Re: Defence this year 2015 : Tue Jan 27, 2015 9:23 pm  

martinwildbull wrote:

Have you looked at the table showing by player missed tackles: made tackles ratios on page 1 of Bulls Squad 2015, where the stats are available. The front row is a big improvement not simply in numbers but few missed tackles, likewise Baille Pitts and Walshaw look good defensively and Williams for a wing is decent. Bullseyes point about the props is a good one, the rest of the team will benefit. when you are tired concentration goes tackles get missed etc etc

Thank you, and thank to the others. I have been watching RL and a Bulls supporter for 30+ years. Maybe i'm a old diehard. The Defensive performance seriously effects the go forward and eventually freedom in the red zone.

Watching and listening over recent years is not so much the skills in attack, however our ability to correctly focus defensively. Which has put the team in a position where it has too much to do.

Re: Defence this year 2015 : Wed Jan 28, 2015 7:36 am  

The main thing is that the front row is going forward and Davies and Tahroui look made of the right stuff. The halves have shown promise (Gaskell is a SL player).

Everything else is fixable. I thought that Chev has been at his most effective in recent years coming off the bench to play as an extra prop/loose - a bit like Langley did, only quicker but not as big or strong in defence.

The injuries are a concern, particularly Ferguson and Blythe, but that's what a squad is for.

The pre-season sounds very tough in preparation for a very difficult opener at Leigh. some on their board are saying they'll put 40 on us.

[Bullseye]

Re: Defence this year 2015 : Wed Jan 28, 2015 9:19 am  

I think some Leythers might be getting a bit ahead of themselves if they’re tipping a win by 40. They’ve had it relatively easy last year and may have got used to running away with games. Signing Moi Moi and beating Wigan in pre season has put them on a high.

I expect a closer game than a 40 point stuffing. Leigh are well drilled and have had the benefit of a settled squad so they’re favourites but a win for us is definitely possible. I hope their players take us as lightly as some of their fans!

Re: Defence this year 2015 : Wed Jan 28, 2015 9:36 am  

They're also used to winning, and that breeds a trust in your mates to give everything.

A look at their squad immediately tells you that they are a lot more than the sum of their parts and that Rowley is a serious coach. I haven't seen them play but I've heard they are a big, physical side who keep coming.

Re: Defence this year 2015 : Wed Jan 28, 2015 9:43 am  

At Headingley the defensive structure looked much improved. To me I thought there were fewer missed tackles and when Leeds broke through there was usually a player or players available to recover.Of the 6 Leeds tries, 2 were directly attributable to our attacking errors - the interception early doors and Purtells attempt to intercept. Only Lelulais try under the post displayed a basic lack of defensive structure.
As noted by many the set of props is a promising mix of solid and impact players. I think Lauaki is a gamble but if that gamble doesn't come off there's enough in numbers and quality to cover.Conroy and Halafihi looked sharp
I was particularly impressed by the improvement in Olbison's technique. Paired with Ferguson ,our second row could be formidable.

Re: Defence this year 2015 : Wed Jan 28, 2015 12:13 pm  

On most of the forums and boards we are being accused of being big headed but I haven't seen many (in fact no one on here) bigging us up.

Yet Leigh fans have gone through the roof with the arrogance.

Re: Defence this year 2015 : Wed Jan 28, 2015 4:48 pm  

I have not heard any arrogance from any bulls supporters and clearly Leigh are a quality team in the Championship.

I am confident we will perform when it matters, the loss of the Hudds game is a shame as it was an additional match the team needed for testing different scenarios.

Re: Defence this year 2015 : Wed Jan 28, 2015 9:49 pm  

I doubt any but the most rose-tinted Leigh fans are expecting an easy win against Bradford.

Bookies have us as level for that 1st match and they aren't usually too far off.

I think/hope Leigh will edge it but we'll need to be at our best and keep silly errors and pens to a minimum.

Should be a great game, can't wait.

[Pumpetypump]

Re: Defence this year 2015 : Thu Jan 29, 2015 7:52 am  

Maccbull_BigBullyBooaza wrote:

On most of the forums and boards we are being accused of being big headed but I haven't seen many (in fact no one on here) bigging us up.

On facebook all I read is "typical bradford think they are gonna walk it". But you scan up and down the thread and not one bulls fan is saying that. Some chippy fans desperately WANT us to be arrogant so they can justify their ignorant ranting.

Like you say I have no axe to grind with Leigh but they are exuding overconfidence. Even some feath fans think they are going to "smash it" after signing gaz "what's a contract? " carvell.

Re: Defence this year 2015 : Thu Jan 29, 2015 9:25 am  

Fev have signed Wood, Carvell in the props and Maitua in the second row, plus another big prop from Newtown Jets, Verlinden. If Hay gets them on the pitch and rolling they'll be a handful in the Championship no doubt.