Bradford Bulls building on British talent (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

We all know he is correct. We can’t afford to spend big money. The way forward is to bring your own on like we did with Fielden and Peackock. The problem is that it won’t be long before some supporters forget the position we were in a couple of months ago and start complaining that we aren’t signing half the ausie test team. I have prepared myself for a few years of steady building. Patience, clever coaching and sound financial management are what the Bulls need right now. I am starting to warm to Franny and hope he makes a good go at his first job.

Prycey wrote:
We all know he is correct. We can’t afford to spend big money. The way forward is to bring your own on like we did with Fielden and Peackock. The problem is that it won’t be long before some supporters forget the position we were in a couple of months ago and start complaining that we aren’t signing half the ausie test team. I have prepared myself for a few years of steady building. Patience, clever coaching and sound financial management are what the Bulls need right now. I am starting to warm to Franny and hope he makes a good go at his first job.

Fully agree. I can take 10th with a team full of homegrown kids more than 6th with a team of second rate aussies.

Prycey wrote:
We all know he is correct. We can’t afford to spend big money. The way forward is to bring your own on like we did with Fielden and Peackock. The problem is that it won’t be long before some supporters forget the position we were in a couple of months ago and start complaining that we aren’t signing half the ausie test team. I have prepared myself for a few years of steady building. Patience, clever coaching and sound financial management are what the Bulls need right now. I am starting to warm to Franny and hope he makes a good go at his first job.

Well said Prycey the genuine supporters will stick by the team, hopefully those not as committed will realise how near to going under the club were and stick around, it could be a bumpy ride but as long as fans can see effort being put in and an attempt to play with some style they will be patient.

Good to hear sensible, relative comments from genuine Bulls fans, like previous posts have got to say I am also warming to FC.

Excellent!! , Excellent!! , Excellent!! can't wait for 2013 pre season training has started today!! - COYB

flashdonut wrote:

Prycey wrote:
We all know he is correct. We can’t afford to spend big money. The way forward is to bring your own on like we did with Fielden and Peackock. The problem is that it won’t be long before some supporters forget the position we were in a couple of months ago and start complaining that we aren’t signing half the ausie test team. I have prepared myself for a few years of steady building. Patience, clever coaching and sound financial management are what the Bulls need right now. I am starting to warm to Franny and hope he makes a good go at his first job.

Fully agree. I can take 10th with a team full of homegrown kids more than 6th with a team of second rate aussies.

Hardcore supporters will accept 10th, but 10th position will not get pay on the day fans through the gate. Also I hope Francis Cummins stops mentioning that team 50 times in every interview

i think he has the right idea, it might take some time for the system to bare fruit , and i hope the fans can appreciate that this is another period of steady building. I dont expect us to win every game, but as long as we are competing in every game and showing the desire to win, that is a good start.

like has been said, its all good for the future, but big names bring in the punters

10th place again and crowds will drop, There definitely needs to be a few marque signings to get the juices flowing

Its a chicken and egg job, unless this mystery sponsor has a wallet full of wonga

Prycey wrote:
We all know he is correct. We can’t afford to spend big money. The way forward is to bring your own on like we did with Fielden and Peackock. The problem is that it won’t be long before some supporters forget the position we were in a couple of months ago and start complaining that we aren’t signing half the ausie test team. I have prepared myself for a few years of steady building. Patience, clever coaching and sound financial management are what the Bulls need right now. I am starting to warm to Franny and hope he makes a good go at his first job.

I agree Prycey but I think some supporters have already forgotten the last few months, I for one would prefer a long term solution rather than a quick fix ........

The mention of wealthy backers is one thing but Sutcliffe keeps saying the club can spend up to the cap so what will be the difference ? If prepared to spend up to cap surely any signings will happen anyway.

10th not good enough and OK will soon get fed up of getting slagged off like MP did season before live on SKY

monobrow man wrote:

flashdonut wrote:

Prycey wrote: We all know he is correct. We can’t afford to spend big money. The way forward is to bring your own on like we did with Fielden and Peackock. The problem is that it won’t be long before some supporters forget the position we were in a couple of months ago and start complaining that we aren’t signing half the ausie test team. I have prepared myself for a few years of steady building. Patience, clever coaching and sound financial management are what the Bulls need right now. I am starting to warm to Franny and hope he makes a good go at his first job.

Fully agree. I can take 10th with a team full of homegrown kids more than 6th with a team of second rate aussies.

Hardcore supporters will accept 10th, but 10th position will not get pay on the day fans through the gate. Also I hope Francis Cummins stops mentioning that team 50 times in every interview

Wats so wrong with him mentioning leeds and wantin focus on leeds as inspiration for our future, as much as we all despise leeds hats off to them as they have been by far the best side (consistent) for the last 7 years hence since we fell off the rails and there squad is based around home-grown players like sinfield, mcguire and burrow who have done an excellent job there. come on franni we all trust you its unna take time but with time we will be back as one of the best in super league

In essence frannie is saying it as it is.
Our depth and strength lies in first class coaching and conditioning, plus shrewd management of all these resources before the team can achieve anything.
If top flight players can be brought into the club at the right price. Then he will do it. But what is important is to have a Star team and not a team of Stars. Because as we know the first is affordable the second isn't.

