Why do we stick with the same players all the time? : Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:31 pm  

Do you think we need to try something different this week against Leeds Rhinos?

[Pumpetypump]

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:43 pm  

Part of the problem is not having a squad to rotate from. That means that the traditional method of dropping poor performing players can only apply if we are willing to take a punt at playing a youngster.

With Leeds the next game we either stick with the same guys, some of which should be dropped, and hope they have sufficient pride to rectify their own performance, or we actually drop those that deserve it and blood a young lad in a probable hiding. I'm no apologist for Macca but he's in a lose/lose situation coming up to the Leeds game.

Whilst I have no doubt that Macca is in some way failing to galvanise the squad he has to perform, I think his detractors need to acnowledge this key weapon in any coaches armoury (i.e. dropping players) is to some extent not at his disposal.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:56 pm  

Shaggoth wrote:

Part of the problem is not having a squad to rotate from. That means that the traditional method of dropping poor performing players can only apply if we are willing to take a punt at playing a youngster.

With Leeds the next game we either stick with the same guys, some of which should be dropped, and hope they have sufficient pride to rectify their own performance, or we actually drop those that deserve it and blood a young lad in a probable hiding. I'm no apologist for Macca but he's in a lose/lose situation coming up to the Leeds game.

Whilst I have no doubt that Macca is in some way failing to galvanise the squad he has to perform, I think his detractors need to acnowledge this key weapon in any coaches armoury (i.e. dropping players) is to some extent not at his disposal.

But we do have a squad to rotate them, we have 31 players in our first squad, that's as large as any in Super League. I personally think we should take a chance with some of the young players because quite clearly some of the more experienced players are not pulling their weight. I dont agree that it's a lose/lose situation here, In my own opinion I think that playing some of the young guns could help Macca and the team out a little. I personally wish to see some passion and I know that youngsters provide that, so if we play youngsters that have no fear in favour of some of the guys who I think are not playing with pride and passion then I could quite easily accept a loss, even if it's by a large margain.

Do you think that some of the astablished first teamers are complacent with their positions and think that they wont be dropped?

[Pumpetypump]

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:01 pm  

Terry Monster wrote:

Do you think that some of the astablished first teamers are complacent with their positions and think that they wont be dropped?

I'm not saying they actively consider the fact, more that at the back of their mind when Macca is shouting (or whatever he does when they play gash) they'll know they are likely to still get picked for the next game.

Whatever the theoretical size of the Bulls squad, you and I both know that there isn't the class to offer genuine competition. And as for the perfectly understandable notion of saying s0d it and playing kids, that's all well and good againt a lesser team but it can't do any youngster any good to come into a Bulls side that gets bent over by Leeds. It could set their development back.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:02 pm  

Here ya go, one Squad for the rotation of. No good if you don't pick em though, or put them on the bench for 78 mins.

Sam Burgess
Squad No: 8
DOB: 14/12/1988
Height: 6ft 5in
Weight: 110kg
Position: Prop

Matt Cook
Squad No: 15
DOB: 14/11/1986
Height: 6ft
Weight: 97kg
Position: Utility Player

Jason Crookes
Squad No: 23
DOB: 21/04/1990
Height: 5ft 11
Weight: 86kg
Position: Centre/Wing

Steve Crossley
Squad No: 25
DOB: 28/11/1989
Height: 6ft 2
Weight: 105kg
Position: Prop

Paul Deacon
Squad No: 7
DOB: 13/02/1979
Height: 5ft 8
Weight: 81kg
Position: Scrum Half

James Donaldson
Squad No: 30
DOB: 14/09/1991
Height: 5ft 11
Weight: 85kg
Position: Loose Forward

Wayne Godwin
Squad No: 14
DOB: 13/03/1982
Height: 5ft 9
Weight: 84kg
Position: Hooker

Dave Halley
Squad No: 20
DOB: 12/10/1986
Height: 5ft 9in
Weight: 81kg
Position: Wing

Kieran Hyde
Squad No: 27
DOB: 10/10/1989
Height: 5ft 11
Weight: 85kg
Position: Full Back

Matt James
Squad No: 22
DOB: 26/03/1987
Height: 6ft 0in
Weight: 95kg
Position: Prop

Ben Jeffries
Squad No: 6
DOB: 04/09/1980
Height: 5ft 9
Weight: 81kg
Position: Stand Off

Craig Kopczak
Squad No: 19
DOB: 20/12/1986
Height: 6ft 4in
Weight: 101kg
Position: Prop

Jamie Langley
Squad No: 13
DOB: 21/12/1983
Height: 6ft 2in
Weight: 98kg
Position: Loose Forward

