O'Brien was coming on in dribs and drabs under Cummins as he was only getting the occasional spell in games. When Lowes came in and started asking the young lad to put in 80 minute shifts the difference was clearly noticeable. You can't improve unless you're playing and O'Brien can run for 80 minutes. In the modern game the hooker is essentially another half back rather than a forward, so why should we need to spell him, especially as we're playing against part-time teams nearly every week? This is the best season for him to really bed in to that number 9 role as he's got the space to make mistakes and learn from them. Doubly so when you remember we've got both Lowes and Diskin on the coaching staff. If the lad's smart he'll be picking their brains every chance he gets

Nobody's saying he isn't a quality player BUT he got beat up by HKR and I'm sorry but he isn't consistent over 80 mins week in week out.

Who ever we play at 9 is likely to be the smallest forward. We have other options and we need to gauge their ability so I would give them a go in the 'easier' games. If we become secure in 2nd place then I would be looking at resting our key playmakers for the occasional game. They have a break coming up and maybe that will be a massive benefit to some.
As for Sammut, I don't see him as a particularly good option at this time and not sure we need him. Gareth O'brien would be just right.

Really!!?? I think he's been by far our most consistent player. For a player who got best up by HKR, he got singles out by their coah and fans as a stand out performer for us.

What I will say is I hope Jimmy doesn't burn him and Gaskell out. I would like to think after the Whitehaven game Jimmy gives them a week off to refresh physically and mentally. Gaskell has taken knocks the last few games where he has been in clear discomfort with his wristand shoulder.

I actually worry more about AoB getting an injury than I do Gaskell. Lee could quite easily play a full 80 minutes without taking a tackle if he wanted to. He would still be able to dictate our attacking structure, distribute the ball and look after our kick plays without any major physical contact. Add to this the fact that he is defending out wide and the physical aspect of the game is certainly reduced.
It's only when they start running with ball in hand and taking defenders on themselves that things get tricky. Which is exactly what happened to Siejka.

Adam, on the other hand, is defending up the middle of the pitch and goes through a ton of work defensively. His runs from dummy half and attempts to crash over the try line from close range almost always result in heavy collisions. He is far more likely to pick up a knock than Lee in my opinion and I'm not convinced about any of our back up hooking options. I would like to see Nathan Conroy get some game time once he is back from Oxford, his size will definitely be an issue but he looked nippy the last time I saw him play.
One other option could be Dave Petersen. Not really sure what to expect from this guy, but his highlight video seemed to demonstrate someone with a high work rate. I'm hoping he turns out to be a player in a similar mold to James Donaldson, and by that I mean someone who will tackle anything that moves.

Is it possible that O'Brien may be rested before the play-off's but at the moment Jimmy is playing him every game to toughen him up both mentally and stamina wise. Then give him one or two weeks off later to freshen him up. I also think he is becoming as important than any half back. When Jimmy was asked about the awesome foursome his answer was " I made them awesome". That tells you not only what Jimmy thought of himself but how important the role of a dummy half is - hookers don't exist any more.

When I read about Wire signing the new player I immediately thought about the future of GOB with Patton now taking his place. Maybe a loan for rest of season could be an option as we did Wire a favour letting him stay with them without any fuss. Maybe Smith could point this out to him and suggest coming to us would help him in the same way Gaskell seems to have gained a new lease of life. Rather this than a wildly overrated Sammut.

The only problem with bringing in someone else is if the Bulls actually do believe Seika has the ability to grow into being a very good organising scrum half then what would another signing do to his confidence. If they do think he will make it then I agree with not getting someone else in and wait these few more weeks till he is back. Basically, back Seika or sack him.

https://twitter.com/jackmcc31/status/598155177452011520 Caught on camera?

https://twitter.com/jackmcc31/status/598155177452011520 Caught on camera?

I suspect Jimmy is saying "sorry Jarrod we have to many bad Mullets in the Squad already!"

Bulls TV are suggesting they'll be some sort of announcement tomorrow evening.

I wonder if this is Sammut resigning.

That's what I thought too.

Where are you guys looking? I can't see anything suggesting an announcement?

Quote ="Nothus"Where are you guys looking? I can't see anything suggesting an announcement?'" @OfficialBullsRL: BULLSTV will be the place to be this time tomorrow! Subscribe: t.co/tf4AX7Bb5e - and stand by for action.

Quote ="Nothus"Where are you guys looking? I can't see anything suggesting an announcement?'" @OfficialBullsRL: BULLSTV will be the place to be this time tomorrow! Subscribe: t.co/tf4AX7Bb5e - and stand by for action.

Quote ="dddooommm"@OfficialBullsRL: BULLSTV will be the place to be this time tomorrow! Subscribe: t.co/tf4AX7Bb5e - and stand by for action.'" Just seen that, cheers.

Quote ="dddooommm"@OfficialBullsRL: BULLSTV will be the place to be this time tomorrow! Subscribe: t.co/tf4AX7Bb5e - and stand by for action.'" Just seen that, cheers.

I believe we have definately signed Sammut for next season, but I can't understand how they can agree terms when we don't know which league we will be playing in.

I know how much he's supposedly on at Wakefield and if we get back to Super League he won't be on as much and if we stay in the championship it will probably be about half what he's on now.

Does Lowes already know we are needing a new half back regardless of what league we are in?

Maybe it to replace Gaskell if rumours are true

Contract extension for a prop I've heard. No name given though. Maybe Sidlow?

If true can only be sidlow or clough maybe mellor if you class him as a prop

Maybe he just wants get back to enjoying rugby again and willing to take a pay cut.

If it is a prop extension of be pretty happy. Clough is on 2 years anyway so could be Sidlow.

I remember when Wakefield signed Sammut, Michael Carter actually said that they were actually saving money by signing him and releasing Lee Smith, so either Lee was massively overpaid or Jarrod isn't on as much as you might think.
I guess Steve, Marc and Jimmy will already have budgets prepared for both possible outcomes once this season is over and they will know how much we can offer to Jarrod (if the rumours are true).

I have to say, I think appointing Steve Ferres has been one of the best decisions Marc has made since he joined the club. Considering the state of our squad when he came in, combined with the effects of being relegated, I think he has done an amazing job building the squad we have now. As long as Steve is still at the club, I think our playing squads will be well looked after, so I'm not too anxious about rumours of players leaving etc.

Jeez....that didn't last long - they haven't even officially announced that he's signed yet, and already he's going to resign!! That must be less time at the club than Mickey Higham did before we sold him to Wigan and got Terry Newton....

Probably not a signing. Best guess it'll be something about the Blackpool weekend

Hmmm, interesting. A poster on the wakey forum seems to think we have signed a player from another championship club.

I have a nagging feeling Catalan may re-sign Baile as they seem to have a few players out in the backs.

I'd be very unhappy if that was the case!

TBF his post was a bit puzzling, it could be he was on about Wakey signing somebody from the Championship.

Nah it seems like that poster was correct.