Some of our homegrown guys have stalled, purely because of the lack of development having SL intensity every week brings. Although coaching comes into it as well. I have been worried about Mellor this season but Rohan I think sees potential & should get his development back on track. Too late for Olbison though. Which is a shame.

Was very refreshing reading that T&A article. Sounds like Smith is going to be ruthless and isn't going to show the the kind of blind loyalty that Jimmy showed to certain players.
i think some players are going to have the shock of their lives pre-season.

Totally agree with this. In his junior days John played 6 or 13 or even fullback, once in the first team was used as a battering ram and we didnt see anything like what Wigan are now with him, try scoring and creating etc. For me Bradford have always fallen foul of wanting to bulk young lads up, John has stripped right down at Wigan. also see Jamie Langley line breaking international back row to workhorse due to putting too much size on

Most of our juniors of the past 10 years have gone on to greater things when they’ve moved. IMO that’s been down to the lack of stability in the club over this period. We’ve also had a lot of inexperienced head coaches (apart from Potter) in that time. I remember Whitehead and Olbison coming through and looking good before either stagnating or developing bad habits. I remember saying at the time if you bring young players into a first team that is poor quality and cuts corners then they’ll start doing the same before long.

Rohan Smith comes with a reputation for being good at developing young talent so maybe this trend will come to an end now – provided we stay afloat.

I'm surprised we're not offering Olbison a new deal tbh. He's not a flair player but at the same time I can't really remember him doing anything wrong or having a particularly bad game either.
He's a very dependable second rower in my opinion, and is also home grown so we should be keeping him I think.
He came off the bench against Halifax on Sunday and made great yards, more than most.

Ah well, just have to trust Rohan I suppose. As long as it was a managerial decision and not a financial one.

Do we have confirmation yet that we're swapping squads with London?

Blame Paul Medley for that if you weren't 18 stone and over 6 foot you weren't getting recommend by him.

Seems that way. Will never forget johns debut for Dudley hill open age 1st team at 16 came on at full back and tore Stanley to shreds, created game squalling try to take challenge cup game to extra time. Played the week after at stand off scored and created loads, a lot of us were shocked the way he was used at the bulls

After hearing who might be in the squad for Sunday I'm quite looking forward to it.
Keyes debut, possible Bentley debut, and Clark and Lumb both back from injury.

Also, more 2017 squad news. Blythe linked with a return to Warrington!

John Bastian and his team have been really impressed by James Bentley of late. He's really come on. Same as Ross Oakes. These lads are hoping to put in a huge pre season and get in the 17 next season.

I've heard Blythe has got a deal at Warrington. Surprising. Good luck to him. For all his many brain farts he never hides away and shows more enthusiasm than many of the rest of the side put together.

Well there really is absolutely no reason not to play some of them in games like the one coming up on Sunday. I'm hoping we see both Bentley and Oakes, there's no reason playing Blythe and Purtell is injured so get Oakes in at centre.

Does anybody reckon that Cameron Scott will be promoted to the first team squad next season?

I doubt it. He's not played any U19s yet.

Still too small physically for open age.

well Blythes now gone. Can't understand Warrington signing him.

Ross thinks there's more business still to come between the 2 clubs. With most of our big name players already signed for other clubs, I expect it be players coming to us.

Obviously Ben Evans has been rumoured and so has Joe Philbin.I think we've done the better bit of business.

Richie Mathers !!!!!!

Is this some sort of RL related tourette's?

Won't complain if we get Philbin and Evans in return for Blythe

Heck, I'd settle for Philbin OR Evans in return for Blythe

Evans is a good forward

I like how our squad is shaping up for next season with the juniors and rumoured signings. Philips and Evans would be great captures.

Well, going by the T&A today [url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbulls/14694913.Smith_rebuilding_with_trimmed_down_squad_ahead_of_mass_exodus/Link[/url we certainly need to add to it in terms of forwards. At least 2 new props (preferably 3) a loose forward and a quality centre are needed.

That is an interesting article and lays bare the squad. With a touch of honesty from Rohan Smith too; some were decided before he arrived, some were simply to save money.

Without wanting to circle Sheffield like vultures, there are a number of players we could offer a reasonable - cut our cloth accordingly - lifeline to.

I'd especially think Matt James could come and do a job in the forwards once again, a former home grown player and Champ established forward.

And of course I think we'd all like to see roger get his wish if things don't turn around in the short term.

Definitely need some props, hopefully Magrin and Evans both sign up which would give us Sidlow, Kavanagh, Evans, Magrin and Kirk. Still at least one more needed after that imo.

As for our centres, I want Welham and Clare to get the 3 and 4 shirts. Oakes for backup, Mellor can also fill in if needed.

Loose forward is a tricky one. Do you go for pure bulk and ignore the handling skills? Or maybe you just get a tackling machine like Donaldson was? No names are immediately springing to mind - hopefully Rohan can use his contacts in Aus to bring over one or two more gems like Moss.

Foster could be the 13. Think he's a tackling machine. Think remember a game in SL he made 40 tackles and missed none. Would like to see Philbin back. Think he'd go well as a bigger 13.

They'll be a couple of signings no one saw coming like Moss.

See how Macani goes today against Leeds

Haggerty for 13. You watch him playing, in his head he thinks he's Paul Sculthorpe.