Competition in forwards : Thu Mar 03, 2016 12:02 pm  

Looking at our forwards, I think we've got a pack that's good enough to get us into SL. I know it's only been 4 matches, but when everyone's back fit, there'll be some real competition.

Props I'd go with Sidlow & Clough starting with Kavanagh & Clarke on the bench.

Back row is where it gets difficult, the players I'd rate good enough at the moment are Olbison, Pitts, Lovegrove (definitely not a prop), Haggerty (after his 2nd half performance), Ferguson and Mellor. That's before/if we get a scrum half, then we have Addy in the mix aswell.

I'd probably go with Olbison, Haggerty & Lovegrove starting with Addy (can also go to hooker) & Ferguson on the bench. That's if we do eventually sign a scrum half who can kick conversions!

In my opinion, that pack and bench should definitely compete with the lower SL teams. Maybe we're one big impact prop (Fui Fui Moi type) away.

Re: Competition in forwards : Thu Mar 03, 2016 12:52 pm  

BigHeapOfBull wrote:

Looking at our forwards, I think we've got a pack that's good enough to get us into SL. I know it's only been 4 matches, but when everyone's back fit, there'll be some real competition.

Props I'd go with Sidlow & Clough starting with Kavanagh & Clarke on the bench.

Back row is where it gets difficult, the players I'd rate good enough at the moment are Olbison, Pitts, Lovegrove (definitely not a prop), Haggerty (after his 2nd half performance), Ferguson and Mellor. That's before/if we get a scrum half, then we have Addy in the mix aswell.

I'd probably go with Olbison, Haggerty & Lovegrove starting with Addy (can also go to hooker) & Ferguson on the bench. That's if we do eventually sign a scrum half who can kick conversions!

In my opinion, that pack and bench should definitely compete with the lower SL teams. Maybe we're one big impact prop (Fui Fui Moi type) away.

I would like to see Clough,Sidlow and Kavanagh fit to play before we talk about real competition. We have no idea when this will be.

Re: Competition in forwards : Thu Mar 03, 2016 1:47 pm  

I doubt Jimmy will ever have a full compliment to pick from, there'll always be one or two out! I'd like to see Addy play a couple of games at loose with Thomas at SH, just to keep Addy's hand in to playing that role as these days it appears that he's exclusively a 7! Imagine he played all season at 7 and we brought in a specialist for the 8's - Addy would find himself playing a then unfamiliar role, and someone who had been in there all year would find themselves missing out!

Though for me, my first choice would be as follows;
Clough, OB, Sidlow
Haggerty, Pitts
Lovegrove

Olbison, Ferguson, Kavanagh, Clark

*Blythe & Lauaki as far away as possible; Canada or something!

If we do ever bring in a 7, then Lovegrove would be the one to make way with Addy going to 13. It would be nice to see a hooker on the bench but i think Jimmy is too stubborn to do that... His idea of spelling a hooker seems to be the last 20 minutes once every handful of games. I'd love to see O'B get a break 10mins either side of half time... remembering the days of old; bringing a fresh hooker off the bench made all the difference! Though, as someone else mentioned, in an Ideal world when we actually have a 7, then Addy can offer cover there I imagine (or the new 7 could, same idea applies...).

Re: Competition in forwards : Thu Mar 03, 2016 1:53 pm  

eccleshillbull wrote:

Though for me, my first choice would be as follows;
Clough, OB, Sidlow
Haggerty, Pitts
Lovegrove

Olbison, Ferguson, Kavanagh, Clark

If we do ever bring in a 7, then Lovegrove would be the one to make way with Addy going to 13.

I would agree with that entirely. If a back goes down injured, Danny Versatility could go into the centres, he's played there for Scotland and would do a makeshift job is push came to shove.

Re: Competition in forwards : Thu Mar 03, 2016 7:50 pm  

I agree with the above post and further more,both pitts and olbison could do a job in the centres if required which rules out the need for a back in the bench

[Bulliac]

Re: Competition in forwards : Fri Mar 04, 2016 10:18 am  

The quality of our forwards should mean there is never any need to play anyone who is less than 100% fit - that, along with the obvious competition for places, is the best thing of all, to me.

Re: Competition in forwards : Fri Mar 04, 2016 4:47 pm  

http://www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/news/pos ... ldham-trip Well it seems that Clough is close to a comeback - he's been named in our 19 man squad. I hope this isn't a response to Sidlow's injury.

http://www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/news/pos ... ldham-trip Well it seems that Clough is close to a comeback - he's been named in our 19 man squad. I hope this isn't a response to Sidlow's injury.

[Bulliac]

Re: Competition in forwards : Fri Mar 04, 2016 5:16 pm  

If he's basically 'fit', then I don't see any problem to be honest. He could do 'lauaki' type cameo and build up his match fitness. I feel confident that if Cloughie plays for 15 minutes then we'll get 15 minutes of valuable play form him.

If he's not fit, then my earlier post applies - I don't accept that a game against Oldham is desperate times. If a 'nearly fit' bloke has to be risked, particularly an important one like Clough, then the game isn't worth it - even if we lose it wouldn't be that important in the great scheme of things, I mean, I doubt the game is going to be looked at as a, 'four-pointer', at the end of the season.