London match thread

[Batley Bob]

BATLEY BULLDOGS V LONDON BRONCOS  

MONDAY 17TH APRIL  
FOXS BISCUITS STADIUM  
KO : 15:00  

Referee: T Crashley
Touch Judges: Brandon Robinson S Houghton - See more at: http://www.rugby-league.com/the_rfl/referee_appointments#sthash.UsQejbau.dpuf

[Batley Bob]

http://livesportsfm.co.uk/

[Supertyke]

So, where do we go from here? London has been in indifferent form this season, but the performance of the Bulldogs on Good Friday was, by all accounts, lacking in character and effort.

On the Bulldogstalk website I started the poll "Will The Bulldogs bounce back on Monday" yesterday. Of the, albeit only 13 as yet, replies,

• 15% say yes, Batley will beat London
• 38% say the Bulldogs will show character and come close
• 31% say, no, the Broncos are too strong
• 15% say no, the Bulldogs don't have the character.

So, what do you think? With the click of a button on the Website (www.bulldogstalk.net) you can submit your opinion (no need to register, but don't forget to share via Facebook or Twitter if you like)

In the match group (http://www.bulldogstalk.net/groups/batley-bulldogs-v-london-broncos/) you can add your thoughts on the forum, and/or add pics, links etc.. on the stream (requires registration, but you can login with Facebook etc..)

Look forward to your thoughts.

[distantdog]

No lack of effort at Dewsbury. Too easy to say that when we lose! We lacked the guile to break down their defence!

l think London will be a little too strong for us - despite seemingly having the same issues as us this season.

[il cattivo]

16 minutes ago, distantdog said:

No lack of effort at Dewsbury. Too easy to say that when we lose! We lacked the guile to break down their defence!

That had conceded 310 points in 9 games.........

That's a worry.

[Blind side johnny]

London don't really travel well and there is some dissent within the camp, not least with their "star" half back. I reckon you will see a bounce back from your team, led around by DB, and a fairly comprehensive victory.

[The dogtor]

It'll be another one directional performance again no doubt. 

Middle,middle,middle,right,right, ###### kick, if we dont give a daft penatly away.

 So predictable. 

[distantdog]

8 minutes ago, The dogtor said:

It'll be another one directional performance again no doubt. 

Middle,middle,middle,right,right, ###### kick, if we dont give a daft penatly away.

 So predictable. 

I disagree with this. I think the problem is we are trying to be too unpredictable. It feels at times that we are trying to score from every play the ball. We certainly weren't predictable against Rochdale. 

My issue is that we don't show enough patience, hold onto the ball long enough, not build pressure over a number of tackles, with any consistency!

[The dogtor]

We only have one side. And when it does go to the right, the kicks are awful. Not once have I seen a big cross field bomb on the last. Haven't seen any invention in any game this season. With the forwards being out muscled in most games the backs don't have any time to be inventive.

[Bill H]

22 minutes ago, Blind side johnny said:

London don't really travel well and there is some dissent within the camp, not least with their "star" half back. I reckon you will see a bounce back from your team, led around by DB, and a fairly comprehensive victory.

And pigs once again seen flying over Batley.    Here's hoping that you are right BSJ.

[Bullyboy]

Got to full agree withThe dogtor they was so predictable and One Direction I was looking for Harry Styles 

[phildog]

There has to be more variation in our field, positional and advantage kicking. Both Dom and Patch have good records, regardless of people picking up on a couple of misses v Rochdale, when touch-finding including 40/20's. Where we do fall down in my opinion is that every kick on attack is the same hoof it to the corner and hope. When Squires was getting picked it wasn't too bad as he had the height and forward movement to capitalise, but Rettie and Ainscough don't have the height advantage and are relying in the defence to drop balls. We don't see any Oulton bombs, nor direction changing kicks ie attack right then kick back across the face of the posts, chip and collect etc. Defences are genned up on us. I can see therefore why the coach wants to change our style of play but to do that you need a change of style of player. What we really need is to get back to that team ethic, the 3 (17) Musketeer all for one attitude, doing what we've done best, knocking down the opposition dominating up front and building position from that. Stop the opposition scoring and you can't lose, take a chance at their end and you win, or is that too simplistic? 

[coolie]

You'll be reight

Good performance, bad performance 

As morrison was doing a sterling job for you

Diskin is repaying the favour

If you don't win

I've a few razor blades from Friday that the ram's fans didn't need

Batley by 8 to 10

[distantdog]

1 hour ago, phildog said:

There has to be more variation in our field, positional and advantage kicking. Both Dom and Patch have good records, regardless of people picking up on a couple of misses v Rochdale, when touch-finding including 40/20's. Where we do fall down in my opinion is that every kick on attack is the same hoof it to the corner and hope. When Squires was getting picked it wasn't too bad as he had the height and forward movement to capitalise, but Rettie and Ainscough don't have the height advantage and are relying in the defence to drop balls. We don't see any Oulton bombs, nor direction changing kicks ie attack right then kick back across the face of the posts, chip and collect etc. Defences are genned up on us. I can see therefore why the coach wants to change our style of play but to do that you need a change of style of player. What we really need is to get back to that team ethic, the 3 (17) Musketeer all for one attitude, doing what we've done best, knocking down the opposition dominating up front and building position from that. Stop the opposition scoring and you can't lose, take a chance at their end and you win, or is that too simplistic? 

Which matches have you based this analysis on Phil?

[Piggy's mate]

15 minutes ago, distantdog said:

Which matches have you based this analysis on Phil?

All them games that he couldn't get to because of work? Or the marvellous Bulldogs TV coverage from last season that if I remember correctly was lambasted and now was the greatest thing since sliced bread!

[phildog]

All from seeing enough boys.

[phildog]

I'll try and take more notice this afternoon.......

[doggystyle]

Bookies giving us 4 start, so they are expecting a close game.

[Piggy's mate]

I take it the bookies weren't there on Friday?

[Bill H]

There's been some good and interesting points made on a number of threads without too much ya boo stuff.  The best thing now, IMO, is for fans to get themselves up to MP this afternoon and get behind the team.

[doggystyle]

PM it had been noted that London don't travel that we'll so perhaps the bookies factored that in. They aren't usually wrong.

[9' oller]

Historically play better v more fancied teams. This and the lacklustre performance at shams I'm going for a win

[Bill H]

Having Reittie and Ainscough missing didn't help.  They both tend to lift the team with their enthusiasm.  Does anyone know how long they are likely to be out?  And, for that matter, why Squires wasn't given a game given the injuries to Cowling and the aforementioned wingers?  

[doggystyle]

Squires released. Ainy torn ligaments in wrist so could be out a while. Reittie tweaked his hamstring, not heard it has torn so won't he be available for Sunday? Info obtained up in Ron's lounge after that hammering yesterday.

[Bill H]

Thanks for the update.  Had seen somewhere else the suggestion that Squires may have been released but no confirmation.    It seems to be unfortunate timing unless there is something in the pipeline.