Thoughts going into the season : Mon Jan 30, 2023 9:57 am  

So how's everyone feeling on the eve of the season? Thoughts on recruitment?

I feel much more content than when Doyle had signed for Keighley. Resigned myself to watching us in a relegation battle at that point. But credit to the management, I don't think we could have asked for a better off-season recruitment. Yes we would all like another prop, winger etc but I think most clubs are in that position. If you'd have told me we'd have signed Walker, Lawrence, Appo, I think we would have all had a good laugh.

We've addressed the culture issue by signing excellent pros and leaders in Thompson & Lawrence. We'll find out as the season goes on if it really has changed.

There's players I'm genuinely excited to watch next year (been a while since I've felt that way) Walker could tear the league apart if he stays fit. Appo I think will become a fans favourite.

Half-Backs! What a strange feeling having 4 genuine half backs, any of whom could be starters. I think Holmes, who has gone under the radar, is a superb signing.

As I said above, I'm actually looking forward to watching us this year. Not because I think we've a chance of promotion, but I feel we've a team we can get behind and enjoy watching play.

So here's to watching us endure a shock opening defeat against Whitehaven!

[Bullseye]

Re: Thoughts going into the season : Mon Jan 30, 2023 10:37 am  

Exactly my thoughts too, but with the caveat that it could all easily go wrong as usual. Still think we're short in the backs (centres and wings) but the forwards look healthier. Think if all goes according to plan then the top 5 is attainable.

Re: Thoughts going into the season : Mon Jan 30, 2023 2:55 pm  

Positives: Culture, Recruitment & Academy
I'm excited for the new season to begin. We've recruited well in key areas and as others have mentioned the culture around the players and club feels a lot more positive and professional. We have replaced some of our outgoing players with better quality new signings e.g. Walker, Lawrence, Arundel & Thompson and are giving some of the academy prospects game time. We have options in the halves for the first time in years and the doom and gloom appears to be lifting. Dunning and the players are talking the talk, now it is time to walk the walk. A good start to the season would set the tone for what hopefully will be a much more competitive season.

Another bonus it that the off-season didn't have any financial clouds hanging over it.

Areas of concern:
We are still light in some areas but I'm hopeful that those gaps in recruitment will be filled as the season unfolds. I can see us continuing our partnership with Leeds and taking some of their fringe players onboard to plug any gaps.

One final negative, the playing kits for this year are the worst we've seen since the Kooga days but I'll give that a pass if we start winning every week!

Re: Thoughts going into the season : Mon Jan 30, 2023 4:47 pm  

There does seem to be a whiff of enthusiasm and optimism at the moment, let’s hope we don’t come down to earth with a bump on Sunday. The financial side of things seems under control, we’ve heard no whispers of anything to the contrary and the squad assembled looks as good as it has for a while Could we even tempt a few of the forum members to join www.bullssquadbooster.co.uk and continue the momentum we have with fundraising towards the excellent signings we’ve made and generating more funds for further good recruitment down the line?

There does seem to be a whiff of enthusiasm and optimism at the moment, let’s hope we don’t come down to earth with a bump on Sunday. The financial side of things seems under control, we’ve heard no whispers of anything to the contrary and the squad assembled looks as good as it has for a while Could we even tempt a few of the forum members to join www.bullssquadbooster.co.uk and continue the momentum we have with fundraising towards the excellent signings we’ve made and generating more funds for further good recruitment down the line?

Re: Thoughts going into the season : Tue Jan 31, 2023 2:49 pm  

I feel more positive at the end of the off season than the start of it, so thats something, and I like most of the recruitment - just need to see how it pans out in games that matter now. Also as dddooommm says, v happy that finances haven't been a talking point for once!

My biggest area of concern is Odsal still, not the massive redevelopment, that was never going to happen - more just the state of what we already have. It was an unpleasant experience visiting last year, with the ridiculous pitch dimensions and a dirty feel to everything after the stock cars ran. If we cant clean up what we have and return the pitch to something closer to a standard size then I'll probably stick to more away games than home, which isnt good for the club and is a shame, but as I already travel 40 mins to Odsal it doesn't make much difference to me.

[Bullseye]

Re: Thoughts going into the season : Tue Jan 31, 2023 8:06 pm  

Interesting point. The stadium is a massive drag factor on the club. Who knows what's next. Seems talks are afoot.. https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... l-26122292

Interesting point. The stadium is a massive drag factor on the club. Who knows what's next. Seems talks are afoot.. https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... l-26122292

Re: Thoughts going into the season : Thu Feb 02, 2023 12:20 pm  

Only option RE:Odsal is sell it for clean landfill pull Dunnies down dump it in the hole and then build a 14k seater stadium ala LSV over the road.
Either that or bring in an investment group with naming rights to the new Odsal stadium where it stands.
Which I don't think either Nige or Hirsty have the contacts or Knowledge to do, CAP in hand to the council was their plan.
Maybe now its cap in hand to Caddick?
Said it before though no stadium no Super League I don't think IMG will be fobbed off with an artists impression like Cas and Wakey have got away with for years.
Infact I will double post this in the stadium thread too..

Re: Thoughts going into the season : Fri Feb 03, 2023 3:19 pm  

Recruitment looks decent on paper.

Will try get to a couple of games if that translates into a change in attitude and performance.

Re: Thoughts going into the season : Sat Feb 04, 2023 3:46 am  

Echo many sentiments on here. I’m very happy with the quality of depth in the halves which makes a change!

Not as happy with the depth in the backline. Blackmore, Arundel, Gill and DFJ are alright but feel we still need a winger and a centre. I think our next option is Jaden Myers who hasn’t played a game yet. So deffo feel we need a couple of bodies there.