Re: Challenge cup - Bradford v Oldham : Tue Mar 18, 2014 4:11 pm  

Hope we rest at least half the squad. Survival in SL is a must. We need to preserve our tiny squad. Ideal opportunity to rest a few and play the young ones, Roberts, Wood, Mellor, Conroy, Bates,

Re: Challenge cup - Bradford v Oldham : Tue Mar 18, 2014 4:17 pm  

5 Super League ties.... impressive!

Re: Challenge cup - Bradford v Oldham : Tue Mar 18, 2014 4:19 pm  

I wouldnt be resting anybody tbh - a good win (if they can manage it) might be what they need to boost a bit of confidence

Re: Challenge cup : Tue Mar 18, 2014 4:20 pm  

vbfg wrote:

Is it on the wireless?

It can be picked up on a crystal set.

Re: Challenge cup - Bradford v Oldham : Tue Mar 18, 2014 4:23 pm  

pulsator2k7 wrote:

I wouldnt be resting anybody tbh - a good win (if they can manage it) might be what they need to boost a bit of confidence

If 11 first teamed and the 6 full time young ones can't beat a CC1 team, serious questions need to be asked about our training.

What's point in playing full side, smashing them 70+ and potentially getting more injuries.

Re: Challenge cup - Bradford v Oldham : Tue Mar 18, 2014 4:31 pm  

Anyway we may not have a choice but to play young ones. With Brduge, Mullally and Sutcliffe on short term
Deals, I doubt they will be allowed to play

Re: Challenge cup - Bradford v Oldham : Tue Mar 18, 2014 5:05 pm  

I have just had a sneaky bet on the Bulls to win/make the Final of the Challenge Cup with Sky bet at 80/1 (40/1 to make the Final). We won't win it but 40/1 to get to the Final is a decent price. That is on the basis that of all the all-SL ties it would be quite possible for us (or of course any of the SL clubs) to go a long way now in the competition without encountering any top-level opposition.

One club at least will strike it lucky through the draws, and my bet is based on the possibility that it could be us.

In the draw for the next round could easily be:
Leigh
Doncaster
Keighley
Featherstone
Hunslet
Sheffield
Swinton

as well as

Huddersfield/ Wigan / Leeds / Catalan / Widnes / Castleford / Warrington / Salford

Statistically there could be thus expected to be 2 or 3 all-non-SL ties in the last 16 so a distinct possibility of 3 of 8 non-SL sides in the quarters. If we are in the quarters then it is COULD be (if the draw works out that way) not much worse than evens we would be drawn again against non-SL opponents. And a greater than even chance of one non-SL team in the semi finals.

There is no sensible chance of a non-SL team making the Final but at 40/1 for us simply to get there, I think it's a bet that will keep me entertained for a bit.

And my E.W. saver on Wigan at 4/1 means I would get my money back whenever the Bulls exit the comp, as long as Wigan made the Final.

Re: Challenge cup - Bradford v Oldham : Tue Mar 18, 2014 5:08 pm  

Take the pre-season game against Dewsbury for example, Dewsbury maybe a better side than Oldham but they will still be up for an upset, is it really worth resting players to then have to deal with even more humiliation of losing to a CC1 side - surely trying to achieve a good cup run can only be good for the club,

As sad as it is people dont want to go and pay into odsal to watch half an academy team play (not me included as i go to every home and away fixture)

Re: Challenge cup - Bradford v Oldham : Tue Mar 18, 2014 5:15 pm  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

[Leigh
Doncaster
Keighley
Featherstone
Hunslet
Sheffield
Swinton[/b]

Looks more like next seasons fixture list

Re: Challenge cup - Bradford v Oldham : Tue Mar 18, 2014 5:19 pm  

I am more than happy to go out to a CC1 side. I'd be happy if we fielded an academy player with 12 articulated papier mache men connected to him to mirror his movements. The cup's a distraction this year.