Errr, how cant you? Did Sam Burgess look good enough for SL at that age?

If either are 1st team regulars in a couple of years I'll eat my hat.

Both far to small and no abilities that sets them apart from the rest IMO.

Lillycrop, another that you thought was nailed on to break through yet seems to have fallen by the wayside.

What does his tweet say, cant update it from link. Presume something about Herbert and not good news?

Is it?

Sam Burgess is a FREAK. Even compared to his brothers, who aren't on the small side.

You're clearly talking out of your

as you constantly show no comprehension of player development both in terms of skills and physical growth.

For the last few seasons our fitness has paled in comparison to the clubs competing at the top...this coupled with the fact that we have managed to pick up a fair few injuries that are generally fairly serious I have also had major doubts about the people in charge of fitness and the medical staff. Geoff Evans may have been part of st helens successful tenure but he doesnt seem to be working for us. last season and so far at the start of this I wouldnt say we looked fit enough to last 80 mins and really it is not good enough. Until the team can last or play the full 80 we won't get back to winning ways. I am not saying that we are out of contention already because we have had a very difficult start to the season but I would definitely say that this weekend needs to be a much fuller performance from the team!

Who cares what he is, he clearly showed he was good enough for SL at such a young age as many do and many dont. That is how I can say I think somebody wont make it.

We'll see. Neither will ever be big enough or skillful enough.

So no half backs again, oh joy.
Still at least we will get a nice day out.

Fine. Show me 20 other 17 year olds who have same physical development as Sam Burgess did at that age.

Its not all about physical development.
Youve got to have some attribute that makes you stand out from the rest, neither CS or AO'B do IMO.

We'll see anyway. Neither will make it IMO.

lucky for Bradford your opinion isn't the one that counts as you've clearly no idea.

Unlucky for Bradford theyll have wasted thousands trying to develop lads into SL players that more than likely will fall short along the way.

Think you're being a bit harsh on O'Brien, looks a very good prospect to me.

Don't get drawn in. He has no clue what he's talking about.

Back on topic..

Re: Herbert, this tweet from Connor gives me a little bit more encouragement about his condition, because I was starting to get frustrated:

First time they've hinted at it being a tear as opposed to just a strain. Althout that is just connors opinion rather anything official. would make more sense of length of time he's been missing.

There's also this, insinuating it hopefully isn't too bad in response to someone asking how long he's gonna be out:



It's right that the club are taking all the necessary precautions two games into the season.

That's fine. You do, I dont.
No problemo.

HBs tend to show at a younger age, they tend to be most skilful & quick of the smaller players. The only class HB who seemed to escape at a young age was Sean Long from what I remember.

Having seen the Crusaders last week, I'd tip you lot comfortably here. Sammut apart, they were mediocre. They have plenty of size and Sammut is quality but they lacked guile last week, and should have broken us down more than they did. A more mobile, skilfull team than us would also have scored more tries.

I dont care how well the crusaders are starting off the year and if bulls have no half backs. The time for excuses are over!!! we must start concentrating on games instead of blaming refs and quota spots for other teams etc! Our pack on paper should destroy crusaders pack! but we are on about bulls i guess rnt we! on paper even without half backs we shud quite easily get the 2 points. So then my team would be:

Royston
Ainscough
Walker
Platt
Raynor
Ah Van
Kearney
Hargreaves
Diskin
Lynch
Whitehead
Elima
Addy

Bench: Lestrange, Scruton, Donaldson, Kopzack

Think donno might get the shout this weekend if fit... Ah van im not sure about at 6 BUT he cant be any worse than sykes can he? Regardless this team should win this game comfatably. But bulls are bulls and make life hard for there selves. Anyway thats my team. Thoughts???

So that's one half back between two teams. Gonna be a cracker!

Can't disagree with that.

Ainscough must be chomping at the bit to come into the side. So moving Ah Van to 6 and Ainscough taking his place on the wing makes sense to me.

I'd also start with Diskin, rather than L'Estrange. We look stronger with Diskin on the field, and L'Estrange's running style would better suit a hooker coming off the bench and taking on tired defences.

Judging from his Twitter feed, he is.

Not in the squad

Once Donaldson is fit enough to play, I'd expect him to get a game or two in the U20s before he comes back into the first team anyway (unless we're desperate). Better to let him get some match fitness back at that level before throwing him back into Super League, bearing in mind he's still a young bloke.