Re: 2017 Squad : Tue Aug 09, 2016 8:44 am  

I've no issue with any of those players leaving. If they had performed then we wouldn't be in the situation we're in now.

Don't know much about the London players mentioned but I'm guessing that they must have played better than most of our blokes this year. Alex Fosters profile says 2nd row or centre. Hate seeing that.

Re: 2017 Squad : Tue Aug 09, 2016 8:51 am  

Looks like Smith is heading for the much needed clear out. On the face of it its disappointing to lose some players but really got to ask if they have been worthy of staying after the last 2 years. Seen a lot of posts on other sites/social media slating the signings from London, but look at what Cas did signing quite a few of their relegated team and look how that turned out for them

Re: 2017 Squad : Tue Aug 09, 2016 9:16 am  

London players achieved something this year. That's a tick in the box to start with but will they help sell season tickets? One suspects not. The Bulls will need to make a couple of relatively high profile signings on top of signings like these if they are to reignite the fans interest after the last couple of years.

It's a shame for London who seem to lose players en mass each year. It must be connected to the high cost of living in the area set against the championship wage.

Re: 2017 Squad : Tue Aug 09, 2016 9:21 am  

Hopefully add Lovegrove to that list too.

Ross says Olbison is looking for a club for next year. I'm assuming by that he hasn't been offered a new contract? He's has been poor this year though.

[Bullseye]

Re: 2017 Squad : Tue Aug 09, 2016 9:29 am  

I think a move would potentially do Olbison good. I do have my doubts about whether he's anything other than steady championship quality at best. He looked like he'd broken through last year but has gone backwards since.

We need more size and aggression in the pack. We've not had it since we had the likes of Elima in the side. Clark has it and he and Clough are the only two I'm really sorry to lose.

Re: 2017 Squad : Tue Aug 09, 2016 9:57 am  

Bullseye wrote:

I think a move would potentially do Olbison good. I do have my doubts about whether he's anything other than steady championship quality at best. He looked like he'd broken through last year but has gone backwards since.

We need more size and aggression in the pack. We've not had it since we had the likes of Elima in the side. Clark has it and he and Clough are the only two I'm really sorry to lose.

I have to say I am disappointed to hear we're losing Lauaki and Pitts. Lauaki was never given a fair chance under Lowes becuase we never utilized him correctly. Yes I agree he did arrive a little under cooked and unfit, but there were times when he was ready to offload and we just had nobody in support to take advantage - that was down to poor coaching. In a short space of time under Rohan he has completely changed his attitude and we were seeing really good things from him - to the point where he was on occasion our best man on the pitch. I can't help but feel with a good off season under Rohan to really get his fitness back up, Lauaki would give us some of that size, power and aggression we've been lacking.

As for Pitts, he has been one of our most consistent performers. A real workhorse every single time he takes the field and sadly has had very little recognition for his endeavours.

Re: 2017 Squad : Tue Aug 09, 2016 10:00 am  

Margrin and Ioane i'd be OK with. We need props. Macani doesn't excite me one bit. Would be very disappointed to lose Pitts.

We will have a better squad than next year simply because we will have a quality spine. You can get props, back-rowers, centres pretty easily throughout the year with loan signings. Decent FB'S SHs, you simply can't as we found out. Smith won't make the same mistakes of bringing in random players who weren't improve our squad.

Think Smith will have some aces up his sleeve. Look at Kieren Moss . Ioane has some aggression (I think) which we've been badly lacking. Another big tough, even grubby prop will do.

Smiths making changes, Don't think he's happy with our physical condition and has brought in his brother to do the strength and conditioning. Looking forward to seeing us after Smith has a pre-season with them.

Re: 2017 Squad : Tue Aug 09, 2016 10:14 am  

I think that a big clear out at the end of this year will be good for the team. I feel that there needs to be a fundamental attitude shift in regards to the status of the team and that no one is going to roll over for us, a fact that despite 2 years of teams coming to Odsal looking to take the game to Bradford, many established first teamers do not seem to have grasped.

We've a decent core going into 2017 and hopefully Smith will be able to forge his team to push on next year

Re: 2017 Squad : Tue Aug 09, 2016 11:08 am  

Sensei-Bull wrote:

London players achieved something this year. That's a tick in the box to start with but will they help sell season tickets? One suspects not. The Bulls will need to make a couple of relatively high profile signings on top of signings like these if they are to reignite the fans interest after the last couple of years.

It's a shame for London who seem to lose players en mass each year. It must be connected to the high cost of living in the area set against the championship wage.

As I understand it, Alex Forster is missing home, Magrin and macini weren't offered new deals (both London lads) I dont think Ioane is leaving London

Re: 2017 Squad : Tue Aug 09, 2016 11:34 am  

linebacker53 wrote:

As I understand it, Alex Forster is missing home, Magrin and macini weren't offered new deals (both London lads) I dont think Ioane is leaving London

Correct on all points! (Except it's 'Foster')

Ioane has denied the rumour.