Re: Bradford : Mon Aug 02, 2021 1:27 pm  

SingaporeFax wrote:

I'm not sure how effective Sion Jones will be this year when he comes back but I really thought he was a promising talent. He had that Fielden build and approach about him but obviously a leap to say he will ever be that standard. As well, Calcott has been very impressive too, put one some size and is a real asset in the forwards. So even if we don't bring in anyone to directly replace Springer, there are two young talents who are ready.

I said before the season started that we looked to have a really strong first 18 or 19 but outside of that unfortuntley our squad players will not stand out in the division below. Ive not seen anything to change my mind on that for most of those players. I do think Calcott has done well though when he has played but for whatever reason Grix does not seem a fan because unless he has been injured each game he played I think there were forwards who played worse. Having those players is fine though if our ambitions are just to make the top 6. If it is to become anything else though those players will not be getting a look in.

Re: Bradford : Mon Aug 02, 2021 2:30 pm  

First of all i thought saltonstall and mcomb were both very good on the wings and i don't see how you could drop mcomb next week on the back of a performance like that. And one of them should of got mom. The 2 points are always very welcome and credit to the players for getting themselves out of a bit of trouble at the end to get the win. I know there is not much we can do in the short term player wise we will have to go with what we have got but in the long term ie next season i think we need new halfbacks. The amount of times we blew chances 4 0n 3 3 on 2 and 2 on 1 i lost count in that second half. Grix kicking out on the full poor pass selection constantly going for the short ball and blowing chances out the back the only times we got it right when we had a overlap was for worthingtons try and saltys at the end we must of blown at least 6 chances with man over threw poor decision making and poor execution. I will give bradford credit for the way they scrambled in the defence they put in a far old effort to stop us scoring. But for me it feels like only a matter of time before this will cost us i just hope it is not in the playoffs when there is no second chances. Having listened to simons post match interview he does seem to acknowledge this but with the current personal i don't know if he can put it right.

Re: Bradford : Mon Aug 02, 2021 2:56 pm  

By the sound of some of the posts on here you’d think we weren’t sat 3rd in the league, with a very positive points difference as well - comfortably 3rd best in the league, 100 better than next team and conceded just 1 point more per game than Fev. We have a lean squad like most teams, other than Fev who could put 2 teams out that would still get them in the top 2. We can’t expect to have easy games, but when not at our absolute best but still beating very competitive teams around us, I’ll take that.

I was questioning the coach and some decisions at the start of the season but let’s give credit when its due; seems some are still looking for him to fail so they can say told you so.

Re: Bradford : Mon Aug 02, 2021 5:28 pm  

gizempo wrote:

By the sound of some of the posts on here you’d think we weren’t sat 3rd in the league, with a very positive points difference as well - comfortably 3rd best in the league, 100 better than next team and conceded just 1 point more per game than Fev. We have a lean squad like most teams, other than Fev who could put 2 teams out that would still get them in the top 2. We can’t expect to have easy games, but when not at our absolute best but still beating very competitive teams around us, I’ll take that.

I was questioning the coach and some decisions at the start of the season but let’s give credit when its due; seems some are still looking for him to fail so they can say told you so.

Spot on totally agree

Re: Bradford : Mon Aug 02, 2021 6:33 pm  

As expected a 50/50 game that thankfully swung our way , by the sounds of the interview on soundcloud there’ll be some changes as it seems grixs’ patience with some players and the game plan is wearing thin , 14 -4 up and start trying to play like the Harlem globe trotters when we should be consolidating the lead and seeing our sets .

However based on what I’ve seen in the highlights perhaps controversially I think Scott Grix should be dropped , he’s the one ‘ the old head ‘ throwing the ball out ,kicking the ball out on the full and defensively out of position for the first and last Bradford try and pointing the finger at everyone else .


Next game is Newcastle I would like to see Robinson back in with Harris , Grix had a good spell but he’s as defensively suspect has Harris but provides a weaker kicking game than both Robinson and Harris IMO .

Re: Bradford : Mon Aug 02, 2021 6:38 pm  

Listenup94 wrote:

However based on what I’ve seen in the highlights perhaps controversially I think Scott Grix should be dropped , he’s the one ‘ the old head ‘ throwing the ball out ,kicking the ball out on the full and defensively out of position for the first and last Bradford try and pointing the finger at everyone else .

Agree with this, as I said before not exactly the type of play that you want from an old head. To try and blame McComb who had chased across field to try and shut down the Bradford break when he probably should have done better himself was poor I thought from Grix. I think we all know he must be a player who does well on the stats list though.

Re: Bradford : Mon Aug 02, 2021 8:14 pm  

Definitely time to give Robinson another go - plays a more structured game is solid defensively and is also an excellent goalkicker. I would partner him with Grix as Harris while he tries hard creates very little when we are close to the opponents line. While not wanting to make the mistake we made against Oldham by taking them too lightly, several of our forwards look knackered; unless there are fitness issues we're not aware of I would bring in Calcott and Jones to add some size and enthusiasm to a pack which for long periods was second best against Bradford. Although 2 of my favourite players I would give Morris and Fairbank a break as they look like they need it.. Otherwise I'd leave the team unchanged - especially both wingers - Salty always runs harder than any forward and Mccomb made far more yards than either of the other possibles as well as showing the threat he can offer with broken field running.

Re: Bradford : Mon Aug 02, 2021 8:22 pm  

When Scott came into the halves with Connor being injured he had a couple of decent games with 2 mom performances.
What happens though is the opposition coaches soon work out the plays and game plan against them and he’s been sussed out.
Another reason to get Robinson (when fully fit) back in is his goal kicking, Liam’s done his best but the difference between them on the scoreboard is as good as a try and in tight games a win or loss.

Re: Bradford : Tue Aug 03, 2021 2:19 pm  

Listenup94 wrote:

As expected a 50/50 game that thankfully swung our way , by the sounds of the interview on soundcloud there’ll be some changes as it seems grixs’ patience with some players and the game plan is wearing thin , 14 -4 up and start trying to play like the Harlem globe trotters when we should be consolidating the lead and seeing our sets .

However based on what I’ve seen in the highlights perhaps controversially I think Scott Grix should be dropped , he’s the one ‘ the old head ‘ throwing the ball out ,kicking the ball out on the full and defensively out of position for the first and last Bradford try and pointing the finger at everyone else .


Next game is Newcastle I would like to see Robinson back in with Harris , Grix had a good spell but he’s as defensively suspect has Harris but provides a weaker kicking game than both Robinson and Harris IMO .

Spot on post couldn't agree more but i think you have more chance of seeing Moses than scott getting dropped.

Re: Bradford : Tue Aug 03, 2021 3:40 pm  

7 out of 7 wins since Grix has been at Stand off - not a bad stat to have. I suspect one of the main factors is his leadership and direction. I also think that's one of the main reasons he was previously preferred at full back - JWH is not the most vocal of players, but you need to be in that position. Plus whilst he has been at SO Liam Harris has been playing better. I agree though we haven't finished our sets very well lately, and with the territory we had on Sunday, particularly in the first half, we should have forced more repeat sets. But our kicking game wasn't particularly good at the start of the season either.

Like others, I'd be tempted to have Connor on the bench as a replacement 9 next week if he is fully fit. This gives us other options as well as we know Brandon can do long minutes.