I think the Widnes game is a really tricky and difficult game. But one we need to bounce back an win. Widnes have certainly surprised me so far considering how much stick their own fans were giving them in preseason. They seem to have a good scoring threat have scored 40 plus points twice in their 5 league games which averages 32 per game. You have to take into account the home games they have had and teams they've faced in comparison but they do pose and attacking threat and put points on the board.

In comparison Bradford have an average of 19.6 points per game, granted we've faced the harder fixtures. But think it also points out, that I don't think we ask enough questions of defences when we attack and highlights we don't have much creativity either. I think our defence has won us games more than our attack has, but you won't win many and put yourself under pressure with an average of 19.6 points. Our points difference is -5 which is the worst in the top 7 with Toulouse and Swinton below us with better points difference. We've failed to score more than 20 points in 3 of those 5 games an lost 2, 3 out 6 if you count the 12 points in the CC defear against Widnes.

So it will be really interesting and crucial to see what EO comes up with for squad and team selection so that we pose an attacking threat as Widnes will definitely score points looking at their game so far.

League results and points difference for both sides below. PF (Points For) PA (Points Against) PD ( Points Difference)

Bradford Bulls

Wakefield 42-12 Bradford
Bradford 29-10 Halifax
Fev 14-24 Bradford Bulls
Bradford 19-12 Toulouse
York 25-14 Bradford

PF +98 PA -103 PD -5

Widnes 44-8 Barrow
Widnes 28-10 Swinton
Dewsbury 6-24 Widnes
Widnes 40-14 Halifax
Featherstone 32-24 Widnes

PF +160 PA -70 PD +90

Head 2 Head 2024

Bradford 12-26 Widnes Challenge Cup.

Pivotal game this. Win and it's 4 from 6 which I think we would have all taken before a ball was kicked. Lose and it's 3 from 3, whilst not bad with the horrendous opening set of fixtures, will leave a sour taste after such a good start.

Widnes have started well and look to be playing some decent rugby. They've already beaten us this year.

Be interesting what line-up EOC goes with. With Butler and Fulton probably out, Davies needs to go back in the back-row. So either Corey Johnson fit and goes in at half, or Billy Jowitt will partner Lilley I reckon.

I wouldn't say it is must win game but we definitely need to see an improved performance after Sunday's non-starter against the Knights.

I think it's difficult to compare the 2 teams results because Widnes have had an easier opening few rounds. We've played what some have predicted to be 4 of the top 5 teams in the League (Toulouse, Fev, Wakefield & Halifax) and won 3 out of 4. Widnes have played 2 potential top 5 teams and only beaten 1 of them (Halifax). Their other victories have come against teams that probably won't challenge for the top 5 (Swinton, Dewsbury & Barrow).

In the Cup game earlier this year we were atrocious and Widnes did the simple things well and won the game. We started well on Sunday against York and then fell asleep. We gave York far too much territory and field position and lost all the momentum we'd generated over the last 3 games.

I hope we see the return of Scurr & Smith in the pack which would be a huge boost. Butler, Fulton and Hallas all sound like they will be missing after picking up knocks/HIA's during the York game so we are looking slim in that department.

I also felt that we got bullied by the York forwards and we know that Widnes will have one rather rotund forward looking to skittle some of our defenders. Our pack has to be big, aggressive and willing to take no backward step on Sunday. I'd like to see a pack of Smith, Doro, Rodgers and Scurr if all are fit and ready to play. Baldwinson cannot be too far away from returning too.

Somebody who claims to be 'in the know' stated that Tom Holmes isn't too far away from returning as well which will be a huge boost!

It's a tough one is this as Widnes totally nullified us in the cup and we looked very short of attacking ideas with Jowitt and Lilley as halfbacks. If Johnson isn't available then I'd be reluctant to move Davies out of the stand off position as we need his direction. Peposhi and Arundal can cover second row if Myers is fit to come into the centres.

Injuries are going to have an impact here as we really could do with Scurr and Smith being available or we're really struggling given we're already without Lawrence, Hallas, Fulton and Butler and haven't replaced Okoro. If Smith and Scurr and Lawrence are all out we only have Doro and Rogers available as props and no first team backup in the second row at all. Are Wilson and Green still with us?

