What positions do we need to take a look at for next season? : Mon Apr 06, 2009 2:31 pm  

I personally think we need a change at full back, right wing, right centre, scrum half and hooker. I reckon we could solve a few of those problems with players we currently have at the club. I'm not a big fan of Mike Platt and yesterdays bit of sillyness is an example of why. Errors similar to that come from Mick on a regular occurence and they often lead to tries as it did yesterday. I think we could cut down these errors by playing Sykes there. Yes Sykes didn't have the best of games at full back the other week against Hull, but he played their numerous times for us last season and played the position well. I personally think Sykes is a full back as opposed to centre. Sykes isn't the greatest defender in the world, but his defensive fraitilities would not be highlighted as much at full back as they are on the right, which brings me nicely to my next point

The right side is also a problem for us in my books, particularly on defence, Rikk Sheriffe and Paul Sykes. Both of these lads positioning on the right is rather questionable and in Sykes case this was highlighted numerous times last season and has continued to be a problem into the new season in my opinions. Beaver Menzies is a noted defender and a player that has played a lot of centre during his glorious career, in playing Steve at right centre I think we could go along way in solving an issue that I believe is a major problem. Also outside Sykes, Rick Sheriffe continues to be found out of position when defender, he's taken his tries well, but that's not his problem and I reckon David Halley is a far better defender than Rick and also takes his chances just as well if not better than Rick. I know some people have an issue with Dave's size, but to me that's not really a problem, he definatley hold his own, but alternativley we have Jason Crookes who I think is a little heavier than Halley.

Scrum Half. Lets face it, Paul Deacon is finished, I've never rated Deacs that highley and the last two years he's been totally uncreative. He's also suffered numerous injuries which hasn't helped him but he's declined rapidly in that period in many aspects of his game, including probably his best attribute, kicking. Ben Jeffries is playing better this year and I personally think he's a scrum half, I think it would be best to drop Deacs and play BJ at scrum half, but that would leave us short on a stand off that we need to recruit.

Also, Tez Newton hasn't lived up to his reputation of the past, when he came I was expecting a livewire hooker with excellent ball playing skills and ferocious defence. Tez hasn't delivered and his passing is often innacurate and he misses tackles. I really like that Chad Randall at Harlequins, he's a fine organiser that gets his forwards where he wants them, he's also a tireless worker. I'd love to see him in Bulls colours

Also I really think we need a new coach, Macca has tried his hardest but he's not really up to the standard set previously. We need a motivator, a coach that can has good contacts and can attract quality players and above all we need a coach that isn't afraid to mix things up when they aren't going to plan. That's what I think anyway.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 2:49 pm  

Second row and props OK otherwise all positions could be better

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 2:56 pm  

An intersting analysis of Bradford Team needs there

I think rather than recruitment and talking about replacement I think retention should be 1st on Bradford list.

Starting with Lynch and Morrison. I appreciate Morrison is getting more injury prone however his work ethic and general play means even if he does miss a few months the good outweighs the bad and his contribution to the sqaud (from the outside at least) seems invaluable. I know Matt Cook is also out of contract this year and I think he is working hard to ensure a new contract. I would hope the Bulls would give him one, it could end up a good bit of business as he won't be demanding megabucks!Tadulala is maybe wortha nother year if he is out of contract.

If I was looking to recruit for bradford I would start looking for a new "Spine" of the team. These would start with a new hooker and either a 6 or 7. Terry Newton for me seems to be "underperforming" (Nice way of putting it!) he seemed to be targeted against Catalans and he looked tired and lazy in the tackle. I can appreciate he is doing the 80mins week in week out and Godwins injury isn't helping the current hooking situation but for me Newtons past his best and a new hooker would bring some life into your team. A young new half back I believe would also be a shrewd buy. He could learn off Deacon (Who has been/Still is very good depending on opinion) and Jeffries and could start getting gametime and building for the future. I would hope the next 6 or 7 they bring in will be not be an NRL old timer but more of a young british talent they could blood.

I think that will be where my priorities would lie if i was head coach at the bulls.....But then again Im not a coach. this is just my opinion.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:03 pm  

SDB you seemed to have overlooked the fact that we have secured Platty for the next 3 years.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:08 pm  

You'd be a lot less concerned about needing a new full-back if most of the rest of the team did their bloody jobs in defence!

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:15 pm  

Adeybull wrote:

You'd be a lot less concerned about needing a new full-back if most of the rest of the team did their bloody jobs in defence!

I dont think I would.

[Pumpetypump]

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:16 pm  

9 to 14 I reckon but an outside chance for a playoff spot.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:18 pm  

Coach?

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:14 pm  

Beast with two backs????

: Tue Apr 07, 2009 12:29 am  

In an ideal situation I would like two new centres, two new half backs (Deacs dropped completely and Jeffries filling in), A new Hooker (Godwin released and Newton filling in) and possibly (but not as urgently) a new full-back. I wouldn't mind a loose-forward either.