Re: Bradford : Mon Apr 13, 2015 8:16 am  

To a degree we need props but frankly that is not the main issue.

I think Everett is developing really well, Thackeray does the business, Dollapi leaves nothing on the field. Dave W is a Skolars player. Yesterday Rhys L (in fact both Rhys) had a nightmare, worst game so far.

The issue, half backs who can dominate. Potential is there, but in Oscar and Joe we are putting too much pressure on these guys. Tom G played yesterday but didn’t shine and anyway, he’s on dual reg.

Macani was awful yesterday, Ben H not playing to his best and Ben F, I don’t get this guys misses too many tackles and always shoots out of the line.

Dwyer had his quietest games, Minchella, Harrison and Garside competed well.

We went over their line 2 or 3 times but were held up.

Conditions were awful, but that’s no excuse for the display we witnessed.

I don’t think Bulls were far off their first choice side, we are missing a few key individuals, and we need to address the areas that need strengthening, quickly.

For me Ryan Bailey and Tony Puletua would be fine additions, plus a quality half.

Re: Bradford : Mon Apr 13, 2015 8:24 am  

Spot on!

Re: Bradford : Mon Apr 13, 2015 9:14 am  

Bulls had several missing from what I would consider as first choice side.....but squad is large and so it's difficult to pick 17. London pack struggled and would do against several other Championship sides .... need some added beef and soon. Size and experience is the way to go.

Re: Bradford : Mon Apr 13, 2015 9:33 am  

Half backs cant dominate until the props have got us field position, forwards are the main priority, get that right the we can see if the half backs are up to it or not.

Re: Bradford : Mon Apr 13, 2015 9:44 am  

Plum! Good post mate.

From what I have seen I think you are pretty spot on, we should be pretty mobile round the park but dont have the big grunt up the middle when its down to a slug fest. We should be trying to exploite what we have, but in poor conditions on heavy parks then its difficult.
Half backs set the platform for the forewards so you need both.
Rhys L IMO has been the stand out go forward for us. Toby E is developing but his inexperience shows up sometimes with hot head reactions to stuff, as you say Dave W is stepping up a level and seldom breaks the line. Thakers is the experienced head but lacking in game time but makes impact when he is on, just not on long enough sometimes. (maybe the plans for interchange rule change will force a re think next year on players fitness)

Oscar is still pretty inexperienced but has come on leaps and bounds, as you say maybe a bit too much reliance on him so early is not helping.

8ull5 hit the nail on the head with the difference I think, Bradfurt have a bigger squad to pick from so can absorbe injuries and their is competition for places in the squad, think our squad due to numbers tends to pick itself.

Tackle technique from our lads is interesting, we maybe getting 3 in the tackle but no one lifting the foot off the ground to stop the attacker making the extra mtrs.

Speed at PTB is vital in the game, we are still pretty poor at trying to regain or dominating the ruck.

Re: Bradford : Mon Apr 13, 2015 10:22 am  

Just watched the match highlights and although it's hard to get a real perspective on the game seeing short clips I was pleased we crossed the Bradford line 5 times (3 held up & 2 knock-on in goal decisions) but equally disappointed with how easy the first two Bradford tries were. Hopefully that result will be reversed with our home game against the Bulls. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCkWl7d ... freload=10

Just watched the match highlights and although it's hard to get a real perspective on the game seeing short clips I was pleased we crossed the Bradford line 5 times (3 held up & 2 knock-on in goal decisions) but equally disappointed with how easy the first two Bradford tries were. Hopefully that result will be reversed with our home game against the Bulls. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCkWl7d ... freload=10

Re: Bradford : Mon Apr 13, 2015 11:11 am  

Looking at the highlights I think were unlucky with a few decisions. I thought two of our chances may have been given.

Re: Bradford : Mon Apr 13, 2015 11:52 am  

Honkytonk wrote:

Looking at the highlights I think were unlucky with a few decisions. I thought two of our chances may have been given.

Possibly, but we didnt deserve to win.

Re: Bradford : Mon Apr 13, 2015 12:51 pm  

Looking at the highlights think it's clutching at straws a little to think we deserved any of the decisions. First half effort both the ref and touchy were well positioned to see if ball was grounded or not. The one in the second half where he dropped it over the line, again ref was in a good position to see if he kept hold and did not even look at his touchy so must have been sure of what he saw. Our sideline defence looked poor, couple of missed tackles to let em in.

Re: Bradford : Mon Apr 13, 2015 1:27 pm  

PC Plum wrote:

To a degree we need props but frankly that is not the main issue... ...The issue, half backs who can dominate...

Much easier for the half backs if the forwards have laid a platform and given them field position. A half back's kicking game always looks better inside their 30m area than inside his own.