Agreed FC is facing an uphill battle trying to put together a team on a shoestring. using home grown tallent is a slow process and patience is going to be needed from fans. Remember the early days at leeds when mcguire and all those home grown kids first started, they went through a couple of poor seasons but they've made up for it since.
It's all good and well saying we have the full cap to go at BUT. does that include moneys forwarded by the RFL to keep us afloat ? As that money was due to the club for the coming it could be classed as part of the cap.

Will some of you people read the articles properly please. They are saying that we will spend to the full cap are they not? Correct me if I am wrong.

Therefore why this nonsense about God bless Francis and quite how the lad will get us a team out at all given the circumstances ballyhoo is actually codswallop.

If he is spending to the cap then surely we can expect the same level of squad as last year?

A squad which had some FRONT ROW FORWARDS in it - because without them we'll get smashed week in week out in this competition.

We have seen how many players leave - 10? More? And brought just one guy in on loan.

I am now officially concerned. This has shades of the McNamara catastrophe all over it - emphasis on youth, bizarrely obsequious bowing down to the rhino before we even play them, and a squad that is badly light on size and numbers form the start.

Potter understood that crucial fact about this competition - you need size in the pack. Presently we are badly short of it without Kopczak, Elima, Hargreaves & Burgess T.

That we are heartng nothing whatsoever about filling those gaps leaves me very very worried.

Now he sacks the wingers - and what? Are we bringing any in? Does Francis have any plans for the season ahead? Would he like to share them with us apart from general waffle about young players and emulating Leeds.

We have just the 2 recognized half backs - both of whom were injured for large parts of last season. What are the plans should the same occur this year?

Who are we going to sign and in which areas? It is getting close to the start of pre season and as I see it we don't actually have a squad.

Well said young man.

A SENSIBLE LADY wrote:
Well said young man.

You being a di*khead would say that as long as it`s against the Bulls/

The difference between your skint club and the Rhino's is when our lads were coming through they had first class coaching, FC is a complete amateur in comparison.
Like others have said, your either spending the cap (not likely) or being lied to, either way you'll still be playing in front of four figure crowds.

Shelfrhino wrote:
The difference between your skint club and the Rhino's is when our lads were coming through they had first class coaching, FC is a complete amateur in comparison.
Like others have said, your either spending the cap (not likely) or being lied to, either way you'll still be playing in front of four figure crowds.

At least they will have paid their own way into the match not relied on handouts from mummy and daddy!!

Emulating the Rhinos "building from within" policy is no bad idea. However, their three top players mentioned, Sinfield, McGuire and Burrows are all half-backs (okay, Sinfield is a ball-handling loose forward and Burrows is now what used to be called a hooker), an area where the Bulls youth policy has failed to unearth quality players so far. We are still have little or no cover in that area from within. And I agree with SG above, we are way too light in the forwards and, without some "old-head" signings in that area 10th spot will be a pipe-dream. Yes, we cannot expect instant success but we, also, shouldn't expect to be the whipping boys of SL. Enough said about Leeds, Mr Cummins, it is Bradford Bulls you are coaching, who do not have the financial backing your previous employers still have. I am worried that you may be relying on your ex-Leeds colleagues Mr Walker and Mr Scruton to bolster the pack next year but neither have come close to staying injury-free and match-fit in recently. So, the next signings should be two, big, brutish forwards with good pedigree and not an ex-Saints winger who even high-rolling Hull did not want to retain.

Tricky Dicky wrote:
Emulating the Rhinos "building from within" policy is no bad idea. However, their three top players mentioned, Sinfield, McGuire and Burrows are all half-backs (okay, Sinfield is a ball-handling loose forward and Burrows is now what used to be called a hooker), an area where the Bulls youth policy has failed to unearth quality players so far. We are still have little or no cover in that area from within. And I agree with SG above, we are way too light in the forwards and, without some "old-head" signings in that area 10th spot will be a pipe-dream. Yes, we cannot expect instant success but we, also, shouldn't expect to be the whipping boys of SL. Enough said about Leeds, Mr Cummins, it is Bradford Bulls you are coaching, who do not have the financial backing your previous employers still have. I am worried that you may be relying on your ex-Leeds colleagues Mr Walker and Mr Scruton to bolster the pack next year but neither have come close to staying injury-free and match-fit in recently. So, the next signings should be two, big, brutish forwards with good pedigree and not an ex-Saints winger who even high-rolling Hull did not want to retain.

and just where are these two big props gunna come from? you talk as if they can just pick up a check-book and sign em. apart from the top 4 clubs who else has a prop you would be really excited to hear we had signed?
good experienced props are hard to come by in S/L thats why a lot are signing them from overseas, but it would appear that bulls can't afford to do that.
It's going to be a hard first season for FC and unless season ticket sales improve, dont look like gates are going to be up to much.
It's time to stop moaning and really get behind the team and the people who are trying thier best to get the bulls back to the top. but it's going to take time.

