[Chris71]

Re: Pre-season. : Mon Jan 15, 2024 2:37 pm  

Mr. Zucchini Head wrote:

I can see Balmforth getting a fair bit of game time this year. Nu Brown will probably chop and change a bit between the halves and hooker depending on injuries. So when he is playing in the halves I think Balmforth will be lined up to be the bench hooker spelling Houghton.

Tindall and McIntosh will start the season as the wingers but they both have a bit to prove. McIntosh improved a lot in the second half of last season but even with him I don't think it's a case of if he's fit he plays. Martin could definitely force his way in if he keeps performing well.

I think the 9 spot will be fought out between Houghton, Balmforth and Smith, with Brown likely in the halves most of the season alongside Hoy and then Trueman when fit. Seems to remember hearing or reading something where Smith said Brown had been signed to play in the halves.

Re: Pre-season. : Mon Jan 15, 2024 2:54 pm  

Chris71 wrote:

I think the 9 spot will be fought out between Houghton, Balmforth and Smith, with Brown likely in the halves most of the season alongside Hoy and then Trueman when fit. Seems to remember hearing or reading something where Smith said Brown had been signed to play in the halves.

Hopefully things go to plan and this could be our pivots at some point.

1 Walker
6 Hoy
7 Trueman
9 Houghton
13 Brown
14 Balmforth

Re: Pre-season. : Mon Jan 15, 2024 4:15 pm  

Chris71 wrote:

It was always going to be more about the performance than the result to gauge in a game situation how they'd cope not just in skill/talent but both physically and mentally against a strong opponent.
I think it's shown that the investment in youth and the work done by Riding & Shenton and now Cummins in nurturing the talent is and has been worth it.
These players aren't going to be thrown in to SL level week in week out, but should the need arise due to possible injuries/suspensions then they'll be more prepared for it and it would hopefully only be one or two at a time.
We do need an much more competitive reserve league in the game though to help develop the talent and help bring the promising young players through from the youth to the senior game consistently and in bigger numbers.

RFL missed a trick by not offering available League 1 places to several S/L clubs who want to have a meaningful weekly reserve fixture.
As more teams go out of business the addition of S/L clubs reserve sides in League 1 would have created that step up for younger players without having to go out on loan or duel reg and a pathway back for injured players without having to throw them in at the deep end when lacking match fitness

[Chris71]

Re: Pre-season. : Mon Jan 15, 2024 4:19 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

Chris71 wrote:

I think the 9 spot will be fought out between Houghton, Balmforth and Smith, with Brown likely in the halves most of the season alongside Hoy and then Trueman when fit. Seems to remember hearing or reading something where Smith said Brown had been signed to play in the halves.

Hopefully things go to plan and this could be our pivots at some point.

1 Walker
6 Hoy
7 Trueman
9 Houghton
13 Brown
14 Balmforth

For the first time in a long while we have genuine options/cover in the spine, Hoy/Walker/Litten at FB, Trueman/Brown/Hoy/Smith in the halves then Houghton/Balmforth/Smith/Brown and with some promising youngsters coming through.

As you say Brown would be a great option at 13 on Truemans return to the 17 especially if Hoy plays well in the halves & Walker well at FB during Truemans absence.

Think even with the limitations we have in the SR and on the wings and whilst accepting we aren't likely to trouble the teams at the top there's certainly reason to have a fair degree of optimism this coming season.

[Chris71]

Re: Pre-season. : Mon Jan 15, 2024 4:28 pm  

bonaire wrote:

Chris71 wrote:

It was always going to be more about the performance than the result to gauge in a game situation how they'd cope not just in skill/talent but both physically and mentally against a strong opponent.
I think it's shown that the investment in youth and the work done by Riding & Shenton and now Cummins in nurturing the talent is and has been worth it.
These players aren't going to be thrown in to SL level week in week out, but should the need arise due to possible injuries/suspensions then they'll be more prepared for it and it would hopefully only be one or two at a time.
We do need an much more competitive reserve league in the game though to help develop the talent and help bring the promising young players through from the youth to the senior game consistently and in bigger numbers.

RFL missed a trick by not offering available League 1 places to several S/L clubs who want to have a meaningful weekly reserve fixture.
As more teams go out of business the addition of S/L clubs reserve sides in League 1 would have created that step up for younger players without having to go out on loan or duel reg and a pathway back for injured players without having to throw them in at the deep end when lacking match fitness

I certainly agree with you there and think that the IMG stuff has meant that certain aspects seem to be overlooked. Its clear that most fans of the game can see there's little problem developing good youth players who are more than a match for their Southern Hemisphere counterparts at junior level but can see there an issue in getting these players to progress in to senior level. Think the long and short of it in simple terms is lack of opportunities at a high enough level week in week out. The RFL either need to sort out a proper and fully functioning Reserve League or allow SL clubs to enter Reserve teams in to League One.

Re: Pre-season. : Mon Jan 15, 2024 5:27 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

Hopefully things go to plan and this could be our pivots at some point.

1 Walker
6 Hoy
7 Trueman
9 Houghton
13 Brown
14 Balmforth

The one good thing is we've plenty of pace in the halves

We need go play to likes of hoys and Trueman strength which is running game

Remember when leeds played off the cuff in 2017 and had Joel moon at half back they unexpectedly won the GF

And imo we need to play off the cuff rugby which could surprise a few and who knows

If we go set for set we'll finish bottom 3

Re: Pre-season. : Mon Jan 15, 2024 7:28 pm  

Trys from yesterday are on Bradford's YouTube channel now

Re: Pre-season. : Tue Jan 16, 2024 8:29 am  

Hasbag wrote:

Trys from yesterday are on Bradford's YouTube channel now

Highlights on FC Live.

Re: Pre-season. : Tue Jan 16, 2024 2:26 pm  

https://youtu.be/IV78lx6F9uE?si=vt-xhPY3QZTAot_k Full game on Bradfords YouTube

https://youtu.be/IV78lx6F9uE?si=vt-xhPY3QZTAot_k Full game on Bradfords YouTube

Re: Pre-season. : Tue Jan 16, 2024 3:43 pm  

Going off his Instagram, wonder if we'll see a Nu Brown cameo on Sunday?