[Bullseye]

Re: 2024 Squad and Recruitment : Tue Oct 10, 2023 2:14 pm  

Agreed. For a number of years I've looked at Batley as the example we should be following. Although they have a small budget their culture and recruitment is absolutely spot on and they punch substantially above their weight even if this year was a bit of a poor one for them - Wembley is distraction?

I want us to be the best in the division of course but unless we have the required IMG score off the field to secure promotion to SL then it's not worth busting the budget on playing staff for full professionals un less we can afford it and not put the club in danger like in 2015/16. Being best of the semi-pro sides is what we should be aiming for if we aren't likely to be considered for a SL place.

Of course that doesn't mean we should just be happy to stay there. I'd want to see proper plans and actions for the club to meet IMG SL requirements. It might take years and will require a new wealthy owner and a helpful local authority - is that a pig I see flying past?

Re: 2024 Squad and Recruitment : Tue Oct 10, 2023 8:49 pm  

Featherstone and quite heavily reducing there budget could be a few players on the market

Re: 2024 Squad and Recruitment : Wed Oct 11, 2023 7:12 am  

I'd take wildie back.

Re: 2024 Squad and Recruitment : Wed Oct 11, 2023 7:22 am  

Bullseye wrote:

Of course that doesn't mean we should just be happy to stay there. I'd want to see proper plans and actions for the club to meet IMG SL requirements. It might take years and will require a new wealthy owner and a helpful local authority - is that a pig I see flying past?

It may be a blessing for a season or two. If we don't sort the stadium conundrum then I can't see any SL in our immediate future. Maintaining the status quo playing side may allow them to focus on what we REALLY need to improve.

There's no avoiding it. Odsal is a sheeeeeeeeeit tip. As a group we have to take wipes and kitchen roll to clean our seats EVERY game. The car mats are red and the corporate boxes look ready for the scrap man on the outside.

Re: 2024 Squad and Recruitment : Wed Oct 11, 2023 8:08 am  

Odsal might be a mess but that won't have any effect on the IMG ratings for what they rank on.

Re: 2024 Squad and Recruitment : Wed Oct 11, 2023 8:21 am  

Greg Florimos Boots wrote:

Odsal might be a mess but that won't have any effect on the IMG ratings for what they rank on.

Yep, just keep liking and commenting on all Bradford Bulls social media posts & videos!

Re: 2024 Squad and Recruitment : Wed Oct 11, 2023 8:27 am  

I would hope that those in charge are waiting to see our provisional IMG rating before they commit too much of our budget to the squad of players. Things will be different from 2024 onwards and we need to be smart and play the system.
There's no point assembling a squad of world beaters if finishing top still won't get you above the 12th placed SL side on the IMG points system.

Re: 2024 Squad and Recruitment : Wed Oct 11, 2023 8:35 am  

So, we’ve currently got 5 props on the books at the moment.
Lawrence
Baldwinson
Scurr
Doro
Okoro

I’m happy with that at the moment. It’s early October after all.

Green & Gill are the main reserves/academy prospects. Green has had game time at Hunslet I think, is he staying?

Re: 2024 Squad and Recruitment : Wed Oct 11, 2023 8:43 am  

That’s actually decent quality already. I would have Lawrence and Baldy starting with Scurr & Doro impact from the bench. We know how good that is. Any further prop signings would have to be good to improve what we already have

Re: 2024 Squad and Recruitment : Wed Oct 11, 2023 9:01 am  

I'm with Bullseye. I think we need to build the team. Under IMG we no longer have to build a team like Leigh did that not only won the league and stayed up the following year. We've got the foundations to build on and have another good year next year, and maybe even break into the top 2.

As Nothus said, I think we just need to play the system now which IMO is patience and possibly let everyone else implode. Wakey look like they've got a backer who is making bold statements of investing £1.5 million next year. But will he continue to do that if Wakey don't get promoted next year. Which isn't a forgone conclusion by the way despite the new stand (which is still just a stand by the way, not the entire stadium) if Cas have a good season on the field who would Wakey replace if Toulouse to go up this year?

Salford look like they are in complete survival mode and I feel it may catch up with them eventually. We just need to continue doing our thing of being a top end championship team and getting other easy points where we can.