He's one of the poorest players in the league.

I know, the poorest players in the league often get picked for England.

And you obviously know better than Tony Smith who thought Sykes had the potential to do well on the international scene.

Ha thats funny didn't see him playing against france the other week !

He's poor, I've never really rated him but he's been very poor since he was shown up in the world cup in Australia. Retaining this type of player on a 3 year deal is a sign of the times to come for Bradford I'm afraid.

And alot of poor players have played at international level, in many sports.

Not international class and now struggling at club level.

Not international class and now struggling at club level.

He'd never get a three year contract at any other club, I don't think the fact that he's home-grown is enough reason for such a long deal.

They have, but the coaches obviously see something in them at the time. I'd trust Tony Smith's opinion over anyones on this board to be quite honest.

He's not a world-class player by any means, but he's versatile and can play very well. Just needs to find some consistency.

People always go on about his world-cup showing, but switch any player numerous times in a match all around the field and he won't exactly play a blinder. I'll admit he could have done better, but there were players who got 80 minutes in their favoured positions and still didn't do too much better than Sykes.

Regardless of what it may look like to outsiders, from somebody who has seen every game he has played in a Bulls shirt, it is a good signing. From an inside p.o.v, making sure you sign up home-grown talent who are SL tested and have international experience can only be a good thing.

Where do you get the idea he's struggling? He's having a good season with Bradford apart from his last 2 showings (which the whole team played badly).



Brian Noble wanted him at the start of the season, and guess what? A man who has had alot of success as a coach wanted him on a 3 year deal. He must know nothing though??

Crusaders wanted him? I take it all back then.

I've seen him whenever the Bulls have been televised and he appears to be struggling ... particularly in the recent games. I can only go on the evidence but I'll have another look in a couple of hours.

For me Sykes is your average super league player,p155 poor.

Two passes in the last minute or so ... first one ten metres behind anyone ... got bailed out as Warrington were done for offside.

Next set, throws it straight into touch.

He still looks like he's struggling to me.

... in the interests of balance though, good break for the Halley try around the 50-minute mark.

McDermott? Alot of success as a coach? I must have missed that episode.

Sykes is playing out of position and yet trying his guts out to make things happen. I applaud the effort if not the execution.

Shouldn't be playing rugby league.

No, Brian Noble, who wanted Sykes at Crusaders.

Not straight into touch, Helly is small for a winger.


Right option, poor execution.

He had a fairly good game apart from a couple of errors.

As long as you are happy then fair enough.

As a neutral I always used to enjoy watching the Bulls, the awesome four-some, one of the best hookers in the game, half backs who could create and backs who had bags of tries in them. It seems so long ago now.

The Bulls recruitment policy over the past few seasons has been little short of shocking with class players leaving and average players replacing them (with possibly one or two exceptions).

Last seasons finishing league position and this seasons so-far are sadly no coincedence, they reflect the quality of player at a club whose five Grand Finals seem like a very distant memory.

i used to think he was pretty good as a fullback playing for the broncos, long passing doesn't seem to be his strong point though, i think he's doing alright on the try assists this year but i seem to recall him throwing more bad passes than good.

Why do youi think that is? Do you think it's got something to do with the club not being able to afford to sign loads of top class players anymore?

i think sykes is a good player.. not a 6 though. was excellant when at quins and playing centre

As a stand-off he is well out of his depth, his passing game is weak, yet he doesn't have the running game that Leon Pryce has that let's him get away with it.

and as a centre, he is a lot better, but lack's that killer instinct of a natural centre, doesn't really fit the mould of a Matt Gidley/ Martin Gleeson style or a powerful Keith Senior/ Kirk Yeaman style

Full back his best position?