Bull Mania

Cas reportedly lose an interchange for submitting the wrong team sheet. When you include their "error" for IMG grading, their back office sounds tin pot!

I do feel sorry for the refs. You can just feel the pressure on them ever super slow motion replay where there's head contact. I'd hate to be in their position.

Just feel so deflated of where the sport I've loved is going. It simply won't survive if that's the norm.

Just a lazy throwaway line. No problem for bans Peles action for example. But players aren't going out trying to snot each other's heads off. But the Leigh player for example has not gone to hit anyone in the head and it's ricoulous he's been banned.

Certainly not bagging the refs, I thought they explained the rules well. But we have to get a balance between making the game safe and still having entertainment (that doesn't mean bring back the biff, shoulder charge etc) Fans have a lot of options how to spend their money nowadays. While we all snigger at the "games dying" line, RL has been declining steadily over a number of years. Banning 11 players every game will only enhance that decline IMO

To be fair I don't think it's that OTT. The games at the weekend weren't the greatest. Eleven players are set to receive bans this weekend. Some are fair, others aren't.

1. FC were absolutely dire. Smith just doesn't seem to be improving them. Long long season for them. 2. KR were OK, not great but got the job done. 3. Sympathy for Sao but understand why it's a red in today's game. I hope the disciplinary come down hard on Parcell though. Complete dog act and if we're going to give reds for contact to head, then we need to make sure that there is sufficient deterrent on players trying to get reactions from opponents which maybe result in them lashing out and resulting in "contact to head" Parcell deserves longer ban IMHO as there's zero mitigating circumstances for his actions.

Firstly, great news for Salford. The alternative didn't bare thinking about? Hopefully this really does set them on the path to stability. I do hope some of the fans on social media who seem to think this is beginning of the "Red Devils are back baby" don't bury their heads in the sand. Salfords woes have come with their best success on the field (which brings added sponsorship, attendances and big cash injections for play-off/grand final tickets) if they struggle on the field and their atttendances etc go down, that could off set the favourable terms they now get with the stadium. But it's great news, we want as many strong RL clubs as possible.

Really enjoyed that Barrow Oldham tie.

Think it's good business for everyone IF we bring in a good addition where we're a little short. England wouldn't quite get in my strongest 17, however it's a 30+ game season and you need depth and England was a very good player at this level. Think he's had some injuries throughout the last couple of pre-seasons which meant he couldn't quite nail down a spot in the side throughout the season. He has had a full and very strong pre-season this time so it will be interesting to see how he goes. Fev have a good championship player.

Is going to a friend's wedding in the middle of the off-season really a big deal? No idea why Salford wouldn't just agree to it.

I know the "rugby leagues dead" line gets trotted out a lot, but I really do fear what impact this will have. Was it an average of 50+ penalties in the trial games. That's simply unworkable as an entertainment sport. That's not to say we shouldn't work hard to protect players. I like the maximum games and minimum off-season, probably could have gone further here. But this rule isn't the right one IMO Unfortunately anyone who has a concern that this isn't the right way to go, gets shut down by some journos saying "safety is paramount, if you disagree with the rule you enjoy seeing players getting dementia"

Prob too early for predictions with signings yet to come. Can expect another hugely tight league though. 1. Wakey - will strengthen and start recruiting a team capable of competing in SL as the season goes on. 2. Toulouse - only down to home form. They look to still have a small, ageing squad. 3. Bradford - Kept majority of last seasons squad that finished strongly. O'Carroll looks a good fit on paper, will it work out that way though. Got the toughest opening set of fixtures it was possible to give us. 4. York - probably have the strongest depth, although still think they look light at prop. I like Hendo and think they will do well. 5. Halifax - Always there or thereabouts, I like their signings of O'brien, Douglas & Eden. But they look to have a small squad. 6. Fev - obviously not many signed up but think they'll recruit as season wears on. Still a top 17 but think they will be a hangover from last season. 7. Sheffield - another good season, just not as good as last. 8. Barrow - improved season for them. 9. Batley - New coach and could be a transition year. 10. Widnes - recruited mainly Swinton players and coach, who only just stayed up. Another tough year for them. 11. Doncaster - think it will be case of team that looks strong on paper doesn't replicate on the field. But staying in the championship will be their main aim. 12. Whitehaven - think they'll have just enough. Always have some gems in their squad. 13. Dewsbury - Tough first year back. 14. Swinton think they'll struggle with a few players and coach going. Patton isn't the answer IMO

To be fair I don't think ANY championship squad has deep depth. Even Wakey, a couple of injuries in certain positions and they look very light. That being said they look the most equipped to strengthen as the season goes on. Injuries will play a big part this year.

