And don't give me any of this "no disrespect to Doncaster" crap; it is not being disrespectful to them to point out that they are by a distance the worst team in the division. To concede 36 points against them is simply unacceptable. It was one of those days when one of your targets should be to concede nil.

I agree that the defence today was very poor. I think there were a few reasons, complacency being the first. Secondly the team we faced was not only motivated by playing "their cup final". (as some have commented ) but also a significantly different team to that which has been hammered in past weeks. The Hull players made a big difference ( especially Abdull) and the introduction of Groat seemed to give them heart. Certainly the Dons fans I spoke to noticed a massive improvement but at the same time commented that we were the best team they had seen. I'm not sure what injuries we had but to me Baille Walker and Pitts were either crocked and off for the duration or playing on with an injury.
I stayed to watch the Sheffield game and I hope nobody in our squad or among our fans are complacent about next weeks game. Aston has them playing an open but relatively error- free style of rugby which utilises a quick mobile pack and fast running backs. In defence Their forwards compensate for their lack of size by slowing down the play the ball . It's not as blatant as some other teams but done pretty cleverly and on the margin of legality.Their halves support and scheme well.
If we defend as poorly next week we will come a cropper.
However if pack plays as it can we should be much stronger up front .Ferguson Clough Pitts and Sidlow should put us on the front foot and O'Brien can take advantage around the ruck.
I'd hope all or some of Blythe Purtell Williams and Mullaney are playing next week.

It wasn't all bad. The Chicken Balti Pukka Pies were top class.

Was not at the game yesterday, but looking forward to the Sheffield game. The worry is analysing some simple stats, that looking at the score against us yesterday. The score Sheffield put on fax and factoring in Leighs win over us, plus scoring differential (Noun) and a poor showing against Batley is uncomfortable and concerning. The reasons given are over training. We have a fitness and conditioning coach, why was that the case then? Also a hard game against KR last week, so what!! So we could not play SL teams week in week out? Best look out next week.

Jimmy is slipping a bit I think. Last season he came in on short notice and made a huge impact.

I wonder if Karl is a bad influence and steering Jimmy away from his own ideas and development. Nothing against Mr Harrison, the Fax supporters were not unhappy to see him leave.

Some of them were pretty chuffed that not only had he buggered off but that he'd come to Bradford. As they saw it he'd damage us by his presence.

I think Harrison had probably been there too long and gone stale.

They hardly seem to be doing much better without him though.

Defences definitely weren't on top. We were very poor in defence and I'm not really sure Jimmy's mea culpa about 'flogging' the team through the week fully holds water - we didn't seem to look too tired on attack did we?

That said, it's a long season and nothing is decided in this early portion other than 'pecking order' for the eights, and even that doesn't actually seem to give any discernible advantage to the highest placed club. I though Donny were definitely up for the game, so well played to them [except their defence... for standing up, as for us, well let's just say there are bigger fish to fry and more important games to be 'up for' when the real season starts.

We have GPS this year, for the first time, during preseason training & matches. A little bit of the blurb - ". GPS is used specifically for analyzing physiological demands on players, fatigue during game, and is used for rehabilitation and injury prevention."

This is the sort of thing that the coaches should be aware of & the analyst needs to be telling them. A bit of a disconnect between the new technology & the coaches perhaps?

That's really interesting



To go with a theme of modern sport. The player focus in psychology, using things like Johari Window and S.W.O.T analysis perhaps. We have to move into areas untapped to be the best at what the player can be.

For anyone interested, the FULL MATCH from yesterday is currently up on youtube. Easy enough to find, no idea how long it will stay up for though. Not linking directly for obvious reasons.

Doncaster fan visiting, I believe you are the 2nd best team we've played, in fact on a par with Leigh, the side we fielded yesterday haven't played together this season, and we have recruited personel in the last 2 weeks, and we looked 100% better than in any other game, I am confident we will go a winning run shortly and maybe put your performance into perspective. I believe a few of your squad were expecting an easier time of it and got caught off guard, especially when Mat Groat and Mitch Clark came off the bench.

With what you have described. You should be pleased with what's happening at Donny. Your team put 36 past us, the only team to do that in the Championship is Leigh. We will meet again in 6 weeks so should be interesting.

I hope you had brown sauce.

The last time a Bradford fan went to watch their team at Donny there was all kinds of fuss.

Y'know, I was only thinking on the way to Donny yesterday that, whilst I could remember going there a few times in the past, the last occasion was so far back in the mists of time, I really couldn't remember where the game was played. It was so far back it must have been Tattersfield but I can't remember which other grounds they've used since then.

Quote ="Bulliac"Y'know, I was only thinking on the way to Donny yesterday that, whilst I could remember going there a few times in the past, the last occasion was so far back in the mists of time, I really couldn't remember where the game was played. It was so far back it must have been Tattersfield but I can't remember which other grounds they've used since then.'" www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seaso ... mmary.html

Quote ="Bulliac"Y'know, I was only thinking on the way to Donny yesterday that, whilst I could remember going there a few times in the past, the last occasion was so far back in the mists of time, I really couldn't remember where the game was played. It was so far back it must have been Tattersfield but I can't remember which other grounds they've used since then.'" www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seaso ... mmary.html

I know people keep mentioning giving OB a rest,

but is it just me that thinks Halafihi is a waste of a bench spot ???

Everytime he comes on he looks knackered before he even does anything, pretty weak at tackling & not very quick from dummy half.

At first i thought it may be down to lack of game time but other players that come in dont look that bad

The trouble is, because of the silly rules about age limits on the reserve grade, Halafihi isn't getting any game time. Nor are any of the other players who don't make the 17 on Sunday afternoons.
It's because the RFL are trying to force clubs to spread their talent around through loans and dual reg deals rather than allow teams to run a proper reserve team.

Good point!

You have just given me (yet another) reason why I really don't like the people who "administrate" our game

Tbh didn't think halafihi looked that bad. Wasn't really sure what position he was playing as Pitts and were in centres by time he came on and obrien stayed on. Seemed like OB and Vila were alternating between hooking and loose forward.

It's not been reserve grade since 2010 it's just a purely a under 19's competition.

We need to bring back A teams.

There's one for ya

Agree totally, they should never have been abandoned imo.

BA could be a useful impact prop. We could have problems getting him on a plane to away games at Catalans tho.

Sorry to bring this topic back from the dead, but I am on a hunt for a picture taken post match.

Was anyone on here in The Railway pub (next to Doncaster rail station), after the match? You were sat near the door and enforced a photograph opportunity upon me.

If it was you and you still have it, I would really appreciate a copy of the pic.

Cheers