Adeybull wrote:Hmm. Lost "a lot of good players"? Bit of curate's egg more like IMO, I'd say, although for sure there are several we could have done with keeping in an ideal world. Anyway, my quick take:
Lost:
Deacon - derided (unfairly IMO) by most oppo fans; never same since that bad injury in the Tri-Nations though and far too predictable
Newton - won't be missed after a mediocre year, and rumours of trouble behind the scenes. Our late surge coincided with his being injured.
Morrison - one we will defo miss - if stays free from injury and not sat in the stand half the season.
Solomona - sat in stand most of last year; looked like could not be arsed.
Jeffries - never really shone. When we signed him, the Wakey fans rightly told us he has a few good games and rather more nothing ones (although now he is back with them he's God's gift again, funnily enough...)
James - sadly, no real loss
Tadulala - another we will miss, since we are light on the wings if we keep playing Sheriffe.
Cook - would have preferred to keep him, and think you have a good capture there. He always seemed to think he was worth more (in game time and money, I believe) than the coach did. Time will tell, but good luck to him.
Burgess - a performing Burgess would be missed by any club. Sam did not really perform to his potential for us for much of last season though, so we'll miss him less than we should. OK, two more very promising Burgesses coming through, even bigger than he is, but a way to go yet.
"Only gained a couple"? Guess we'll know the truth of that better in a few weeks, but:
Gained
Orford - not seen anyone suggesting we'd have been better keeping Deacon? Rep speaks for itself, although late arrival means will likely be a few weeks before we see him on true form though so make the most of now!
Kearney - played 7 against Leeds, and ran the show. It was like watching a different team - he was excellent. I think he will shock a few at 6 this season.
LeStrange - what a refreshing change from Newton - just like Henderson was a bit back. Another to shine at Leeds, and another I think will shock a few when he gets into his stride. In fact, with Orford Kearney and LeStrange at 7,6 & 9, I think you won't recognise the Bulls this year. And (from our point of view) for all the right reasons.
Reardon - I was chuffed at this signing, and early signs justify that. I think he will surprise his doubters this season, and will play out of his skin, and may well prove to be our most astute signing.
Sculthorpe - well we'll just have to see. He'll either be a revelation... or pants! Definite wildcard for mine!
Hall - one hard guy, will take some stopping - early outings very promising.
Developers:
Watch out for Donaldson, Whitehead and Olbison to name but three. Potential for some future internationals in there. Might just see Crookes (injured most of last season) and Kopczak rise to the challenge too this year, and if Scruton carries on as he left off end of last season we'll cope without Sam.
Whatever happens on Thursday, I really do think that those who dismiss the Bulls as not having improved compared to last year may be being a tad premature. But feel free to write that down someplace, to throw back at me if (and heaven forbid) we have any kind of repeat of last season...
I think thats a fair summing up. Press predictions and predictions on here I think can't have seen much of our new signings, because the spine of our team 6,7 & 9 has improved massively and I think All of our new Aussies & Reardon will surprise a few people, I agree though Sculthorpe is one we'll have to wait and see
Ewwenorfolk wrote:I think thats a fair summing up. Press predictions and predictions on here I think can't have seen much of our new signings, because the spine of our team 6,7 & 9 has improved massively and I think All of our new Aussies & Reardon will surprise a few people, I agree though Sculthorpe is one we'll have to wait and see
You're closer to it than I am so probably have a better in sight, I just think it will take a while to gel the team and I wonder if mc is the man to do it. I just see Bradford in a transition year and develop more in 2011
Joined: Dec 22 2001 Posts: 14145 Location: At the Gates of Delirium
barham red wrote:You're closer to it than I am so probably have a better in sight, I just think it will take a while to gel the team and I wonder if mc is the man to do it. I just see Bradford in a transition year and develop more in 2011
You are probably not wrong with that bit, to be honest. We've a few more OOC end 2010, and with the new guys signed up for a bit and the talent emerging from the academy (and a signing or two for 2011 in the threequarters... ) I think 2011 has the potential to be the best year for a while for us.
Have seen Donaldson and Whitehead a few times playing in the junior grades and they looked top quality. Losing a player of Sam Burgess' ability would be a blow to any side in the world but given time i reckon these 2 may more than compensate for his loss.
"Dream Big..Work Hard".................. Sarah Storey, Paralympic Legend.
Joined: Jan 15 2007 Posts: 11924 Location: Secret Hill Top Lair. V.2
A whole host of variables at Bradford, I agree they've recruited really well in pivotal positions where for the last few years they've looked a bit devoid of ideas. The big questions for me are; Is McNamara the man to take them forward, has he got the vision and strenght of character to take the team into a new era? Personally, despite the obvious terrible slur on his character i'd like to see him succeed, always seems a decent bloke. How quick will the new players settle and how quick will the squad gel into a team? Again, most of this weight will fall on the back room staff's shoulders. Centre would be a worry for me, Nero doesn't seem to hit the heights he used to at Huddersfield and Sykes looks utter gash most of the time, I've admittedly not seen much of Crookes. Lastly, possibly most worrying of all is Nick Scruton's picture on The Bulls website, hello sailor?!?
If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle.
Paul124897 wrote:How about parking for this game? Can away fans get into parking at the ground or that school close to the stadium? or do we have to risk the streets?
You can park in the stadium for around £5 , or if you turn in towards the ground you will see the main gates to the stadium and carpark on your left , if you continue on 50 mts down on the right is a Sports club and Bar ( soccer sensations).. they charge £3 and a little easier to get out i guess
barham red wrote:You're closer to it than I am so probably have a better in sight, I just think it will take a while to gel the team and I wonder if mc is the man to do it. I just see Bradford in a transition year and develop more in 2011
Think thats a fair comment tbh, but I am hoping -although I do reckon we'll be better in 2011- that well do well this season as L'Estrange and Orford already know each others plays well etc. and Kearney has already been linking up with L'Estrange well.
Joined: Apr 08 2006 Posts: 7069 Location: Central Coast
i think the bulls could well miss out on the play offs again. i thought so last year(me and ewwenorfolk had a bet on it and do again this year) i think the bulls for a few reasons are weaker than last season.
1, they have lost all their leaders, deacs, morrison, newton and burgess. the heart of the bradford club bar langley is gone.
2, they have lost their best player in burgess
3, if orford gets injured they are fooked, they have an nrl fullback who couldnt get a game at 6 is now their back up scrum half????
4, their squad is full of average journey men.
5, their coach is not up to the job.
this is just my opinion and i could look very stupid come the end of the season(it wouldnt be the first time)
Odemwingie wrote: I hope his career is over.(regarding danny mcguires injury 2010 play offs)
Ewwenorfolk wrote: I'm glad McGuire got injured, hope he's out for about 10 months
Bulls4Champs2010 wrote:Price, Civ, Beaver, Moz and Wiki. Peacock is not in the catagory of these special players.
McLaren_Field wrote: To be fair, their teams are also inconsequential to their own fans judging by the amount of traffic that all the other boards get
Warrington Wolf wrote:If you win the weekly rounds then without doubt you are the champions.
Joined: Feb 01 2006 Posts: 1782 Location: Hull (East of Course!)
I just don't think it takes a possibly over the hill scrum half, and a couple of has over the hil NRL players (with niggling injuries) to turn you from a poor side into a good side over night. Sounds familiar that....
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) I think 2011 has the potential to be the best year for a while for us.
