Re: Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Centurions : Tue Jul 21, 2015 11:04 am  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

We don't know and never will know the full story, but given that we can play like that (and without any halfbacks) the point which remains is that our recent poor showings cost us a genuine chance of top spot. And so Leigh was fun to watch, but was irrelevant to our position. We may have scored a psychological point, but this game could have been for top spot had we won the games we really needed to be winning.

I don't intend to sound churlish, and objectively given where we started Lowes' season has in fact been a tremendous and a bit improbable success (especially when compared with the bonded and battle-hardened Leigh squad) but the way things panned out, IMHO we had the chance to be top, and blew it.

To expand on that a little bit, I think that two very big factors in that happening were (a) Siejka - maybe he was the best available to Jimmy, i don't know, but he hasn't been very good, so far, for whatever reason. (b) Groat the scrote - the thug who put Gaskell out of the rest of the regular season for us. Thanks.

What would the crowd have been home to Leigh in the Super 8s, I wonder?

I agree about Siejka. I also think we had huge expectations that Lauaki would act as a wrecking ball in the pack . He's been a major disappointment mainly due to his poor physical condition. If those two players had performed to expectations we would have been a different proposition.

Re: Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Centurions : Tue Jul 21, 2015 12:46 pm  

Bulliac wrote:

The only 'MUST' change is Purts for Henry. Adam did play well on Sunday but Purtell is both a classy centre with ball in hand and decent defender and, in particular, he knows how to get his winger away. Despite his good game at the weekend Adam is too unreliable, for me.

Hmm, really? I'm just not seeing any of that in Purtell at all. He isn't a classy centre, I don't think his ability to put his winger away is as good as Henry, he's not a good defender out wide (quite the opposite), he has absolutely no agility whatsoever and he has zero pace.
The only attacking threat he poses is his height, and we never put high kicks up in his direction so it's wasted.

Bottom line is there's no substitute for pace and Purtell has none. On the basis of our recent and rumoured signings, Jimmy thinks we're lacking pace in the backs and I agree.

I'd wager that Purtell is one of our highest earners. I think we could better spend his salary elsewhere in the squad and free up a quota spot in the process.

[Bulliac]

Re: Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Centurions : Tue Jul 21, 2015 2:35 pm  

I was comparing the Purtell and Henry at the Bulls Nothus, not sure which two you're comparing....

Re: Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Centurions : Tue Jul 21, 2015 3:46 pm  

Bulliac wrote:

I was comparing the Purtell and Henry at the Bulls Nothus, not sure which two you're comparing....

Guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.

Re: Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Centurions : Tue Jul 21, 2015 8:03 pm  

Henry offers more pace than Purtell and runs the ball in harder. I love Purtell, but I'm not sure if he has the required speed to play in Super League should we get promoted.

Re: Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Centurions : Tue Jul 21, 2015 8:10 pm  

Well it depends on whether a club just wants an immediate fix for a position or providing the game education and building the players confidence i.e. proving to a player that he can be better than his own perceived limitations.

In this case I am talking about Seika and Uaisele. Seika has not had a fair crack of the whip and been missing for most of the games. Uaisele has his faults in defense but I get the vibe that he could be the product we would want. Take the Volcano for instance, as been mentioned he was not great early on for the Bulls but eventually came good. The other factor that made Big Les the winger he was, Is that he had been able to team up and build an awsome partnership with an equally awsome quality Centre in Hape.

Again Henry is improving but as I said to my mate at the game he just never seems to be able to get himself with a real space. Is that his fault or how he is instructed to position himself in a flat line? I understand that strategy but being the fossil I am, I still go with depth for a larger part of any game.

Re: Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Centurions : Wed Jul 22, 2015 7:46 am  

I thought Olbison was mom of match Sunday he was awesome so was cough and sidlow! Highlighted how lightweight we are and how we can punch holes in a defence apart from hock and Barlow. I think you mean should be disappointed you didn't win we was very very poor first half you should of blown us away. Having no halfbacks didn't help and there is a massive improvement in both teams! Hope there is some way we can go up!! Had a good chat with a Bradford fan on Sunday knowledgable pleasant guy and I wish you all the best in playoffs apart from against us!

Re: Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Centurions : Wed Jul 22, 2015 8:31 am  

oggy123 wrote:

I thought Olbison was mom of match Sunday he was awesome so was cough and sidlow! Highlighted how lightweight we are and how we can punch holes in a defence apart from hock and Barlow. I think you mean should be disappointed you didn't win we was very very poor first half you should of blown us away. Having no halfbacks didn't help and there is a massive improvement in both teams! Hope there is some way we can go up!! Had a good chat with a Bradford fan on Sunday knowledgable pleasant guy and I wish you all the best in playoffs apart from against us!

This is generally what happens when you come up against a good side. If the Bulls take that attitude and commitment into the 8's and we have our key playmakers fit then we can give anyone a fair game I would say. Highly doubt two teams will be promoted but you never know I guess.

Re: Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Centurions : Thu Jul 23, 2015 7:38 am  

Was most impressed with Caro though, huge amount of strength and his long try he didn't even seem to be trying after out paced the chasers

Re: Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Centurions : Thu Jul 23, 2015 7:56 am  

Pace and strength are a pretty good combination for a winger and he certainly has both. To score 3 on debut bodes well for the future as he learns what to expect from his centre(s).
I wonder if Ryan has been signed for his experience as a centre. With the signing of Clare we seem to have real strength across the backs and I can see several not being retained.