But Armitage hasn't played since last year. Hasn't had a pre-season and the Cas game will likely be the fastest game we'll face all year. It's asking for trouble. Armitage can be eased back in against London where it should be a comfortable day. Gills not exactly a liability.

[quote="Bull Mania":1l1ksg94]But Armitage hasn't played since last year. Hasn't had a pre-season and the Cas game will likely be the fastest game we'll face all year. It's asking for trouble. Armitage can be eased back in against London where it should be a comfortable day. Gills not exactly a liability.[/quote:1l1ksg94] He can be sinbinnings against Toulouse would beg to differ armitage schooled him and myers

[quote="Pyrah123":2jovhf64]Waine isnt a middle though he is a second rower and will make meters for fun which could be invaluble against cas michael has more aggression than LBB and a better offload imo - will be interesting ti see how we go[/quote:2jovhf64] Right. This all comes back to preseason. Waine is a 2nd row, although London played him at prop a fair bit. You put up the suggestion we take out one of our specialist props (LBB) and replace him witha 2nd rower, who can play a bit of prop. I didn’t really follow that. Waine isn’t going to shift Gee or Fulton (yet) and Scurr and Pele are the impact props. So that leaves Michael I suppose so are we looking at Michael as a specialist prop? Or a prop/2nd rower. We’ve only 1 competitive game to look at I suppose. A lot of this is interchangeable these days but I would say we had 5 middles (Bruno, LBB, Scurr, Pele, Michael) and 3 2nd rowers (Fulton, Gee, Donno) in the 17. If Waine is getting in, either we drop a 2nd rower or Nobby has to adjust his ratio of 5:3 for middles & 2nd rower. I think. On a drier track, I think Waine for Michael is a good shout. For this weekend, we keep as it is.

When Nobby picked Michael at loose forward for the friendly vs Keighley and put him on the bench versus Huddersfield and then against Doncaster it showed to me that he likes to have a bit of size on the bench. The Doncaster game was the real telling selection - going with LSS, Pele and Michael on the bench with Lilley. Did anyone ask Nobby to explain that selection? I'm intrigued because Michael is a very different player to Donaldson and Michael came on to play at loose forward. Is Donaldson not fit? Or was it the gameplan to really put pressure on Doncaster down the middle with ever bigger lads coming on? I guess that for games on a small heavy pitch like Odsal it makes sense to have a lot of big lads in the 17. I'm sure Waine could play as an extra prop like Michael if he comes on and plays at no 13. It's whether we want to be sparing with Donaldson or not.

Lawrence can rotate to 13 as well. I suppose you look at what happens with injuries. If a prop is injured, we still have 4 props in the 17. If a 2nd rower is injured, either Lawrence or Michael go to loose. If a centre is injured, Fulton is the obvious cover option. Lilley can play halves & FB

Scurr is the starting prop at the moment with Lawrence so on the bench is 2 props Michael and Pele plus waine LBB to miss out from last week.fantastic impact from the bench that is how I would go .maybe also start Lilley in the halves for this game.

I'd keep Meadows and Keyes together. Having two good kickers of the ball is already showing a massive improvement on last year. Lilley is decent but his kicking game isn't as good as theirs.

[quote="Bullseye":hg01fyvl]I'd keep Meadows and Keyes together. Having two good kickers of the ball is already showing a massive improvement on last year. Lilley is decent but his kicking game isn't as good as theirs.[/quote:hg01fyvl] Id keep meadows and keyes together also meadows n eds time to settle in its a new partnership bonkers we are able to have these debates

Anyone any idea how ticket sales are going? Still yet to get mine.

The early kick off unfortunately made the decision for me - we won't make it for that time.

It'll be interesting to see how much the attendance is affected by the bbc coverage and early kick off. I'll be struggling to get there for 1 o'clock due to existing commitments, but I'll be trying my best. It'd be a real shame if we don't get a decent turn out. Fingers crossed that those that can make it, do make it and bring a few extra quid into the clubs coffers.

https://www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/article ... urO8jONlbg

https://www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/article ... urO8jONlbg

Our strongest possible 21 squad. Not sure I would risk Armitage in such a high stakes game. I would go with the same squad that faced Doncaster with Waine, Liu, Hallas and Armitage missing out.

Bayliss,liu,hallas and gill to miss out would think for me.

Looking at the Sheffield v Wigan and York v HKR scorelines really illustrates the gap between championship and superleague. We certainly have our work cut out. Still looking forward to tomorrow and hopefully a good showing.

If Cas play at anywhere near SL level they will have too much for us. I would settle for strong performance that gives them a fright. The refereeing will be a little different as well, discipline will be key for us.

The York game really shows the gap between a good championship team and a good SL team. A lot of Bulls fans on Facebook seem to be expecting a Bulls upset but I think that it'll be extremely difficult. Cas may be a lower end SL side but they should have the beating of us.

In fairness Wigan won every trophy there is to win last year and Hull Kr were the second best team in the comp Fax pushed Catalans all the way today. That being said there's clearly a gap and I expect a Cas win of around 12-18 points tomorrow. As long as we're competitive, I'll be happy.

[quote="Bull Mania":353greos]In fairness Wigan won every trophy there is to win last year and Hull Kr were the second best team in the comp Fax pushed Catalans all the way today. That being said there's clearly a gap and I expect a Cas win of around 12-18 points tomorrow. As long as we're competitive, I'll be happy.[/quote:353greos] I personally think if there was to be an upset then i think it would be this game,i feel york are massively hyped as a squad but to not even score a try second best team or not is poor. It will be a low scoring game tomorrow and imo willonly be 1/2 tries in it… cas budget 7/800k more than ours

All the best for this afty. Your old mate, Bongser, will be tuning-in in hope Tall order, yes, but....

Good luck to The Bulls today and I'll be watching with interest , having watched our friendly against Cas a fortnight ago I can tell you they have a huge weakness in the middles which you can exploit through Lawrence and Pele . The Bulls were the only team really last season that could match up with Trinity in those middles and I think you'll get some joy today . A tight game for sure but I think you can do it . It goes without saying from Wakefield Trinity , please beat the buggas .

CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE AT THE BULLS. A MAGNIFICENT TEAM PERFORMANCE ONWARDS AND UPWARDS

What a tremendous effort from all at the club - a massive result against SL opposition. Enjoy your evening!!

Amazing effort from the team, that last 10 minutes was excruciating but certainly one to savour. Can't wait for the league to start next week. COYB

What a result for the club! Incredible effort to hang on at the death. Any news on Keyes?