: Sun Mar 15, 2009 8:43 pm  

I think it’s always hard to take when a successful side like the Bulls go into decline (especially if you’re a bull's fan) to me the direction on the park isn't there.
The packs takes care of its self but the backs and at half back are poor with no real competition for places.

Don’t know if it’s McNamara or not but Bradford cant out muscle teams anymore and even when you where successful you never had a plan B.

: Sun Mar 15, 2009 8:53 pm  

Irish Tyke wrote:

James Lowes

I said the same at the game today....

: Sun Mar 15, 2009 8:53 pm  

Bradford have recruited really badly IMO

to be fair to Mcmanara a big squad overhall would have been needed even if Noble had stayed due to age, and the union defections of Hape and Vainikolo.

but just who's idea was it to bring in Ben Jeffries? he is bottom of SL/championship standard at best and struggles to make an impact in so many games.

and Steve Menzies has been a fine player, but did Bradford really need another forward so desperately? when the halves and the backs are so poor, and at age 35 he isn't one to build a team around.

in the glory days yes they would steamroller teams, but they had a good backline to finish of the chances. Now the ball gets to the backs and chances are just bombed.

the scoreline flattered them today, and Hull really do need to begin killing off games if we want to challenge for the title.

: Sun Mar 15, 2009 8:55 pm  

UllFC wrote:

Bradford have recruited really badly IMO

to be fair to Mcmanara a big squad overhall would have been needed even if Noble had stayed due to age, and the union defections of Hape and Vainikolo.

but just who's idea was it to bring in Ben Jeffries? he is bottom of SL/championship standard at best and struggles to make an impact in so many games.

and Steve Menzies has been a fine player, but did Bradford really need another forward so desperately? when the halves and the backs are so poor, and at age 35 he isn't one to build a team around.

in the glory days yes they would steamroller teams, but they had a good backline to finish of the chances. Now the ball gets to the backs and chances are just bombed.

the scoreline flattered them today, and Hull really do need to begin killing off games if we want to challenge for the title.

I said that too....

: Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:03 pm  

Bradfords "Glory Days" are over, finished a long time ago, You've only got to look at the team from the 2005 Grand Final-

Withers, Pryce, Harris, Hape, Vainikolo, Harris, Deacon, Peacock, Henderson, Peacock, Johnson, Meyers, Radford, Subs: Paul, Langley, Morley, Vagana

Of that team, only 2 are still at the Bulls, yet 6 Still play Super League. and some are in the NRL as well,

Keeping that squad together plus some other top signings would have ensured continued success. For one reason or another that hasn't happened.

Re: Bradford - is that it then ? : Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:10 pm  

GIANT DAZ wrote:

is this latest hammering the final nail in the Bulls Super League glory days coffin ?

does this confirm they are now not one of Super League's big boys anymore and should be put in the same group of teams like Huddersfield,Wakefield,Hull etc - the middle section of Super League if you like or will they still be around for years as one of the big 3 /4 ?

BTW this is not a troll just a genuine post to see what people's opinions are of the demise of the once mighty Bulls

no eddie will still say there one of the big 4 the next time there on the telly as he does with wigan everytime

: Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:22 pm  

i actually think the trouble with bradfords is there halves after watching ben jeffries at wakefield hes the kind of player who can be brilliant but thats one game in ten the other nine he can be non existant, and deacon is just too slow he makes andy coley look like usain bolt if it was a draft system he would be my 14th choice at scrum half

: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:07 pm  

Some folk might say it's unfair to bag the coach without havng all the background information but McNamara handed out 3 year deals to the likes of Platt & Godwin which can only lead to decline.

: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:11 pm  

Brew wrote:

Bradfords "Glory Days" are over, finished a long time ago, You've only got to look at the team from the 2005 Grand Final-

Withers, Pryce, Harris, Hape, Vainikolo, Harris, Deacon, Peacock, Henderson, Peacock, Johnson, Meyers, Radford, Subs: Paul, Langley, Morley, Vagana

Of that team, only 2 are still at the Bulls, yet 6 Still play Super League. and some are in the NRL as well,

Keeping that squad together plus some other top signings would have ensured continued success. For one reason or another that hasn't happened.

Exactly! Bradford have replaced world class players (Hape and Vianakolo in this example) with mediocre players, that left hand side was their strong point for years, and now they have nothing interms of attacking flair. Any team that lost Peacock and Feilden in such a short period would also struggle massively

: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:20 pm  

Tbh the way I see it now is:

Clear top 2-Leeds and Saints

Clear bottom 2-Celtic and Salford

and anyone else could finish in the play-offs and have a good chance in the cup.