Andy Lynch
Squad No: 10
DOB: 20/10/1979
Height: 6ft 2in
Weight: 105kg
Position: Prop

Steve Menzies
Squad No: 11
DOB: 04/12/1973
Height: 6ft 3in
Weight: 101kg
Position: Second Row

Glenn Morrison
Squad No: 12
DOB: 28/05/1976
Height: 6ft 2
Weight: 99kg
Position: Second Row

Chris Nero
Squad No: 4
DOB: 14/02/1981
Height: 6ft 2
Weight: 96kg
Position: Centre/Second Row

Terry Newton
Squad No: 9
DOB: 07/11/1979
Height: 5ft 10in
Weight: 96kg
Position: Hooker

Tom Olbison
Squad No: 29
DOB: 20/03/1991
Height: 6ft 1
Weight: 96kg
Position: Second Row

Michael Platt
Squad No: 1
DOB: 23/03/1984
Height: 6ft 2
Weight: 93kg
Position: Full Back

Nick Scruton
Squad No: 17
DOB: 24/12/1984
Height: 6ft
Weight: 106kg
Position: Prop

Rikki Sheriffe
Squad No: 2
DOB: 05/05/1984
Height: 6ft
Weight: 91kg
Position: Wing

David Solomona
Squad No: 26
DOB: 26/01/1978
Height: 6ft
Weight: 110kg
Position: Second Row

Duane Straugheir
DOB: 28/09/1989
Height: 6ft 0
Weight: 90kg
Position: Centre

Paul Sykes
Squad No: 3
DOB: 11/08/1981
Height: 5ft 10
Weight: 92kg
Position: Centre

Semi Tadulala
Squad No: 5
DOB: 03/03/1978
Height: 6ft 1
Weight: 95kg
Position: Wing

Andy Tate
Squad No: 31
DOB: 07/09/1991
Height: 6ft 3
Weight: 84kg
Position: Second Row

Tame Tupou
Squad No: 18
DOB: 22/10/1982
Height: 6ft 4in
Weight: 110 kg
Position: Utility Player

Elliott Whitehead
Squad No: 28
DOB: 04/09/1989
Height: 6ft 2
Weight: 93kg
Position: Second Row

Michael Worrincy
Squad No: 16
DOB: 16/02/1986
Height: 6ft1in
Weight: 101kg
Position: Second Row

Re: Why do we stick with the same players all the time? : Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:03 pm  

Terry Monster wrote:

Do you think we need to try something different this week against Leeds Rhinos?

Like win the game perhaps ?

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:22 pm  

Terry Monster wrote:

But we do have a squad to rotate them, we have 31 players in our first squad.

We've given 31 players a squad number, it isn't quite the same thing.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:24 pm  

Shaggoth wrote:

I'm not saying they actively consider the fact, more that at the back of their mind when Macca is shouting (or whatever he does when they play gash) they'll know they are likely to still get picked for the next game.

Whatever the theoretical size of the Bulls squad, you and I both know that there isn't the class to offer genuine competition. And as for the perfectly understandable notion of saying s0d it and playing kids, that's all well and good againt a lesser team but it can't do any youngster any good to come into a Bulls side that gets bent over by Leeds. It could set their development back.

We have a crop of U18's internationals, if they cant provide competition to some of the first teamers, particularly the backs then they cant be all that good then and there's not much point of them being there except to make up the numbers. I also dont buy into the opinion that a tonking would set any youngsters back, it would be part and parcel of their development and if anything it would be a good experience for them, it would give them a good idea of what the level is that they are now part of and if they want to become established super league players then they have to get up to that standard. I'm not saying play all the academy team, but make a few little changes here and there.

[Bullseye]

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:27 pm  

Terry Monster wrote:

We have a crop of U18's internationals, if they cant provide competition to some of the first teamers, particularly the backs then they cant be all that good then and there's not much point of them being there except to make up the numbers. I also dont buy into the opinion that a tonking would set any youngsters back, it would be part and parcel of their development and if anything it would be a good experience for them, it would give them a good idea of what the level is that they are now part of and if they want to become established super league players then they have to get up to that standard. I'm not saying play all the academy team, but make a few little changes here and there.

I'd be careful. When Wigan were going through a spell like ours under Millward they played a lot of youngsters who took years to get over the experience.

If we do bring any in I'd restrict it to one or two at a time.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:28 pm  

Asim wrote:

We've given 31 players a squad number, it isn't quite the same thing.

I think 30 of them train with the first team squad day in day out except Straughier, im not sure I spelt that right. That makes them first team squad members in my books.