I think Green went back a couple of weeks ago. The Toulouse game was the end of Harvey Wilsons initial month loan. But I'm unsure if that has been extended or not.

Unless Wigan want him back and given he’s played every week for us I think since he joined I expect his loan will roll weekly and continue. I think we’ve back row injuries again so I can’t see anything other than him been in the 17 this week

If Butler, Fulton and Hallas are all out that leaves a backrow of Arundal, Peposhi and Appo. Who interchanges with Appo in that scenario? One of the academy lads? Barraclough? Does Ott cover it leaving Flanagan as bench hooker?

Crazy numbers of injuries this season.

Tom Holmes looking like he's going to play which is great news

Wow really? That's brilliant news. Also gives our halves a massive boost.

https://twitter.com/OfficialBullsRL/sta ... 1326131663

https://twitter.com/OfficialBullsRL/sta ... 1326131663

Injuries to Gaskell, Lawrence, Davies, Butler, Fulton, Hallas and Smith. Scurr, Myers and Holmes back. Okoro is back with us too. I'd go with the following:

McGowan
Blackmore
Myers
Gill
Taufua
Holmes
Lilley
Doro
Souter
Rogers
Arundal
Peposhi
Appo

Ott
Scurr
Okoro
Wilson

I’d go with something similar Bullseye but start with Wilson and have Appo in the bench.
Bit worried about Holmes coming back so soon and no pre season, but our hands are tied with all these injuries.
Hope I’m wrong but I fear a similar result to last week.

Looking at the weather this morning it's going to be a forward battle, especially coming out of the Southbank end of the ground.

Horrendous game management from the Bulls in that last 10 minutes. Threw that game away.

I said it in this post we don't score enough points to put teams away then those slender leads make it more nervous. That's the 4th league game out of 6 were we have scored less than 20 points. We have a minus points difference aswell. You won't win many games with that sort of points scoring and difference. Still very early days but we played better rugby under Lee Greenwood.

Got exactly what we deserved from that.

Gilmore utterly schooled Lilley in game management and I feel Coleman taught EOC a lesson in that one.

Who ever ripped the ball on the fourth tackle when we were 13-6 up wants flogging. Lilley inexplicably passing to Holmes for the drop goal. Brian dead.
Lost count how many times they created an overlap.

We looked lethargic and had zero energy. Widnes lost a key forward in the first minute yet seemed to have all the energy.

All that hard work of beating Fev Toulouse and Fax, thrown away against York (who lost today again which shows how poor they are) and Widnes.

Pretty frustrating afternoon. Did alot right after a poor first 20 minutes and probably the better side performance wise over the 80 minutes.

We find ourselves 7 points ahead and give away possession with incorrect play the ball and a ball steal on halfway - absolute coach killers. Not helped by officials who seemed unable to spot a forward pass unless it came out of a Bradford hand - but we know what we get from that ref so the players have to do better.

Bit of pressure on the Swinton game now, losing 3 on the bounce would be massively disappointing. Hopefully a few bodies fit again as the constant changes in personnel doesn't help.

Yeah we mucked that one up completely. Missed our leaders today. Last 10mins should serve as the perfect example of how not to see a game out.

Bright spots were Doro who was immense, Blackmore, Scurr and Souter. Not sure how Lilley got man of the match think they were watching a different game.

Was a bit flummoxed by our use of subs. Okoro barely played, same for Peposhi and Ott. We were outplayed in the first 30mins and it took the introduction of Souter, Appo and Scurr for us to get some go forward.

Rogers looks about a stone too heavy and it's reduced his effectiveness, he's not the player he was at the end of last season.

Our kicking game was crap again today apart from the chip for the Holmes try from Lilley. We're really missing Gaskell in the dept.

Nice to see Holmes back and Scurr.

Typical Bradford thinking they are the dogs dangles after 3 wins only to get shown up in games they should have won 3 wins should have been 5.

Don't really see our performances vs York and Widnes as being down to complacency. Think it's more down to ability and lack of experience in key positions. We've missed our experienced players who've been out injured and it really showed today when we had a 7 point winning margin with less than 10 mins to go and blew it.

Agree Bullseye. I think yesterday showed how much we missed the likes of Lawrence. He gets some unfair stick for maybe not being as explosive as a Scurr or Doro, but I don't think we'd have lost yesterday if we had him on the field.