With Clough, O'Brien, Ferguson and Pitts in our pack, it is top quality. Add in likes of Olbison and Sidlow who aren't far off the others, and the likes of Mellor who is coming on loads and starting to show some real quality, and our forwards are looking really good.

Not so impressed with Fleming or Lauaki yet, though Crossley will replace one of those when he's back.

Backs looked decent today too, and I thought Adam Henry had his best game in a Bulls shirt.

Well he's been training hard, but I never thought they were [ithat[/i noticeable anyway?

Things are developing nicely. As Lowes said, it's not how you start but more how you finish........... my brother mentioned a few weeks ago that it was a slow burn. We have some very good squad members that will not make the 17. I still think Davies showed enough in the friendlies to have a big part to play but who will he displace.. The starting front row all look capable of playing big minutes. I think we will get stronger in the 2nd half of the season and arrive at the middle eights in prime condition. We have a few good tests at the right time with Eagles and Fax away and Leigh at home. I'm not resigned to coming second, although I am not sure which would be the favourable position. I suspect we will really push on and win the league.

Yes we are developing. The forwards were really good as you have pointed out. Hoping we can be more consistent, game by game. That's the measure I think at this point.

Bit worried about Lee, he was holding his arm and clenching his hand. Give him a rest. Try putting Mullally or Ulugia in there.

We can't really try Muallaly or Ulugia, one has a dodgy hamstring and the other a broken set of fingers,

Oh!! did not realise he had broken his fingers. "Muallany" Duh !

was taken off as a precaution I think Jimmy said. I really don't know then.

Yeah, good comment. It was just what we needed after the Donny match...in fact, the Donny match itself was probably just what we needed get rid of some lethargy and focus minds, so I guess you sometimes have to take a step back before moving forwards again. The trick now is to keep the mental attitude and continue improving - [iwithout regard to the quality of the opposition[/i, so no 'easy weeks' 'cos our opponents are in the bottom four. That though, I appreciate is going to be the difficult bit.

Ok, try them when fit, but suspect Mullaney won't be playing in next few weeks, precaution or not he has just missed 5 with a hamstring and clearly come back abit before he is ready. Feel free to play them though if it makes you feel better

Can we not recall Brook yet? If we can, and Gaskell is struggling, it would seem the perfect solution.

Ashton's view after the game

Looksh totally blank. Wash he pished?

“I think Bradford played the best they have all season today (Sunday),” said Aston, shortly after the full-time hooter – in his post-match press conference.

“It would certainly be very close between Bradford and Leigh, because Leigh are starting to crack.

“Bradford are going this way and Leigh another. At the moment, Leigh are probably a tad in front of them.

“But, by the end of the season, who will get promoted? I think you would probably put your house on it being Bradford.”

“It is interesting because Bradford are hitting form at the right time.

“Lee Gaskell is the best half-back in the competition, without a shadow of a doubt.

“It is credit (to Bradford) that he is still here and that they have kept him.

Dunno about 'starting to crack', but I do know it's pretty impossible to retain top form all year - there are always ups and downs in form over a season.

As for us, well I'm relaxed about our form at this stage. There are no trophies given out mid season and I'm confident we'll be around, and hopefully at our best, when the whips begin to crack..

Maybe he has got his eyes on second place.

Our early season, current, league games are just a means to an end, aren't they? There are marginal differences between the four qualifying places and yes, second seems to be the preferred option [if you get an option.. but you're in the mix if you get into the four and I'm very confident we'll do that.

How we go against the SL teams when we get there is another matter of course. They may well be a bit battered and feeling low due to having a poor season and we may be a bit cheerier due to our success but, at the end of the day, it will take an almighty effort and probably a bit of luck, and then we'll find out who cracks in the effort to get back to SL. At least, we'll then be able to say that every minute really matters...

If you want a laugh check out the thread on the Leigh board about Aston's comments.

The people of that wasteland of the terminally 5h1te are absolutely desparate for outside recognition.

Quite amusing. How dare he venture an opinion (well, that particular one). What could he possibly know about such matters. It's interesting that nobody has made a big deal of it on this forum. It would be quite amusing if they finished behind Sheffield in third.

I can't really see them finishing below the Eagles. Hopefully, from a Bulls' POV, our scratchiest form is now behind us and we're on an upward curve but, ultimately, what Leigh or Sheffield do is for them to worry about, as our own form is the one, and only, thing we have control over.

I think, because it's a month's loan not dual reg, there's no recall option.

think this weekend maybe last week of initial loan though. not sure why him and conroy were loans as opposed to dual reg. Could it be fixed term loans mean they count on oxfords salary cap rather than ours? could be a way of squeezing extra space under cap if so.

I remember reading something about them being guaranteed 4 games on the loan deal, but what it means for the salary cap I'm not sure.

I doubt Oxford could afford to pay a penny of their salary.

Nothing to stop Oxford cancelling the loan if they want.

Why would they?

No, in any case isn't the cap an annual calculation, and not like, say the overseas and non-fed quota, which potentially, may vary from time to time? Taking one month of a player's salary out wouldn't affect the annual wages bill by much, unless you were [ireally[/i sailing close to the wind.