St Helens vs Bradford Bulls

[amm]

Kearney, Halley, L'Estrange, Hall, Lynch, Sheriffe, Scruton, Finigan, Kopczak, Olbison, Menzies, Reardon, Godwin, Crookes, Sykes, Whitehead, Worrincy, Langley, Platt.

stop it!!

What do you think you're playing at posting actual match info here

Edited August 11, 2010 by amh

[Amber Avenger]

I don't know the geography very well but the old Steam Pig mag indicated that those people from the West of Bradford (the old Bradford Park Avenue area?) would gravitate towards Burnley rather than Bradford City.

Does this still happen?

Not that I've ever heard of since I've grown up in that sort of area. Certainly a new one on me.

[Tommy The C5t]

I must say that when I was at school (St Bede's) up in Heaton.

The rivalry between City and Bulls supporters was fierce.

I also remember our years down at Valley Parade and the City supporters didn't like it one bit that we were playing at their beloved ground.

The stewards took things to the next level and didn't help.

I remember our first ever game there vs Widnes in the cup and they were very heavy handed in their approach towards us, viewing us with the same mentality as the wendyball inbreds.

[Bulliac]

I am a Bradfordian (rarely admit this in public) - so what I am about to say may annoy my fellow citizens ...

Bradford folk are fickle, rigid, set in their ways and dont accept change, they are happier moaning about "stuff" than being positive and they certainly do not change habits of a lifetime (armchair critical supporters) - in a sentence - a general stereotypical summary.

However, bearing this in mind - what the Bulls achieved at the time was all the more remarkable - a view I have held since the gaps on the terraces got filled (and emptied again).

I was so annoyed that all the hard work was being frittered away that I wrote & met Mr Hood in 2006 - and since then it got worse! I also wrote to Wigan at the time - who were losing games but attendances were rising.

ATEOTD - Wigan had a plan, they stuck to the plan, they moved to a great new stadium, they found the right chairman and they found the right coach - add to that the people of Wigan being if a different ilk to Bradford - and you have what you have at Wigan.

Bradford had a plan, they stuck to the plan but it wasn't as good, we continue to play in a depression inducing hole,the chairman is the only one who wants the job and we backed the wrong coach - add to that the fickle Bradford folk - and you have what you have at Bradford.

Hope this answers at least one question!

Mick - this thread needs re-titling now!

There is definitely a difference between support in some other places and ours unfortunately, but it's hard to see what can be done about it. It's pretty impossible to change those habits of a lifetime I guess.

I'm puzzled that you went to see Mr Hood about, "all the hard work being frittered away", since it was his arrival as chairman which actually signalled the end of the "frittering away", ( the previous regime had been losing around

[hindle xiii]

Can we not have a shiny new match thread?!

Who cares if it's saved on someone's phone.

[Northern Exposure]

Saints by 60-70

[hindle xiii]

Saints by 60-70

Oo, have you finally replenished all those bodily fluids lost on Saturday?! Welcome back, do you now give a stuff about the Cup? I expect a thread all of your own on the subject shortly.

[Tommy The C5t]

Good to see Nero has been axed in place of the returning Crookes.

Kearney and Scruton will give us a badly needed injection.

Don't write us off on Friday at Knowsley Road.

[hindle xiii]

Don't write us off on Friday at Knowsley Road.

Might aswell though.

[Tommy The C5t]

Might aswell though.

Show some faith in the team that have lost 11 in a row and have yet to win a game in over three months

No seriously I think we'll get the points on Friday.

[bewareshadows]

As for the game on Friday, I doubt it will be the cake walk most people expect, I think the Saints players will be down hearted after coming so close to leeds on Saturday even with no half backs. I also think the playoffs will be in the coaches mind and he will want as full and fit a squad for the playoffs as possible as presently Saints are stuck with 2nd or 3rd which makes little difference apart from a home tie in the first round.

[Tommy The C5t]

As for the game on Friday, I doubt it will be the cake walk most people expect, I think the Saints players will be down hearted after coming so close to leeds on Saturday even with no half backs. I also think the playoffs will be in the coaches mind and he will want as full and fit a squad for the playoffs as possible as presently Saints are stuck with 2nd or 3rd which makes little difference apart from a home tie in the first round.

Not to mention the two tough games that they have just had against Warrington and Leeds.

[Adeybull]

Bulls players won't get a better chance to impress their new coach...

[Tommy The C5t]

Bulls players won't get a better chance to impress their new coach...

I was talking to Matt earlier and we both think it might be best if we don't play Worrincy.

Just in case he scores a hatrick and Potter gives him a new deal

[bewareshadows]

I was talking to Matt earlier and we both think it might be best if we don't play Worrincy.

Just in case he scores a hatrick and Potter gives him a new deal

I think Potter is a coach that can really build a club and he will probably put Bradford into a much better position. I'm still uncertain as to whether he has that thing that the best coaches have to win finals, but in terms of consistency and developing a team he is ideal.

I think Daniel Anderson was actually quite similar in building a team that can perform consistently well week in week out. I think with the CC Daniel Anderson managed to get the more difficult teams earlier on in the competition which suited that consistent level of play. The difference with the playoffs is that you can't knock the best teams out early on and then have an easy final. I know we won against Hull but no disrespect to that Hull team but I don't think they were a close match for Saints that year.

Having said that I do think Anderson had more about him when it came to finals that Potter does. I think Potter is too calm and even handed for knock out football.

