Re: 2017 Squad : Wed Aug 10, 2016 10:11 am  

Bullmans Parade wrote:

here's a really novel idea - how about a player who can kick conversions?

How many games have we lost this season, despite scoring more tries than the opposition, simply because we can't convert the 4-pointers into 6's?!

Three matches.

Re: 2017 Squad : Wed Aug 10, 2016 10:15 am  

MicktheGled wrote:

Three matches.

Enough to have seen us in the middle 8's then!

Re: 2017 Squad : Wed Aug 10, 2016 6:14 pm  

I wouldn't be surprised if Ryan Bailey was recommended by uncle Tony!

Re: 2017 Squad : Tue Aug 16, 2016 5:52 am  

Anyone know why Jonny Campbell isn't still with Keighley? He seemed to go well in first couple of games and then hasn't played since. He was at odsal on Sunday and not even watching Keighley

Re: 2017 Squad : Thu Aug 18, 2016 8:33 am  

Looks pretty much nailed on that Pitts and Purtell are off to London

Doesn't seem like anyone wants to offer Olbison anything - the T&A suggests he might end up playing part-time at Batley with Diskin. That seems a helluva come down for someone who was in the same bracket as Whitehead and Donaldson not so long ago.

And suggestions that a number of other contracted players are free to leave 'if an opportunity presents itself'. Presumably that covers people like Mendeika, Campbell, Halafihi etc

A real 'clear out' (and much needed IMO)

[Bulliac]

Re: 2017 Squad : Thu Aug 18, 2016 8:46 am  

Think Olbison has gone 'off the boil' a bit, both this year and last. I've no idea why but he seems to have hit a plateau after his period of being the 'next big thing'. Disappointing but it happens - a new club, new environment, different coaching may be all he needs since I'm sure the basic ability has to be still there. That maybe means that Batley, and Disko, wouldn't necessarily be his best option though.

Re: 2017 Squad : Thu Aug 18, 2016 9:07 am  

Some of our homegrown guys have stalled, purely because of the lack of development having SL intensity every week brings. Although coaching comes into it as well. I have been worried about Mellor this season but Rohan I think sees potential & should get his development back on track. Too late for Olbison though. Which is a shame.

Re: 2017 Squad : Thu Aug 18, 2016 9:19 am  

Was very refreshing reading that T&A article. Sounds like Smith is going to be ruthless and isn't going to show the the kind of blind loyalty that Jimmy showed to certain players.
i think some players are going to have the shock of their lives pre-season.

Re: 2017 Squad : Thu Aug 18, 2016 9:35 am  

HamsterChops wrote:

Is that not a common theme of Bradford in recent years though? Player breaks through in academy, looks like he could be a future star, then ends up stagnating and moving on, only to reach that potential elsewhere?

I would say Whitehead, Bateman and T Burgess certainly fall into that category. Luke Gale maybe too (although didn't come through our academy). All started to look like their progression had totally stopped before going elsewhere and becoming stars. Donaldson not so much as I don't think he ever stopped developing, he was always quality for us.

Totally agree with this. In his junior days John played 6 or 13 or even fullback, once in the first team was used as a battering ram and we didnt see anything like what Wigan are now with him, try scoring and creating etc. For me Bradford have always fallen foul of wanting to bulk young lads up, John has stripped right down at Wigan. also see Jamie Langley line breaking international back row to workhorse due to putting too much size on

[Bullseye]

Re: 2017 Squad : Thu Aug 18, 2016 9:43 am  

Most of our juniors of the past 10 years have gone on to greater things when they’ve moved. IMO that’s been down to the lack of stability in the club over this period. We’ve also had a lot of inexperienced head coaches (apart from Potter) in that time. I remember Whitehead and Olbison coming through and looking good before either stagnating or developing bad habits. I remember saying at the time if you bring young players into a first team that is poor quality and cuts corners then they’ll start doing the same before long.

Rohan Smith comes with a reputation for being good at developing young talent so maybe this trend will come to an end now – provided we stay afloat.