Bradford

[Dakink]

From my limited exposure and knowledge of the English game, it seems to be that the Bulls have nose dived hard. Can any one fill me in with what is actually happening and going wrong at the club? Poor performances, ground dramas etc it seems like they are struggling big time?

Also is Catalans resurgence and higher expectations a reflection on the game in France? Is the Catalans squad and also club staff made up of primarily French with the right imports?

 

[Evil Homer]

It was a combination of a couple of things at Bradford. Most of their fans blame the signing of Iestyn Harris in 2004, they ended up having to pay a hefty compensation fee to Leeds which meant they had to offload a couple of top players to cover the costs. Between 2004 and 2006 they lost the likes of Jamie Peacock, Stuart Fielden, Leon Pryce, Robbie Paul, Tevita Vaikona and a bunch of others who had been leading players, and replaced them with nobodies. A couple of other key players retired, and the ones that stayed like Vainikolo, Hape and Deacon were all getting older and becoming injury prone and less effective. Then they lost Brian Noble and replaced him with one of the most incompetent coaches of all time in Steve McNamara and it was all downhill from there really, by the time he was sacked in 2010 pretty much everything that had been built in the early 2000's was gone.

As for Catalans, being the only full-time club in a nation means they should be a successful club, just like the Warriors should in the NRL. They were only poor a couple of seasons ago because they had the most pathetic excuse for a coach in Kevin Walters. But apart from that they've always been a pretty solid club. I reckon we'll be pretty much ready for a second French team within 3 or 4 years.

 

[Patorick]

http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/teams/Bradford_Bulls/transfers.html

With respect to Steve Menzies, Matt Orford, Glenn Hall & Heath L'Estrange, look at the players they've lost and who they've gained over the last five years or so.

Marc Herbert?

Brett Kearney?

Adrian Purtell?

Yeah.

 

[JasonE]

http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/teams/Bradford_Bulls/transfers.html

With respect to Steve Menzies, Matt Orford, Glenn Hall & Heath L'Estrange, look at the players they've lost and who they've gained over the last five years or so.

Marc Herbert?

Brett Kearney?

Adrian Purtell?

Yeah.

They have some decent players but i don't think Potter is the man to inspire them and some of his selections are a joke, like getting rid of a creative five eight in Kyle Briggs (Potter said he needs to work on his defence) yet he picks Jarrod Sammut who just can't tackle at all.

 

[Johnny_L_O]

Bradford are spending the cap too which is sad. I agree about Briggs, he has one of the best kicking games around and would have complimented Gale brilliantly. After all, they have played with each other since they were 16/17 years old in the Leeds academy. I'd have started there and tried to build by team around them.

I do however believe they will go ok this year. Catalan would have beat every one last week and were just awesome In all parts of the game. They have a good mix of players with a very big pack which will get them on the front foot. Thier backs are quick and skilful too. They will be there or thereabouts this year.

 

[Dakink]

Another poor performance - even accounting for a good Wigan - leaves them at the foot of the table. Any chance of them finishing there? Surely any team that is usung Sammut as 7 will struggle? If they are spending the cap, then they must be paying overs for some??

From an outsiders point of view it is good to see the big 4 of Wigan, Leeds, St. Helens & Bradford lose their grip on the top 4 over recent seasons. Nothing worse than a EPL style Man U, Chelsea, Aresenal year after year.