Bradford Bulls captain Matt Diskin, who was a player-coach for one match against Hull Kingston Rovers before the appointment of James Lowes, has come out in support of Lowes’ appointment last week as the new Bulls coach.
“I think he is a good appointment. We have a young, ambitious coach who has the club in his heart. He will look to put the right infrastructure in place to build this club back up to where it should be,” Diskin told this week’s League Express.
“He was a fantastic player – tough, uncompromising and very clever. I’m sure those characteristics will be transferred into his coaching.
“He had a taste of first-team coaching at Warrington, and he’s done a very thorough and varied apprenticeship under a number of different coaches with different ideas and he has developed his own philosophy, which we’ll see over the coming years at Bradford.”
But Diskin admits he also has great sympathy for departed Bradford coach Francis Cummins.
“In one sense it’s irrelevant who the coach is,” he added.
“We have Jimmy there now, and he is going to be facing the same problems, and that is a tough task for him. But we’re sure that he can deal with it.
“Franny and Lee (St Hilaire) were a rock for the players during the difficult time we’ve had. Their integrity, and the way they held the squad together when they were here, has to be applauded.
“But some fresh impetus from Jimmy may be what the squad needs. I think that’s what Marc (Green) and Steve (Ferres) are looking for, and I think that’s why they made the decision to change things.
“Time will tell, but everyone is excited about the appointment.”
Lowes himself is already looking at two different futures for the club, with one of them depending on whether they can reclaim the six points that were deducted for entering administration after announcing last week that they will challenge that decision in the High Court.
But for Lowes, any outcome from that will be futile unless action is also taken on the pitch.
“I’d rather concern myself with what happens on the field because we need to get this right,” said Lowes.
“If we get the points back, it’s a big bonus. But if we get the points back and we’re still not winning then it’s irrelevant.
“We’ve got to get ready for both scenarios with a plan A and B.
“All we can do is fight and fight and fight. Even if it comes to the point where relegation does happen, then you still have to keep fighting to the last game.
“We must show the fans that even if we go down we will come back.
“It looks like the club is stabilising off the field, but if we get relegated, then our aim is to get back up and be a real force in Super League again.”
