Re: 28/5/16 • Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Centurions : Thu May 26, 2016 9:40 am  

HamsterChops wrote:

Thomas also missed about 19 tackles.

However I would concur they are the least poor option.

God I miss the days when we actually had 3 halfbacks in the squad so it wasn't an issue if one was injured.

But how often was Thomas left completely isolated by Blythe been out of position and leaving him 1 on 1 against Menzie Yere (who has sat many decent defenders on their backside)

The defensive side can be fixed by getting some decent defenders along side him. Attacking wise i think Thomas has actually played the best at HB out of anyone (including Gaskell) Hopefully he will get more confident with a run of games. He took control as the game went on against Sheffield and he became more confident. In fact it's the first time i've seen game management this year. l also thought Addy had his best game for a while.

[Bullseye]

Re: 28/5/16 • Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Centurions : Thu May 26, 2016 10:59 am  

Surely it'll be Purtell and Welham in the centres? Or is Purtell injured? I've been away...

Re: 28/5/16 • Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Centurions : Thu May 26, 2016 11:17 am  

Bull Mania wrote:

But how often was Thomas left completely isolated by Blythe been out of position and leaving him 1 on 1 against Menzie Yere (who has sat many decent defenders on their backside)

The defensive side can be fixed by getting some decent defenders along side him. Attacking wise i think Thomas has actually played the best at HB out of anyone (including Gaskell) Hopefully he will get more confident with a run of games. He took control as the game went on against Sheffield and he became more confident. In fact it's the first time i've seen game management this year. l also thought Addy had his best game for a while.

I was stood not very far away when Thomas dropped off easy tackles. And not just on units like Yere. He's a defensive liability, but on the flip side can be a dangerous attacking threat if he's in form.

He's far from ideal IMO, but he is the only real option until a mystery signing happens, which looks like being some time never.

Bullseye wrote:

Surely it'll be Purtell and Welham in the centres? Or is Purtell injured? I've been away...

He's been missing last few games through injury.

[Bullseye]

Re: 28/5/16 • Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Centurions : Thu May 26, 2016 12:43 pm  

Any chance of Purtell being back for Saturday?

I agree Blythe is a terrible defender. Actually a fit JP Baille would be a decent option in his proper position. Whatever's happened to him?

Re: 28/5/16 • Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Centurions : Thu May 26, 2016 12:50 pm  

Don't think Purtell will be back for Saturday.

It's times like these when you realise just how unbalanced our squad is. No fullback until we made a panic buy, who surprised nobody by being terrible. We now play a winger there instead. No 7 at all to speak of, and only two recognised centres before we're forced to play someone like Blythe there, who at times looks like he's never played the sport before in his life he's that bad.

Re: 28/5/16 • Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Centurions : Thu May 26, 2016 1:05 pm  

Mathers back in the squad

Clough out with a knock

Lucas Walshaw, Adam O’Brien, Dale Ferguson, Kurt Haggerty, Mitch Clark, Steve Crossley, Danny Addy, Richie Mathers, Joe Lumb, Jay Pitts, Kris Welham, Oscar Thomas, Danny Williams, James Clare, Tom Olbison, Adam Sidlow, Alex Mellor, Omari Caro, Matty Blythe.

Considering Leighs pack is massive, it's a big gamble going with 3 props.

For me:

Clare
Caro
Welham
Walshaw (he's played there before)
Williams
Addy
Thomas
Sidlow
O'brien
Crossley
Olbison
Ferguson
Pitts
Lumb
Clark
Haggerty
Mellor

Very lightweight pack. Need to throw the ball out wide as much as possible

Re: 28/5/16 • Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Centurions : Thu May 26, 2016 1:28 pm  

One of Haggerty, Olby or Fergie will spend some of the 80 minutes at prop judging by that squad.

Re: 28/5/16 • Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Centurions : Thu May 26, 2016 2:39 pm  

Bull Mania wrote:

Very lightweight pack. Need to throw the ball out wide as much as possible

Agree. So it's imperative that we have two dynamic and specialist halves to get the ball out there.

Oh.

Re: 28/5/16 • Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Centurions : Thu May 26, 2016 2:50 pm  

Bull Mania wrote:

Mathers back in the squad

Clough out with a knock

Lucas Walshaw, Adam O’Brien, Dale Ferguson, Kurt Haggerty, Mitch Clark, Steve Crossley, Danny Addy, Richie Mathers, Joe Lumb, Jay Pitts, Kris Welham, Oscar Thomas, Danny Williams, James Clare, Tom Olbison, Adam Sidlow, Alex Mellor, Omari Caro, Matty Blythe.

Considering Leighs pack is massive, it's a big gamble going with 3 props.

For me:

Clare
Caro
Welham
Walshaw (he's played there before)
Williams
Addy
Thomas
Sidlow
O'brien
Crossley
Olbison
Ferguson
Pitts
Lumb
Clark
Haggerty
Mellor

Very lightweight pack. Need to throw the ball out wide as much as possible

seems strongest lineup. as hamsterchops said would expect one of olbison,ferguson or haggerty to fill in at prop. With walker and fleming both out on loan, kavanagh injured and lauaki seemingly totally out of picture not sure what else we can do. Wouldnt be surprised to see mathers at FB and clare at Centre. I'd maybe be tempted to try melor at Centre ahead of Walshaw. Has Walshaw been playing at all this season or has he been injured? would have thought he was too old for u19s so surely his match fitness must be a concern.

[Bullseye]

Re: 28/5/16 • Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Centurions : Thu May 26, 2016 3:00 pm  

Who is this Lucas Walshaw chap?