After the last 2 encounters between us and Leigh it would seem crazy not to pick it.

As far as picking games with at least 1 SL side involved... how ridiculous

Not really, that's all that Sky pay the money for

Am I right in thinking sky took the rights to show championship games away from premier sports?? Yet they have only shown the summer bash!

With news that Kelly could be done for at KR it leaves me optimistic, KR are safe and i really cant see them being dragged into a survival fight soooo, if they beat Wakey which they are more than capable of and I think they would like as it cements them on 8pts and definitely safe, i could see them then resting a couple of players against us as the week later they play Sheffield (a game they should win comfortably) and be fresh for the final match against Salford.

We could still spring an upset or 2 these next few weeks, nitty gritty is that we need to beat both Fax an Leigh if we can do that then we are going to be fighting it out but 3/4 gets us promoted and i think thats possible with who we have to play.

COYB dont let us down now.

Too many "ifs" and "but's" for me at the minute but I am enjoying the excitement that the qualifying 8's has brought to the game.

It's amazing how we went from one week where promotion looked so far away... And then in the space of 80 minutes it become so close again. Who knows what this weeks episode will bring!!

Roll on Sunday

Dont think so. Its difficult justifying resting players for a home game so close to the end of the season. With 3 home games and only Sheffield away they must have a decent chance of a 100% record in the Middle 8s.

If Kelly is out when we play them I think they will be weak missing both halves. That would be great news and gives me that little bit of confidence. We can beat Widnes. If we do, then KR without their halves would be worth watching.

Wakey are capable of beating them also. If they do, then KR would be needing two more wins to stay away from that scary one off game where anything can happen.

Hoping we are up and miss the play off game as if its Sunday 4th I will be watching the NFL in wembley

You do realise that we are currently 3 from 3 in this competition with Kelly missing all 3? We have plenty of depth in the halves with Marsh & Chisholm to come back into the team.

Surely you agree that it can't hurt our chances?!

Rangi Chase being suspended by Salford won't do our chances any harm either

The circus continues.

Hoping Halifax can beat them this weekend.

Ferres wanting a big crowd on sunday and who can blame him, one hope is that we put in a full performance to do us proud and thumping could cause all the hard work to collapse.

[urlhttp://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/13643187.Ferres_urges_lapsed_Bradford_Bulls_supporters_to_return_ahead_of_crunch_showdown/[/url

But please God not Seijka
"The Bulls will assess the fitness of Lee Gaskell, Harry Siejka and Matt Ryan ahead of Sunday's game but Jake Mullaney looks certain to feature."

You'd think the performance against Salford might encourage some extra numbers on the gate.

Ross has just tweeted that he thinks our game against Leigh is going to be televised.

I'll honestly be shocked if it isn't. A top of the M8 table clash or all-SL game is mid table mediocrity and not even slightly what it's about. Leigh v Bradford is part of the narrative of the season.

In a seven game competition today's point's difference was nothing short of a disaster. A repeat performance against HKR leaves us needing a win at Leigh to even make 5th. Lose to Leigh and we need 70+ PD against Halifax to get there.

You make it sound like 5th would be some sort of underachievement. I suspect the fantastic result against Salford possibly raised expectations a little again. I agree that the points conceded today wasn't good but it is far from a disaster. The likely scenario was always that we'd need to beat all our Championship rivals to have a crack at promotion. After picking up the win versus Salford we possibly have a chance of a home tie IF we can prove we're the best Championship side and take 2 wins from our matches with Leigh and Fax. As I said after the Salford game, still plenty for all the clubs to play for.

I'm trying to make it sound like 5th, from where we are now and with the remaining fixtures, would be an achievement.

It also depends on how Leigh's points difference ends up. They still have to travel away to Widnes, although with it being the last fixture of the seven, Widnes may already be safe and might give a few guys an early holiday.

Either way I think 5th is the best we can hope for now. So it's looking like an away trip to a SL side, an almost impossible task.

I hope we beat Leigh mate. But if safe i think a few u19s may play for experience.

Looking at remaining fixtures I doubt any of Widnes, Salford or Wakey will be safe in 3rd , although none will face automatic relegation. I can't see any being prepared to just accept 4th and the inherent dangers that brings. It should be interesting on that final weekend as it goes to the wire.

Just bumping my post from a few weeks ago in light of today's result.

Called it!

What bigger incentive do the players need now?!

Win next week and we confirm a place in the final game and ensure that Leigh stay in the Championship.