Hope they come through, but it seems an absolute mess. Not convinced that the stadium, even if they get a deal through will solve all their problems. How much money will they really make from selling burgers 13 times a season? How will they make up the advancement on their central funding? I've been there as a fan and never ends well. I like Salford, but for me I just don't see them as an SL club. This isn't a blip, it's been going on all year. Under the first team they seem to have little, no academy, reserves etc they have nothing to fall back on.

Without turning this into a glasshouse slinging match, your outrage and meltdown over us is curiousseeing as you support Wakefield. I mean they've not gone bust at all or tried fleecing fans (didn't they also sell "shares" a number of years a go) Or is all that different for you not to get outraged at? Anway onto Salford. Firstly let's hope they get sorted. Does kind of bring the whole IMG thing into question that they're nearly a grade A (so a club we should all be striving to replicate) yet could go bust in a number of weeks. I think the reality isn't even spending beyond thier means, it's more they're just not sustainable as an SL club sadly. Fingers crossed the club pull through.

Don't understand Wakey using DR. I'll be amazed if they don't finish top without it so not sure why they would risk disruption. DR sounds great in principle, you get a young hungry fringe player getting game time and putting in a good performance to impress their parent club. Occasionally that does happen. But the reality ends up being constant disruption to the team and sometimes players thinking their too good for the championship (and end up getting a rude awakening) or looking like they don't want to be there. No conindicence when we DR with Leeds we had some good players but ended up getting absolutely spanked by Keighley & Barrow (one 19 year old back rower got out ran by 40 year old player coach Jake Wester) As soon as we ditched it the performances were much more consistent and we ended up finishing third.

I think Rogers can go all the way to the top. Reminds me of Jamie Peacock. Few rough edges to iron out, but the potential is huge. Think we'll really miss him this year. For us, Jayden Myers is a player I think SL teams will be looking at next year. Made his debut this year and ended up keeping Joe Arundel (who was very good for us this year) out of the centre position.

Might be a tough few weeks for Fev but if I can offer some consolation, 12 months a go we'd lost our star home grown player to our bitterest rivals, Keighley, being goaded left right and centre of how they were going to finish above us, we were in a relegation fight etc And look what happened. Granted think having a new investor helped massively, but my point being a lot can change in sport. Campbell is an unpredictable character like Beaumont, but if Fev can sort out the payment problems, maybe be competitive with a slimmed down squad, he may invest as the season wears on. Don't think for a second you'll be in a relegation battle. Top 6 for me, even as bleak as things look now.

5 of the current 28 haven't made thier debut yet and have been promoted from reserves/academy into the first team. An injury or two and we still look vulnerable in a couple of positions.

Worrying thing is, if Matts article is correct, it reads like they're saying they don't have any funds for the wages and are looking at external income to cover them. What about next months wages (granted it will be significantly less) Would presume the season ticket money (which seemed to have a very very early deadline for early bird) has already been spent. Let's hope it gets sorted.

The Bulls are literally showing that Odsal is the very thing stopping them getting into SL! I'm really not understanding what people are feeling aggrieved at. I feel like a referee must do when they try and convince someone they don't favour/hate club x,y, z.

I mean they've had 9 years to "rig the system" to get us back in SL and never have. Also despite all the outcry on here, the IMG gradings have Bradford "checks notes", still outside SL... Anyway personal preference is it should be decided on the field. Thay would stop most of the bickering. (although not all as some would still blame a ref)

Get in London!

COME ON LONDON!!!