No it's not news, been that way for three seasons, props, props, our club for some props!

But from the lads who went to the game, it sounds like our guys put in a shift, not often you drive that far, lose by over twenty points failing to get a single try and come all the way back home and don't seem gutted, but they really weren't.

we are currently on a minus +/-figure 70 points behind 4th spot. We are averaging 18 points a game at the moment
14 games left with 4 of those against teams 1,2 and 3rd.....we need to start racking up some points against the lower teams.

So 14 games to go. Agree need to start winning games by a bigger margin but no point in being Chicken Lickin this early.

Well they always say there is a second half to the season,but unfortunatley thats a Superleague term.Other teams will also get stronger,lets not forget that.

Only pointing out that the +/- scenario is that we are 70 points behind 4th spot and that we have 10 games where we can realistically make a dent in that. Ideally, we win all 10 and negate the need to worry about +/-

So is 5 Props in a match day squad not enough then these days???!! :/

We need battle hardened mongrels not kids from the U19s and converted second rowers. Besides I can only relate what both the boys who went to the game said and what I heard from the radio commentary team, Bradford, as a squad, looked bigger, and when it came to defending the 10 meter line it was the clear difference between the two sides, thats what those who saw it said.

so. To clarify.....those who were there said it, those who were there supporting Bradford have said it, those who have heard from those who were there have relayed it and yet still, we are light on props?
Not sure who to blame here given that we've heard we are light on props for over 3 years now........maybe the guy paying the wages?

We need props....... Why sign Elliot Kear then!!

To a degree we need props but frankly that is not the main issue.

I think Everett is developing really well, Thackeray does the business, Dollapi leaves nothing on the field. Dave W is a Skolars player. Yesterday Rhys L (in fact both Rhys) had a nightmare, worst game so far.

The issue, half backs who can dominate. Potential is there, but in Oscar and Joe we are putting too much pressure on these guys. Tom G played yesterday but didn’t shine and anyway, he’s on dual reg.

Macani was awful yesterday, Ben H not playing to his best and Ben F, I don’t get this guys misses too many tackles and always shoots out of the line.

Dwyer had his quietest games, Minchella, Harrison and Garside competed well.

We went over their line 2 or 3 times but were held up.

Conditions were awful, but that’s no excuse for the display we witnessed.

I don’t think Bulls were far off their first choice side, we are missing a few key individuals, and we need to address the areas that need strengthening, quickly.

For me Ryan Bailey and Tony Puletua would be fine additions, plus a quality half.

Spot on!

Bulls had several missing from what I would consider as first choice side.....but squad is large and so it's difficult to pick 17. London pack struggled and would do against several other Championship sides .... need some added beef and soon. Size and experience is the way to go.

Half backs cant dominate until the props have got us field position, forwards are the main priority, get that right the we can see if the half backs are up to it or not.

Plum! Good post mate.

From what I have seen I think you are pretty spot on, we should be pretty mobile round the park but dont have the big grunt up the middle when its down to a slug fest. We should be trying to exploite what we have, but in poor conditions on heavy parks then its difficult.
Half backs set the platform for the forewards so you need both.
Rhys L IMO has been the stand out go forward for us. Toby E is developing but his inexperience shows up sometimes with hot head reactions to stuff, as you say Dave W is stepping up a level and seldom breaks the line. Thakers is the experienced head but lacking in game time but makes impact when he is on, just not on long enough sometimes. (maybe the plans for interchange rule change will force a re think next year on players fitness)

Oscar is still pretty inexperienced but has come on leaps and bounds, as you say maybe a bit too much reliance on him so early is not helping.

8ull5 hit the nail on the head with the difference I think, Bradfurt have a bigger squad to pick from so can absorbe injuries and their is competition for places in the squad, think our squad due to numbers tends to pick itself.

Tackle technique from our lads is interesting, we maybe getting 3 in the tackle but no one lifting the foot off the ground to stop the attacker making the extra mtrs.

Speed at PTB is vital in the game, we are still pretty poor at trying to regain or dominating the ruck.

Just watched the match highlights and although it's hard to get a real perspective on the game seeing short clips I was pleased we crossed the Bradford line 5 times (3 held up & 2 knock-on in goal decisions) but equally disappointed with how easy the first two Bradford tries were. Hopefully that result will be reversed with our home game against the Bulls. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCkWl7d ... freload=10

Just watched the match highlights and although it's hard to get a real perspective on the game seeing short clips I was pleased we crossed the Bradford line 5 times (3 held up & 2 knock-on in goal decisions) but equally disappointed with how easy the first two Bradford tries were. Hopefully that result will be reversed with our home game against the Bulls. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCkWl7d ... freload=10

Looking at the highlights I think were unlucky with a few decisions. I thought two of our chances may have been given.

Possibly, but we didnt deserve to win.

Looking at the highlights think it's clutching at straws a little to think we deserved any of the decisions. First half effort both the ref and touchy were well positioned to see if ball was grounded or not. The one in the second half where he dropped it over the line, again ref was in a good position to see if he kept hold and did not even look at his touchy so must have been sure of what he saw. Our sideline defence looked poor, couple of missed tackles to let em in.

Much easier for the half backs if the forwards have laid a platform and given them field position. A half back's kicking game always looks better inside their 30m area than inside his own.

We kicked a 40/20, 2 plays later we dropped the ball.

And I think the reason that happens is because we never have dominant possession in dangerous areas often enough so they panic , think they have to score on every occasion as where not up here that often so they end up forcing it rather than building pressure by forcing a drop out or turning the ball over on there line , a bigger pack will give us more territory.

I'm with PC Plum.

The problem is the spine of side. Of 1-6-7-9, only Dwyer is consistently creating opportunities. Indeed, he has been instrumental in about a third of our tries. Trouble is, he is a one-trick pony (show right, step to left) and teams will learn to close him down. (He may have more tricks - he currently only needs one).

Watch the Bradford highlights and you'll see we have plenty of attacking field position and it almost all revolves around Dwyer or one pass from dummy half. Where are 6, 7 and 1 screaming for the ball and organising runners? It's been the same story all season and it's the reason we don't pull away in games we are dominant in and it's the reason the better sides can shut us out.

Hellewell is a good runner of the ball but offers nothing creative at 1. He is a novice there but a decent right centre. OT and Keyes are also struggling at 6 - perhaps either would go OK with a dominant 7 and 1 but we seem to have shrinking violets in these positions. It's a shame Mathers and Barthau are a way off fitness. Gilmore is the best of the current selection but I'm not even sure he trains with side!

What to do? With no reinforcements, I'd move Naiqama to 1 and Farrar to 6. Not ideal but at least they have some experience in these positions. The three novices at 1, 6 and 7 isn't working.

I thought Hellewell has looked pretty decent at FB. Macani has bombed too many chance s for me.

Hellewell played FB all the time in our academy.

Waisale Ligani Naiqama cannot move to 1 because he is terrible under the high ball. He was tried at wing during the Penrith national 2nd division final in Sydney last season and dropped the high kicks twice resulting in tries by Northern Pride. He can play at 6 though, and Benjamin Farrar can play at full back.