A look to 2024

[Dovster]

12 hours ago, Mr Hicks said:

Not 100% sure how the IMG thing works with social media posts but I just looked on the Bradford Facebook page and they post more things in one day than we do all week.

I find Facebook so lacking in what's happening at the club. Usually one or two post when a signing is announced but apart from that very few things posted.

I'm not currently on Facebook, although that is probably going to change. Cougars do use twitter quite a lot (usually a couple of tweets per day).

[Dovster]

9 hours ago, welshmagpie said:

A product of the Welsh junior system. Came through as a half back but has matured into a full back or winger. Quick and fit as a fiddle. Half ok kicking game.

Above all else absolutely keen to learn and improve. He’s a top lad, look after him.

Thanks for the info. Sounds like a good signing.

[Indigogo]

10 hours ago, footlongsub said:

Can't wait to see how the likes of Walkley, Downey, Dean and Schofield go.

Me too, in particular Schofield and Walkley as I feel they have realistic chances of being first choice players.

Schofield will probably be in the match day 17 from the off, a big lad who already has championship experience whilst with Dewsbury.

I'm guessing here but I think Walkley will come in primarily as competition for Thomas at full back. If he's quick and elusive then hopefully we have someone in the same mould as Lewis Young. I'm hoping he comes in and has a great pre season. Thomas was steady at full back, I only really remember one mistake at home against Batley, so I've no issues with him playing. He just isn't much of a running threat and I like to have that from a full back.

Downey and Dean are likely to find game time harder to come by and will be relying on injuries and/or suspensions to get in to start with. Downey will be behind DFJ and Graham on the wing, I have however heard that he's absolutely rapid so again if he impresses in pre season that could cause headaches for the coaching staff.

Dean is probably 3rd or 4th choice half back, but that might not mean he is a million miles away from the 17. Alex Bishop who we signed from Haven is recovering from a knee op, I've no idea what his recovery looks like and if he will be available for the whole of pre season. If fully fit I think Miller and Bishop will be our first choice half back pairing. We also have Ben Stead, I'm not a massive fan of him tbh would prefer Dean to have a chance before he plays. Again, he will more than likely have a chance to stake a claim in preseason. 

Fingers crossed a couple of them step up and make an impact

[Indigogo]

12 hours ago, welshmagpie said:

A product of the Welsh junior system. Came through as a half back but has matured into a full back or winger. Quick and fit as a fiddle. Half ok kicking game.

Above all else absolutely keen to learn and improve. He’s a top lad, look after him.

We need some pace from our full back imo. Lewis Young (our FB that just left) had it in abundance and was always a threat. I think he has a real chance of staking a claim in pre season for the full back roll. I hope he takes his chance!

[footlongsub]

On 07/11/2023 at 10:15, Indigogo said:

We need some pace from our full back imo. Lewis Young (our FB that just left) had it in abundance and was always a threat. I think he has a real chance of staking a claim in pre season for the full back roll. I hope he takes his chance!

I feel like Lewis was a bit overrated if i am honest. Great running game but his passing game needed a lot of development.

London away - that pass to Stephenson is better and he scores. There's probably a few more over the course of the season but thats one stands out in more recent memory. 

Good luck to him in Oz though.

Oscar for me is a better option in the full back spot.

Edited November 8, 2023 by footlongsub

[Indigogo]

1 hour ago, footlongsub said:

I feel like Lewis was a bit overrated if i am honest. Great running game but his passing game needed a lot of development.

London away - that pass to Stephenson is better and he scores. There's probably a few more over the course of the season but thats one stands out in more recent memory. 

Good luck to him in Oz though.

Oscar for me is a better option in the full back spot.

Oscar Thomas a million miles away from Lewis Young at full back imo. Lewis's passing game may not have been as good but his calmness and positioning was always top quality, and his elusive running game was always a threat. Thomas didn't offer that. Thomas steady away and I'm happy he's stayed.

