: Wed Apr 22, 2009 6:22 pm  

Saint Simon wrote:

I think its more down to having no money at all, i cant imagine they are anywhere near cap with that squad, if they are they need more than shooting.

I have no doubt its down to money but there must be questions as to how they have ended up in that state ?

They had great crowds for a few years.
They had good success for a few years.
Somebody sanctioned signing Harris, despite the obvious concerns.
Where has the money gone from their success ?

If I were a Bulls fan, I'd be thinking somebody, somewhere has to answer for the catostrophic situation they have been put in. I see only one way for them and it isnt upwards. They look like fodder for a long time to me the Bulls and its a shame after what they offered the SL in its infancy.

: Wed Apr 22, 2009 6:56 pm  

Stirlingshire Saint wrote:

I have no doubt its down to money but there must be questions as to how they have ended up in that state ?

They had great crowds for a few years.
They had good success for a few years.
Somebody sanctioned signing Harris, despite the obvious concerns.
Where has the money gone from their success ?

If I were a Bulls fan, I'd be thinking somebody, somewhere has to answer for the catostrophic situation they have been put in. I see only one way for them and it isnt upwards. They look like fodder for a long time to me the Bulls and its a shame after what they offered the SL in its infancy.

The truth is that Saints and the Bulls were very similar, in stadia, crowds, success and both clubs had no money. Saints took the veiw that we will strive for the best players so we will win as much as poss and be in nearly all major finals, getting big crowds and winning prize money to pay for the players. The bulls board played it safe and massively reduced their wage bill and tried to live within their means. One tactic was very risky but has proved much more successful. I would doubt bulls are granted another franchise at this rate.

: Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:31 pm  

Saint Simon wrote:

One tactic was very risky but has proved much more successful.

That would possibly be down to the talent we have enjoyed in our team and in our coaching staff perhaps?

: Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:39 pm  

Saint Simon wrote:

The truth is that Saints and the Bulls were very similar, in stadia, crowds, success and both clubs had no money. Saints took the veiw that we will strive for the best players so we will win as much as poss and be in nearly all major finals, getting big crowds and winning prize money to pay for the players. The bulls board played it safe and massively reduced their wage bill and tried to live within their means. One tactic was very risky but has proved much more successful. I would doubt bulls are granted another franchise at this rate.

I don't think so.

The big crowds were based on free tickets, they were probably never rolling in cash, as we've never been. However the signing of Harris has bitten them on the booty, he's cost them a bomb cap wise and damaged their finances after fighting a costly court case. As such they have never been able to replace big game players, added to Noble slowly running them into the ground, followed by McNamara, who speeded the process up.

We've been lucky in a lot of respects, though good judgement plays a very large part, when we've lost players and coaches the scouting system and backroom decisions have paid off and we've never really missed anyone for any length of time. What if one of the coaching appointments hadn't worked out? Millward, for example, was a big gamble that could quite easily have failed. We could be in their position given a few poor choices.

: Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:43 pm  

Billinge_Lump wrote:

We could be in their position given a few poor choices.

Fortune favours the brave

long may we reign

: Thu Apr 23, 2009 12:34 am  

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 012416.stm Potters views on the pyce in squad situation

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 012416.stm Potters views on the pyce in squad situation

: Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:07 am  

Saint Simon wrote:

That is a truely poor bulls squad

If we had the injured nero, morrison, godwin, deacon and crookes it would make it better..if the authorities hadnt of turned bird down it would of made it better.
We have way too many average players who woudlnt get a gig at celts, we`d much rather put our kids in and write this season off but our esteemed leader doesnt want to play them as he said they not ready..thats why we skint, why pay platt 60k when you can have a 5k junior do as much as him.
Half of our squad is ooc end of season if we sign more average joes and no class then season ticket sales are gonna be next to nothing..wouldnt give our lass 100 pound house keeping money to eat beans on toast every night.

: Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:18 am  

ritz wrote:

If we had the injured nero, morrison, godwin, deacon and crookes it would make it better..if the authorities hadnt of turned bird down it would of made it better.
We have way too many average players who woudlnt get a gig at celts, we`d much rather put our kids in and write this season off but our esteemed leader doesnt want to play them as he said they not ready..thats why we skint, why pay platt 60k when you can have a 5k junior do as much as him.
Half of our squad is ooc end of season if we sign more average joes and no class then season ticket sales are gonna be next to nothing..wouldnt give our lass 100 pound house keeping money to eat beans on toast every night.

I never understand that way of thinking. If i was a manager of an underacheiving side i would play the kids as they would play with heart and the fans wouldn't be on your back as much as you are giving the kids a chance.

: Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:20 am  

Saint Simon wrote:

That is a truely poor bulls squad

I read a post on the Dulls forum a few days back that had the squad in it for the last time they beat us at KR (2005 IIRC) and the difference in quality is amazing.

: Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:23 am  

No1 Saint wrote:

I read a post on the Dulls forum a few days back that had the squad in it for the last time they beat us at KR (2005 IIRC) and the difference in quality is amazing.

Its almost unreal their fall from grace. TBH their pack isnt bad on paper, Langley, Burgess, Newton to name 3 are good players on their day, but they just dont seem to be doing a job, the back are a disgrace though, no place in superleague there