Sure I'm going to get slated for this and saying it's a knee jerk reaction, but after today's performance I honestly think we need to replace Lowes if we want to be SL.

Every time we come up against a team that won't allow the likes of Sidlow, Gaskell to run straight through them or against a coach with a bit of tactical knowledge, we come up short.

Its de ja vu with last year. We're a FT team going down hill in the second half (who have also just had a week off) against a PT team and we also have a 12 point lead and still don't win!

Our game management is embarrssing yet Lowes will persist with Addy who he can't see no wrong in. Sick of him having his favourites and not dropping them yet others don't even get a sniff of an oportunity.

The result isn't what concerns me. Its the coach not having a clue tactically, having no idea how to use his bench or squad, thinking Danny Addy is a no 7, and the team looking clueless in terms of game plan and how to close a game down.

Couldn't agree more

Marc Green's biggest mistake.

Why we never went for drop is beyond me!! Whilst I share/agree with some of your frustration, Gaskell or Addy should have taken charge at that point! That's not really down to Jimmy.

We stole a point against Leigh and gifted Batley one this week... Annoying but just got to take that one on the chin.

Whilst I agree I don't think Lowes is the man to take us up (cards on the table, I never have and I don't think any other club in our position would have appointed him - it's purely down to his history as a player he got the job imo) - you'd have to say what would the tipping point be, because I don't think today is anywhere near. Unless we go on a poor run that sees us doubtful to finish 4th in the main season it's unlikely that Lowes will do anything other than see out his contract.

He should have gone at the end of last season. His pigheadedness might have won him accolades as a player, but as a coach it is nothing but a detriment.
He is clearly lacking in several key areas. Most notably in terms of tactics. Against Leigh, prior to the game, the Leigh fans expected us to bash them out wide as they were fully aware of the limitations of their wide men. However, it took Lowes' team over an hour to figure this out and continued with the failed and easily countered tactic (if you can call it that) of trying to bash up the middle of the park. Once we started attacking the wings, we suddenly began breaking Leigh down and managed to salvage a draw.

There are a number of good quality coaches currently out of work and I really think that Lowes needs to step down. He's tried his best, but the job is beyond his ability.

I think he did enough last year to earn the right to get another crack in 2016 on the understanding that lessons were learnt from last year. Before the season kicked off I said he would need to have demonstrated that he has improved as a coach and the team are moving forwards under his coaching by May. As things stand I'm not convinced we are a better side than last year and I'm not convinced Lowes has the ability to get us into SL. Still early days but Ferres will have to make a judgement call sooner rather than later in time for the middle 8's.

I'd be keeping in touch with Brian Smith and what his thoughts are about coming back for a short term stint. With some backing, he could put some systems in place for the future. I think Wakefield missed a n opportunity by not backing him.

And the award for the most predictable thread this evening goes to.....

(My lad predicted it as we left the ground earlier

)

FWIW, I don't think there's any way Lowes will walk, and I highly doubt Marc Green will pull the trigger

I don't think he has the nouse to get us promoted, and I really don't see us getting promoted this year, sadly

It's a shame, because we all loved Jimmy as a player, but I think his coaching career will end this year with a series of heavy defeats in the Middle 8's, following which his contract won't be renewed and we'll move on.

Lowes may well be able to get us up - the Championship seems stronger across the board this year, but a little weaker at the top. Also, HKR seem to be joining Wakefield in the basket case camp.

However, there's no way he's good enough to get us up another level and make the Top 8s.

We have a FULL TIME team which should mean that training could possibly be, 8 hours a day 5 days a week at developing skills, fitness and tactics. Batley are a PART Time team which means they work at their chosen profession for 8 hours a day possibly more, then train 2 maybe 3 times a week at the same kind of training program we have. On Game day we are that poor we can only manage a draw, we should be running rings around these people.

Its about time the management and coaching staff ( Jimmy ) also a number of players had a hard look at themselves because we ARE a CHAMPIONSHIP team NOT an SL team in waiting and with things the way they are it WILL stay that way, so come on Bradford pull your fingers out.

I would not have a clue whether James Lowe's should be replaced or not and as he's not a very likeable person nor do I really care.
But I will tell you the biggest problem you have getting shut is your CEO Mr Ferres, when Ferres was at Wakey he was obsessed with signing Lowes and only gave up the ghost when Jimmy finally spelt it out for him and then went for Kear

Has any more come of the rumor that Jimmy was in (another) altercation with a fan after the final hooter?

Mentioned in the t&a article today.
I'm not Jimmy's biggest fan but can he solely be blamed for us dropping a point yesterday?
From his comments it sounds like we had the field position to drop a goal and the players messed it up - not sure what any coach could have done in that situation if our guys aren't smart enough to close the game out.