Not that it matters now Lewis has left the club

[footlongsub]

On 08/11/2023 at 19:28, Indigogo said:

Oscar Thomas a million miles away from Lewis Young at full back imo. Lewis's passing game may not have been as good but his calmness and positioning was always top quality, and his elusive running game was always a threat. Thomas didn't offer that. Thomas steady away and I'm happy he's stayed.

Not that it matters now Lewis has left the club

I disagree largely. Lewis was caught out of position on occasions but dealt with the majority of things very well out the back.

Oscar as an older, wiser head looks head and shoulders above Lewis as a footy player and a handler of the ball.

[Indigogo]

A good update on the squad today by DoR, Jake Webster. Sounds like the club are happy with the squad at the moment but funds are still available and we are on the look out for further additions, providing it's the right type of player and person. Can't argue with that too much. 

We are back in for pre season from today and Jake also revealed we have 5 lads in as trialists, so it'll be interesting to see how they go and if any can earn themselves a contract.

The names mentioned by Webster were:

Liam Copland - Winger that was at Oldham previously but had an ACL injury.

Callum Bacon - Can't see too much online about him, if I've got the right player he looks to be playing Rugby Union for Halifax at the moment.

Danny Salkeld - Young prop who looks to have been with Rhinos at some point and currently with Stanningley.

Max Lambourne - Young utility back that came through at Cas and looks to be playing for Cas Panthers amateur set up.

Aaron Harlow-Stephenson - Young prop that played some games for Midlands in the past. He has also suffered an ACL injury in the past. 

With the 22 signed up and 5 trialists, we should have 27 for pre season training. The only position I think we desperately need someone in at is hooker, Kesik won't play 80mins and was injured a bit last season so we need at least one more recognised 9 in the squad. 

Interesting to hear that we seem to have a good relationship with Huddersfield and we might lean on that throughout the season if required.

[Dovster]

21 hours ago, Indigogo said:

A good update on the squad today by DoR, Jake Webster. Sounds like the club are happy with the squad at the moment but funds are still available and we are on the look out for further additions, providing it's the right type of player and person. Can't argue with that too much. 

We are back in for pre season from today and Jake also revealed we have 5 lads in as trialists, so it'll be interesting to see how they go and if any can earn themselves a contract.

The names mentioned by Webster were:

Liam Copland - Winger that was at Oldham previously but had an ACL injury.

Callum Bacon - Can't see too much online about him, if I've got the right player he looks to be playing Rugby Union for Halifax at the moment.

Danny Salkeld - Young prop who looks to have been with Rhinos at some point and currently with Stanningley.

Max Lambourne - Young utility back that came through at Cas and looks to be playing for Cas Panthers amateur set up.

Aaron Harlow-Stephenson - Young prop that played some games for Midlands in the past. He has also suffered an ACL injury in the past. 

With the 22 signed up and 5 trialists, we should have 27 for pre season training. The only position I think we desperately need someone in at is hooker, Kesik won't play 80mins and was injured a bit last season so we need at least one more recognised 9 in the squad. 

Interesting to hear that we seem to have a good relationship with Huddersfield and we might lean on that throughout the season if required.

All sounds good, Looking forward to seeing some of the new boys on boxing day.

[Indigogo]

On 02/11/2023 at 18:31, Indigogo said:

Young Billy Walkley joins us from Salford on a one year deal. Looks like he can play most positions on the backline but is predominantly a full back, which is what we needed. I've seen a few comments online to say he was well regarded at Salford and some fans were sad to see him leave. Fingers crossed we can give him an opportunity and he takes it. 

That takes up to 22. Be nice to get a hooker or 2 and maybe one more versatile forward and we'd be looking good. 

Thomas, Walkely, DFJ, Graham, Downey, Sa'u, Ryder, Bishop, Miller, Stead, Dean, Parker, Ioane, Bailey, Hatton, Schofield, Maher, Lynam, Lanskey, Robson, Kesik, Brown.

