would seem surplus to requirements. It does make it puzzling why Caro was handed a new contract soon after Rohan arrived. Perhaps Mr Ferres can be blamed for that (and why not

)

I understand Caro's downside but I can't help but like him. He can be quite light on his feet for a big bloke and has taken defenders out with a step more than once and, I suppose he's got to be, considering his height, but he's good in the air too - and we've lost out to opponents in that department far too often for my liking. He's also a bit quick and you can't coach that.