Re: IMG Score : Wed Oct 23, 2024 8:14 pm  

25 applicants for the role according to Hirsty..

Re: IMG Score : Wed Oct 23, 2024 8:26 pm  

bowlinboy wrote:

25 applicants for the role according to Hirsty..

I heard that in the inter too, England , france and Aus big names too, Cleary may be ready for the step up!

Good to hear that 2 new signings waiting want to play for us are ignoring contract offers to sign when the new coach is in

Re: IMG Score : Wed Oct 23, 2024 10:13 pm  

bowlinboy wrote:

25 applicants for the role according to Hirsty..

The good news is the new coach will be in position in three weeks time ready for pre-season.

Just a quick one on the IMG points, the 12.15 is definitely a score that will be boosted because moving forward it will be 13.275 in five weeks.

Then you have a number of crucial things occurring, not least the extra 0.44 points from the 2022 season dropping off.

There’s clearly a long way to go to Bradford being in the Super League under the current 12 team system. If that was to increase to 14 for the 2026 season as people are suggesting then Bradford and Toulouse would be the two teams who are promoted.

Re: IMG Score : Wed Oct 23, 2024 11:18 pm  

I'm a big believer in putting your efforts into the factors in your control.

Yesterday is done and dusted and is now the past, so little point bitching and whining about it now.

Fortunately, the club look to be doing the former. A competitive squad for 2025 with a genuine shot at winning some meaningful silverware. To Jason Hirst's point - that is what us fans want to see ultimately.

The incremental improvements do also make sense, especially as you can see things being done month to month with each visit to the stadium. Think the club should shout about this improvements on socials too (unless I've missed this?) - it will generate more interest and curiosity to see it in the flesh as it were.

Also good news the lease will be held by us in a few weeks, giving us more control of our own destiny. It's still the council that own the land though, right?

Re: IMG Score : Thu Oct 24, 2024 5:58 am  

Clearly the Bulls are making some investments that will scoop up a few more IMG points but hopefully the new director suite will also generate some income back into the club.

There is little point over stretching because firstly we don't have the rich backer to enable that and secondly the goal posts will undoubtedly move in the future - this is rugby league we will be into the next gimmick idea before long. It will all be wonderful and we will talk of expanding to new markets blah blah blah when what we should be focusing on is strengthening the core interest areas.

Not point trying to launch a new club somewhere exciting for a weekend away when the heartlands clubs are sinking.

Re: IMG Score : Thu Oct 24, 2024 7:55 am  

Totally agree Boxer. Those who's say "ah well put London, Toulouse in automatically" and come out with the usual hyperbole, soundbites of those you mention. It's arrogance and they just throw "little Englander/northerner" insults back at you. I'd love a strong London and two French teams in a strong 14 team competition. But you expand from a position of strength. Those who think the expansion clubs are the saviours are deluded.

London could be weeks away from not existing (13th strongest club apparently) Catalans have been in SL for twenty years and haven't brought any sponsors from France (which is why SL clubs rightly or wrongly now want them to fund flights) the final last year involving Catalans had 40% less viewers on sky. Then you look at the 50k CC final where the sport made a big loss from it. These are facts those who see themselves as "cosmopolitan forward thinking fans" don't face up to.

Don't confuse the above with me saying Catalans shouldn't be in as they're a strong club. They should be in SL. But they're not the saviours of the sport as the above shows.

Re: IMG Score : Thu Oct 24, 2024 1:59 pm  

MicktheGled wrote:

The good news is the new coach will be in position in three weeks time ready for pre-season.

Just a quick one on the IMG points, the 12.15 is definitely a score that will be boosted because moving forward it will be 13.275 in five weeks.

Then you have a number of crucial things occurring, not least the extra 0.44 points from the 2022 season dropping off.

There’s clearly a long way to go to Bradford being in the Super League under the current 12 team system. If that was to increase to 14 for the 2026 season as people are suggesting then Bradford and Toulouse would be the two teams who are promoted.

I would not be resting on our Laurels when we get up to 13.275 if I was Hirsty and Co I would be aiming to keep going as no doubt all the other clubs involved will also be looking to improve.
One thing I am looking forward to is hopefully a new coach bringing a change of culture and for the first time actually aiming to be the best team in the championship.
I just hope the fans get behind it.

Re: IMG Score : Thu Oct 24, 2024 2:08 pm  

bowlingboy wrote:

I would not be resting on our Laurels when we get up to 13.275 if I was Hirsty and Co I would be aiming to keep going as no doubt all the other clubs involved will also be looking to improve.
One thing I am looking forward to is hopefully a new coach bringing a change of culture and for the first time actually aiming to be the best team in the championship.
I just hope the fans get behind it.

This year we've been the best part-time team in the comp. And we've pushed Toulouse pretty hard.

Next year I don't think London will stay full-time, so it will be the usual suspects, Toulouse, York, ourselves, Fev etc. I think we can improve on this years 3rd place.

Re: IMG Score : Thu Oct 24, 2024 3:57 pm  

bowlingboy wrote:

I would not be resting on our Laurels when we get up to 13.275 if I was Hirsty and Co I would be aiming to keep going as no doubt all the other clubs involved will also be looking to improve.
One thing I am looking forward to is hopefully a new coach bringing a change of culture and for the first time actually aiming to be the best team in the championship.
I just hope the fans get behind it.

I certainly didn’t pick any of that up when spending the afternoon with Jason yesterday.

I see the 2025 Championship season wide open between Bradford, Featherstone, Toulouse, Sheffield and York.

With Bradford having realistic ambitions of winning the 1895 Cup (0.10 IMG points) and the Grand Final (0.25 IMG points).

If you look at the Leigh statement regarding Derek effectively buying IMG points through his generous contributions to the club, the same could be achieved at Bradford.

That is one way of Bradford becoming a Grade A club despite the limitations of Odsal. Easier said than done but Jason genuinely believes there is an opportunity for a genuine push towards the Super League in 2026.

Re: IMG Score : Thu Oct 24, 2024 4:02 pm  

MicktheGled wrote:

If you look at the Leigh statement regarding Derek effectively buying IMG points through his generous contributions to the club, the same could be achieved at Bradford.

So, who is going to give those "generous contributions" Mick?

Genuine question.

I've been a supporter for close to 50 years, and we've never had a money man able to do what Beaumont has done at Leigh (or Hudgell at Hull KR or Davy at Huddersfield etc etc). Why would one appear now when they never showed up in any of our many financial meltdowns?