It's been a while but another signing announced today. Brandon Pickersgill signs from Fax on a 3 year deal and it's hard to see how he's not going to be our first choice full back for 2024 and beyond. Personally, absolutely made up with the signing and a top replacement for Lewis Young. If we can sign a 9 to along with Kesik I'd be confident of promotion going into this season. Let's hope the club have one more deal in them

Up to 23 now. I'd take a 9 and couple of the trialist to make 26/27 and be happy with that.

Pickersgill, Thomas, Walkely, DFJ, Graham, Downey, Sa'u, Ryder, Bishop, Miller, Stead, Dean, Parker, Ioane, Bailey, Hatton, Schofield, Maher, Lynam, Lanskey, Robson, Kesik, Brown.

 

[Dovster]

9 hours ago, Indigogo said:

It's been a while but another signing announced today. Brandon Pickersgill signs from Fax on a 3 year deal and it's hard to see how he's not going to be our first choice full back for 2024 and beyond. Personally, absolutely made up with the signing and a top replacement for Lewis Young. If we can sign a 9 to along with Kesik I'd be confident of promotion going into this season. Let's hope the club have one more deal in them

Up to 23 now. I'd take a 9 and couple of the trialist to make 26/27 and be happy with that.

Pickersgill, Thomas, Walkely, DFJ, Graham, Downey, Sa'u, Ryder, Bishop, Miller, Stead, Dean, Parker, Ioane, Bailey, Hatton, Schofield, Maher, Lynam, Lanskey, Robson, Kesik, Brown.

 

Brilliant signing.

[Mr Hicks]

I personally think Pickersgill is a better fullback than Lewis Young. Young excellent under a high ball and a good turn of pace but I think Pickersgill has a more complete game.

Still think were light on numbers. We have a good starting 17 but after that we are quite inexperienced. Would still like to see another 3 or 4 decent signings before the season starts.

[Indigogo]

18 hours ago, Mr Hicks said:

I personally think Pickersgill is a better fullback than Lewis Young. Young excellent under a high ball and a good turn of pace but I think Pickersgill has a more complete game.

Still think were light on numbers. We have a good starting 17 but after that we are quite inexperienced. Would still like to see another 3 or 4 decent signings before the season starts.

I've not seen enough of Pickersgill to make a proper comparison, but the clubs Pickersgill has played for show he's a good championship full back. Hopefully he slots straight in at full back.

I think we are light on numbers as well, 23 at the moment and in an ideal world we'd have at least 25. As I've mentioned in every post, the squads screaming out for hooker. Then you'd be looking at players that are likely to come in as squad players and provide competition for places. That might come from the 5 we have on trial. Copland can provide competition for the wings. Lambourne is a utility back, not sure what his best position is. Salkeld and Harlow-Stephenson are both props and would likely be behind Ioane, Hatton, Schofield, Parker, Maher, Bailey and maybe Lynam in the pecking order. Bacon is a trialist too but I've no idea what position he plays.

[Mr Hicks]

Anyone know what's happened to Trout and Walker. Are they still with us or have they left

[Indigogo]

30 minutes ago, Mr Hicks said:

Anyone know what's happened to Trout and Walker. Are they still with us or have they left

Nothing has been confirmed by the club but I believe Brad Walker has left and is heading to Barrow. Not heard anything about Trout, presume he's not been retained by the club as his contract ended after 2023. Personally I'd like to have kept Trout but maybe the budget didn't allow it.

[footlongsub]

On 25/11/2023 at 20:42, Mr Hicks said:

I personally think Pickersgill is a better fullback than Lewis Young. Young excellent under a high ball and a good turn of pace but I think Pickersgill has a more complete game.

Still think were light on numbers. We have a good starting 17 but after that we are quite inexperienced. Would still like to see another 3 or 4 decent signings before the season starts.

He is night and day over Lewis Young. Young great but not professional enough to really reach his potential. Enjoys life too much, which is fine.