During the course of a season and even handed approach and keeping the players in check is what is needed. But you have to change that for a final as it's not just another game, you need to instill that passion and urgency and higher intensity that a final requires. I think DA caught onto this late in the last GF he coached, when he absolutley tore into the Saints players at half time. When we came out we looked a much more enthusiastic team, but it was too late in the day, Leeds weather the 20 minutes of enthusiasm and then rolled us over.

Sorry I digress, my point is I think Potter will redevelop Bradford into a top 4 side once more, but then Bradford may have to go looking for someone to brng them that extra level of success once the side is established back in the top 4.

[Amber Avenger]

I think Potter is a coach that can really build a club and he will probably put Bradford into a much better position. I'm still uncertain as to whether he has that thing that the best coaches have to win finals, but in terms of consistency and developing a team he is ideal.

I think Daniel Anderson was actually quite similar in building a team that can perform consistently well week in week out. I think with the CC Daniel Anderson managed to get the more difficult teams earlier on in the competition which suited that consistent level of play. The difference with the playoffs is that you can't knock the best teams out early on and then have an easy final. I know we won against Hull but no disrespect to that Hull team but I don't think they were a close match for Saints that year.

Having said that I do think Anderson had more about him when it came to finals that Potter does. I think Potter is too calm and even handed for knock out football.

During the course of a season and even handed approach and keeping the players in check is what is needed. But you have to change that for a final as it's not just another game, you need to instill that passion and urgency and higher intensity that a final requires. I think DA caught onto this late in the last GF he coached, when he absolutley tore into the Saints players at half time. When we came out we looked a much more enthusiastic team, but it was too late in the day, Leeds weather the 20 minutes of enthusiasm and then rolled us over.

Sorry I digress, my point is I think Potter will redevelop Bradford into a top 4 side once more, but then Bradford may have to go looking for someone to brng them that extra level of success once the side is established back in the top 4.

All pretty good points. I think most Bulls fans would hope we can get back into the top 4. Nobody is realistically expecting us to get to finals as nice as that would be. Stability is something we deseperatly need, so if Potter can do that whilst making us competative again then I say bring it on!

[Wolford6]

Let's face it, top eight would be a significant improvement.

[Bulliac]

Saints by 60-70

That's almost a vote of confidence from you NE!

[Bulliac]

Show some faith in the team that have lost 11 in a row and have yet to win a game in over three months

No seriously I think we'll get the points on Friday.

You can never tell, that's for sure but if I'm honest I'd go for somewhere between your estimate and NE's.

[Exiled Wiganer]

I admire the boundless optimism of the Bulls' fans, but Saints will win this by a massive margin, because they are much better, will be smarting after Saturday's heroic defeat, and have Eastmond back, whereas Bradford are very poor and seem to particularly struggle against mobile teams. Saints will win and finish the week end above Wire.

[Northern Exposure]

Welcome back, do you now give a stuff about the Cup?

Nope.

[Errol Stock]

I'm puzzled that you went to see Mr Hood about, "all the hard work being frittered away", since it was his arrival as chairman which actually signalled the end of the "frittering away", ( the previous regime had been losing around

[Bulliac]

Yes - by frittering away - I really meant in terms of dropping attendances.. Frittering away the incredible amount of work taken to get the gates from 6000 to 15000 over a very short period. At the time I wrote they had dropped to around 10000 and I knew of people who had not renewed their season ticket and did not get a follow up call/letter as to why they quit. Mr Hood said this needed looking at and correcting. We discussed in depth the other issues you mention - but at the time we had promised confidentiality - which I honoured and did not post here.

I don't know about you, but for me, the biggest difference is in the number kids going these days. When you think about it, it was the youngsters who made up a large part of the big crowds back then. If there is one area which should be addressed it should be involving the school kids, with whatever it takes, free tickets, Bullman going into the schools, cheap deals etc. I know they are more fickle than anyone, and things soon go out of fashion , but they are the future of the club and should be encouraged.

They talked the talk at the forum and it sounded fine, let's hope they can deliver.

[Tommy The C5t]

I don't know about you, but for me, the biggest difference is in the number kids going these days. When you think about it, it was the youngsters who made up a large part of the big crowds back then. If there is one area which should be addressed it should be involving the school kids, with whatever it takes, free tickets, Bullman going into the schools, cheap deals etc. I know they are more fickle than anyone, and things soon go out of fashion , but they are the future of the club and should be encouraged.

They talked the talk at the forum and it sounded fine, let's hope they can deliver.

Spot on, I've said that what we need to do is go back to the tried and tested route that worked 15 years ago by sending Bullman and the players in and around the cities schools and Rugby League clubs (the club needs to get it's self out there, promoting itself and its product once again) and hand out "free kids entry when accompanied with a full paying adult.

There still a recession on, and a lot of families in Bradford (one of the UK's poorest cities) don't have a lot of money to spend on luxuries like going to watch the Bulls up at Odsal so the free kids tickets will make it cheaper for them to come to the game.

[Exiled Wiganer]

This is late in the day, but Wigan did have a significant dip in crowds when they first went from winning everything to be second or third best. Their recovery was in a period when pretty much every Wigan fan knew the party was long over, and the club was in peril. Where we can be particularly proud of ourselves is in the way so many Wiganers love the game sufficiently to play and coach it, in greater numbers these days than for many years. People know and love the game deeply and so form the ideal target for a club to grow. I cannot comment on Bradford but maybe not enough was done to get more schools and clubs playing the game during the good times?