No comment on the Walker situation. But the offical line from Odsal seems to be one of a happy squad ready for the new season

[url=http://www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/news/4488/AIR%20OF%20OPTIMISM%20AT%20GRATTAN%20STADIUMLink[/url

No no its that new fragrance from Fabreeze!

I've just realised I've mis-spelled optimism in the thread title.

Would a nice mod change it please?

I'm sure as the author of the thread you can do it

You are correct on that score

A very senior club hierarch (that rules out Duffy...

)told me a couple of weeks ago that the club were genuinely optimistic and excited about the new signings (this was pre-Orford). They know they have to lay the ghost of 2009 to bed on the park from the start of next season - nothing else will do - and he said the start of next season can't come soon enough.

And know what? I believe him.

You've been talking to Sergio (He's ground security etc)

I have an air of optimism I just hope it's justified



Living in L*eds for the past three years has been murder, I can't take anymore of this constant grief

I would be very confident if we had just 1 more quality back, either a centre or winger. Ive got a really good feeling about Brett Kearney playing alongside Matt Orford though.

I just have a really good feeling



Even though we have lost Sam I feel if we blood the youngsters like Whitehead, Donaldson and possibly even one of the Burgesses we should be potentially looking really strong.

That said I do agree one more quality centre.............

The feelings definitely transferring onto a few of us lot. Can't wait for us to get stuck in to 2010

I'm feeling optimistic but then I am more of a glass half full person

Im more optomistic than a week ago, like others think we're a centre short cos i shot the sheriffe needs a better defensive centre than sykes inside him. dont think anyone's come up with this back line.

1 reardon
2 sheriffe
3 kearney
4 nero
5 halley
6 sykes
7 orford

just a thought!
By the way i think its our pack that might struggle next season.hope not.

Kearney at centre ???

Mine would be :

Halley
Reardon
Sykes
Nero
Sheriffe
Kearney
Orford

If Kearney isn't going at 6 then move Sykes there and put Kearney at FB with Halley shifting to wing :

Kearney
Reardon
Platt
Nero
Sheriffe
Sykes
Orford


Or if it needs shifting again :

Reardon
Halley
Sykes / Platt
Nero
Sheriffe
Kearney
Orford


We've got a lot more flexibility in the backs than we have in recent years, which is something i've been looking forward to.

What do people think is a reasonable expectation in the first 10 games? 5/10 8/10 or no losses

Agreed, there is flexibilty which can me maximised but Kearney must play FB to maximise his attacking potential and defensive organisation.
Have you not unfaily discounted Crookes as young gun in the centrer?

I expect him to fill in in a few games, but I can't see him getting a big run of games unless there are some major injuries (I hope not) or when he gets the chance he sets the world alight. I'm not discounting him, I just think his big season will be 2011.

I am more optimistic about the coming season with the signing of Orford.
The control of the game starts in his position and he damn good at this.
If he can bring our backs into play in space it will enhance their confidence and effectiveness.
An already experienced link between LeStrange and Orford, and possibly Menzies depending on his position (maybe LF? ) will hit the ground running.

Most interesting line in that article:

"It will be confirmed next week that we're at Odsal for the whole of the season"

Does that mean the new Odsal site isn't going ahead as planned?

Edit: Just noticed the same thing in the OSV thread, sorry mods

I take it that we will be playing at Odsal next season as expected.
What other inference can you take from this?