Pickersgill is the ultimate professional. Has a running AND a passing game where as Lewis could only run. He was a better SO than he was FB. 

Oscar goes in the halves now I reckon and Bishop at Hooker. Watch Whitehaven v Saints in the Challenge Cup he was devastating at Hooker. 

 

[Indigogo]

6 hours ago, footlongsub said:

He is night and day over Lewis Young. Young great but not professional enough to really reach his potential. Enjoys life too much, which is fine.

Pickersgill is the ultimate professional. Has a running AND a passing game where as Lewis could only run. He was a better SO than he was FB. 

Oscar goes in the halves now I reckon and Bishop at Hooker. Watch Whitehaven v Saints in the Challenge Cup he was devastating at Hooker. 

 

Sounds like you've seen a lot of Pickersgill and rate him, so that's good news.

I think Bishop will primarily be in the halves with Miller and Oscar will provide cover at FB and Half. Just watched the Whitehaven v Saints as suggested, he only played the first 8 minutes at hooker and he didn't do anything other than pass it from dummy half, wouldn't call anything about it devastating. 

Personally, I'd be reluctant to play him in the middle whilst he's still recovering from such a bad knee injury. 

[footlongsub]

18 hours ago, Indigogo said:

Sounds like you've seen a lot of Pickersgill and rate him, so that's good news.

I think Bishop will primarily be in the halves with Miller and Oscar will provide cover at FB and Half. Just watched the Whitehaven v Saints as suggested, he only played the first 8 minutes at hooker and he didn't do anything other than pass it from dummy half, wouldn't call anything about it devastating. 

Personally, I'd be reluctant to play him in the middle whilst he's still recovering from such a bad knee injury. 

Pickersgill was fantastic at the Bulls. 

No worries playing Bishop at 9 for me.

[Indigogo]

1 hour ago, footlongsub said:

Pickersgill was fantastic at the Bulls. 

No worries playing Bishop at 9 for me.

He certainly had a good record at Bulls which earned him a contract at Fev. An exciting signing for us.

I think from the interview the club put out last week Stead is going to be the bench 9 (or at least an option). There's a few that can do a job (Bishop, Stead, Brown) but none are out and out 9s. Still hopeful we will get one in before the season proper starts. 

[Mr Hicks]

It's certainly a key position which can control a game. Doesn't matter which level of rugby you play your 1, 6, 7, 9 and 13 are key to a good team. Utility players are fine but if everyone is fit you should have players that are specialists in those positions 

[footlongsub]

Hooker is a position that requires a smart rugby head, not so much ability.

Brown, Stead, Kesik and Bishop especially all have rugby IQ.

[Dovster]

24 minutes ago, footlongsub said:

Hooker is a position that requires a smart rugby head, not so much ability.

Brown, Stead, Kesik and Bishop especially all have rugby IQ.

Smart with the ball and defensively very good. Not sure Stead is the most solid defender.

[Dovster]

Does anyone know when the fixtures are being released? and what the position is regarding Newcastle?

[Indigogo]

3 hours ago, Mr Hicks said:

It's certainly a key position which can control a game. Doesn't matter which level of rugby you play your 1, 6, 7, 9 and 13 are key to a good team. Utility players are fine but if everyone is fit you should have players that are specialists in those positions 

Totally agree with that. If we are moving Bishop to 9 on occasions then that has a knock on effect as to who is playing in the halves. Same again if we move Brown to 9, someone else has to then play 13. I'm a fan of having versatile players but if there's too many you end up robbing Peter to pay Paul. That's the reason I'm hoping we sign an out and out 9, we'd have a great spine and cover in games as and when injuries occur. 

[Indigogo]

16 minutes ago, Dovster said:

Smart with the ball and defensively very good. Not sure Stead is the most solid defender.

We might get away with Stead at 9 in League one but there's no chance we'd have him there if we were in champ, which says it all for me.