He could have had a better game plan then there wouldn't have been the need to go for a drop goal. Lowes has got by in this league by having more resources at his disposal and a full-time environment. With every below-par performance his stock diminishes and it was already pretty low as he's failed in every coaching job he's had.

Couldnt agree more, his time was up a long time ago if you ask me. Unfortunately, ferret isnt much better and i really cant see him instigating getting rid of Lowes...
Every week Lowes comes out with the same old excuses; blaming sub par performances on elements of the game which are purely down to coaching!
Lack of aggression, weak defence, poor game management and the inability to close out a game - all of these are factors which should be installed into a team by the man in charge. Our squad is more than good enough to run away with this league and put up a good show of ourselves in the middle 8's but unfortunately i cant see this ever happening whilst he's in charge.

Maybe we should all take lead from Arsenal's supporters and get some banners haha!

I have my reservations about Lowes but I don’t think yesterday can be pinned on him unless he’s turned down chances to bring in a decent playmaking halfback in order to start Addy there – which I doubt.

Agree with that.
Lowesy's brief is the same as last year - get us to the middle eights, which he'll do easily. I'm afraid my feelings about those games haven't changed though and neither Lowes, nor any other coach, can be blamed for not achieving the virtually impossible in such a skewed competition.

Its not as if the Team playing poorly early season is a new phenomenon for long suffering Bulls fans, we had enough of those under Matty Elliot, Nobby and Macca, so despite the underwhelming performances the Bulls haven't lost and they are showing the odd glimpse of being able to play. I suspect some of the lack of game management is down to the onfield Team leaders, I'm sure Jimmy would like to fix it but without a recognised scrum half who has the experience and the leadership required it's not going to be easy, there are a couple of older ex Bulls playing on the fringes of the NRL Clubs that may be worth asking if available even on loan!

I am sure Rob can turn this into a unique cash generating opportunity - ''A round with Jimmy'', whereby fans pay say £500 to go toe to toe after each game.

But what about Leigh the week before that?

This is my main gripe that we go on about being at a disadvantage come the middle 8s as we don't have enough competitive games. Yet the two competitive games we have been in we've come up short and seemingly had no idea how to win either. Leigh we deserved nothing out of and as I said Batley we had no game management.

Then Lowes in his interview is talking about how we only need to finish in the top 4. So it's not even top 2 to get that extra home game!! If he thinks we can get promoted with 3 home games he's deluded. Still think us having to go to Belle Vie twice last year cost us promotion.

That doesn't surprise me. That's Lowes pighead attitude down to a tee. I don't know if it's that he's incapable of admitting when he's in over his head or if he genuinely believes the guff he comes out with

I think he says half the stuff he says to try take the heat off the team - unless the team have been completely rubbish like in the first 60 in the Leigh game.

Surely it is way too early to be getting on his back - we haven't lost a game yet this season!!

We've dropped two points against two teams I'd never even heard of before we got relegated. I'm putting that in the loss column.

Don't post much on here anymore but I'll have my say for what it's worth.

I'm going to stick behind Jimmy until the end of the season for a few reasons:

1) We gave him a contract and so far he has done what was asked/expected. Top 2 finish and MPG is a successful season - like it or not we are a championship club.

2) We are unbeaten so far this season. Yes we have played poorly in spells but I see no benefit in spanking teams by 60 every week - we went within 10 mins of going up last season without getting out of 2nd gear in the regular season. Leigh set off like a house on fire and failed miserably when it mattered.

3) The more testing games we have the better IMO. We need to control games better, we need to kill teams off but having a real tussle we will learn more about some of the younger players.

4) If we were to sack Jimmy who would come in? What we need to take into account is who is available, who we can afford and who would be willing to step in. I doubt there are many coaches who tick all those boxes as well as having the ability to get us up.

We've made some decent signings, we're unbeaten so far and we seem to be safe off the field. Can't see what all the fuss is about!

I'm not claiming that he's the messiah but I will put my faith in Jimmy and the lads.

I've just listened to his post match interview- The irony is, he points the finger at the lack of game management yet beginning of the season he says "I don't need a 7" BUT what does a 7 (natural scrum half) do?? Manages a team around the park!!

I have no issue with Addy because he tries his best out of his preferred position, but To hear Jimmy suggest the fans are annoyed because we expect the likes of Batley to just simply lay down for us is ridiculous! He clearly misses the point that the fact Jimmy himself is also pointing out the problems we can all see - but fails to come up with any answers!!

And that top 4 bulle no reward for finishing at the top is further madness! So much so that it really makes me question if he actually believes his own rubbish or he is just saying it for another benefit.

I'm not a fan of sacking coaches but I'm certainly becoming less of a Jimmy fan at the moment.