Taking away those 6 young lads, that still gives us a squad of 22. So if we've a strong 17, then 5 guys pushing for spots in that 17. Then you've got the 6 junior lads learning their craft and, hopefully, getting a spot in the side to help their development.

That works fine until we get a few injuries!

I'm not overly concerned though. Ferres promised a smaller sways for this season, and look how that turned out...

Well its Marc greens money so I'm guessing he has taken player recruitment away fro.m Steve Ferres. We should be able to stay full time with a smaller squad. Sadly this common sense has taken nearly two years to sink in.

He probably meant we will have 28, and then tjere are the other 16 we are going to sign and send out on loan.The biggest leap forward we could make is to send Ferret back to the RFL.

In terms of stretching the playing budget, I think Ferres has done a good job. A 30+ squad with an average age in the mid 20's with a good amount of SL and NRL experience across the board with a championship salary cap is impressive. What's not so, is that there does seem to be a lot of deadwood in the side along with unnecessary signings such as Lovegrove, Mathers & Campbell. I think it's more a case that Ferres sources have dried up some what in terms of decent player retention, but with the addition of Rohan Smith, that's not really an issue as he seems to have a lot of contacts both here and in Australia so hopefully we'll see a better, leaner and more balanced side for next year

Ferres knows full well we need a smaller squad - he actually said we were going to get one this season, just before a signing spree which gave us even more than last year. Hopefully, a squad with fewer members should be of higher average quality and lead to better results. The recruits since Rohan arrived certainly suggest that will be the case.

The good thing is that all those, 'daft', two year deals for players who barely ever played will have ended by November, so we go forward afresh and with, hopefully, some powder dry in case of emergencies.

Haven't the vast majority of fans spent the season moaning we've too big a squad. Now its we've too small a squad.

For me this is the perfect solution. Get a Stronger 17. 6 or 7 players to provide depth. Then some of our extremely talented academy lads get a crack when we have an injury crisis.

Look how well Ethan Ryan and Joe Lumb did when got given a chance.

who is signed on for next year? Pitts, Walshaw and Olbison are ooc this year I believe. I've not seen anything about those.

Apart from anything else we will need a full time squad when we win the Middle 8's and qualify for SL.

Well, there's the thing isn't it

Announcing that we have the squad sorted at this stage assumes we are fairly certain which division we are going to be playing in next season.

And its a fair assumption that it won't be SL

Wether we are in SL or CL next season I would be pretty happy with Moss, Pryce, Chisholm playing In their preferred positions.

It is important however that one team gets promoted otherwise it will confirm people's suspicions about P&R. Perhaps the new salary cap has now levelled the playing field for those that can afford it i.e. Leigh.

Leigh have now signed tickle, dawson and brown. Looks like Derek is going for it.

I disagree on that for one simple reason - if one team does manage to overcome the big odds against [and if one did, I'd definitely suggest that Leigh, with their money is no object backer, would be it it would do everyone else a disservice by giving the impression that the current system is, 'workable', when it's not.

Anything which detracts from a position where the RFL feels it must do something to create a [iproper[/i promotion system, irrespective of whether it is straight P&R or some sort of licensing format, is just bad for future of RL imo. Having a 'money no object backer' should never be the criterion on which promotion depends as it prevents virtually every single [non-SL club from [iever[/i being promoted.

The P&R comments are interesting, but sadly OT, as whatever system it is, it won't be relevant to The Amateurs Formerly Known As Bradford Bulls, RIP

Next year has been cancelled due to lack of interest.

I have been an ardent supporter of this club for an long time will never support another team, however, enough is enough. I won't be wasting my fuel on going to see the rest of the games this season and won't be getting a season ticket next year. Sorry to say Bull's are all talk, and no action.

how do the club sell tickets for the championship shield? How many walk up fans will turn up for bulls v swinton??

his much do you think Green will sell season tickets for next year?

Not many, I've got a season ticket and I doubt a drive to Odsal will be high on my list of priorities. I might be more inclined to go if I see the team sheet reflecting the team for next year or perhaps the future of the club be given a run out.

More a question of how much you would be willing to pay for one?

Most be a real risk of doing a York

Super League prices for a Super League standard team.



Marc Green has some very difficult decisions to make.

I feel sorry for Green. He has been badly advised. We had the money to get a proper squad and coach but too little too late, plus squandered too much too often.

problem with the Champion Shield is it means nothing except for the 2 teams that finish bottom (relegation)...Bradford and fax already have too many points to avoid that.......it seems a very poor way to finish a season

I was going to ask how the Coconut Shield works, but then realized that I actually couldn't give a monkey's fart. It seems to me that it serves as a great opportunity for certain players to reflect on where their lack of application - and I don't just mean today, not by ANY means - has got them.