Solomon Grundy wrote:
Will some of you people read the articles properly please. They are saying that we will spend to the full cap are they not? Correct me if I am wrong.

Therefore why this nonsense about God bless Francis and quite how the lad will get us a team out at all given the circumstances ballyhoo is actually codswallop.

If he is spending to the cap then surely we can expect the same level of squad as last year?

A squad which had some FRONT ROW FORWARDS in it - because without them we'll get smashed week in week out in this competition.

We have seen how many players leave - 10? More? And brought just one guy in on loan.

I am now officially concerned. This has shades of the McNamara catastrophe all over it - emphasis on youth, bizarrely obsequious bowing down to the rhino before we even play them, and a squad that is badly light on size and numbers form the start.

Potter understood that crucial fact about this competition - you need size in the pack. Presently we are badly short of it without Kopczak, Elima, Hargreaves & Burgess T.

That we are heartng nothing whatsoever about filling those gaps leaves me very very worried.

Now he sacks the wingers - and what? Are we bringing any in? Does Francis have any plans for the season ahead? Would he like to share them with us apart from general waffle about young players and emulating Leeds.

We have just the 2 recognized half backs - both of whom were injured for large parts of last season. What are the plans should the same occur this year?

Who are we going to sign and in which areas? It is getting close to the start of pre season and as I see it we don't actually have a squad.

Don't think the RFL will agree that bulls can spend up to the salary cap. they were given money from the tv pool which was allotted for next season.no matter how much money our sponcers have, they will only be allowed to top up money they have already recieved to the salary cap. now i'm no expert but i feel sure thahow it works.
not for everybody mind.

Capabull wrote:

Shelfrhino wrote:
The difference between your skint club and the Rhino's is when our lads were coming through they had first class coaching, FC is a complete amateur in comparison.
Like others have said, your either spending the cap (not likely) or being lied to, either way you'll still be playing in front of four figure crowds.

At least they will have paid their own way into the match not relied on handouts from mummy and daddy!!

What are you jealous of?
Is it the fact that my dad buys my ST or the fact that I actually know who my dad is?

franklyn wrote:

Solomon Grundy wrote:
Will some of you people read the articles properly please. They are saying that we will spend to the full cap are they not? Correct me if I am wrong.

Therefore why this nonsense about God bless Francis and quite how the lad will get us a team out at all given the circumstances ballyhoo is actually codswallop.

If he is spending to the cap then surely we can expect the same level of squad as last year?

A squad which had some FRONT ROW FORWARDS in it - because without them we'll get smashed week in week out in this competition.

We have seen how many players leave - 10? More? And brought just one guy in on loan.

I am now officially concerned. This has shades of the McNamara catastrophe all over it - emphasis on youth, bizarrely obsequious bowing down to the rhino before we even play them, and a squad that is badly light on size and numbers form the start.

Potter understood that crucial fact about this competition - you need size in the pack. Presently we are badly short of it without Kopczak, Elima, Hargreaves & Burgess T.

That we are heartng nothing whatsoever about filling those gaps leaves me very very worried.

Now he sacks the wingers - and what? Are we bringing any in? Does Francis have any plans for the season ahead? Would he like to share them with us apart from general waffle about young players and emulating Leeds.

We have just the 2 recognized half backs - both of whom were injured for large parts of last season. What are the plans should the same occur this year?

Who are we going to sign and in which areas? It is getting close to the start of pre season and as I see it we don't actually have a squad.

Don't think the RFL will agree that bulls can spend up to the salary cap. they were given money from the tv pool which was allotted for next season.no matter how much money our sponcers have, they will only be allowed to top up money they have already recieved to the salary cap. now i'm no expert but i feel sure thahow it works.
not for everybody mind.

Two points there Franklyn>
1) It is nothing to do with the RFL how the Bulls spend the salary cap as long as they don't go above it!

2) the money owed to the Bulls for 2012 was advanced before the end of the season. They haven't drawn anything that wasn't theirs by rights. Plus the RFL were paid back everything they owed them, and they were left owning the lease on the stadium, which they purchased for at least 50% less than it's actual worth.
Don't you think people should stop thinking the RFL is some philantrophic benefactor?

raisemeup wrote:

franklyn wrote:

Solomon Grundy wrote:
Will some of you people read the articles properly please. They are saying that we will spend to the full cap are they not? Correct me if I am wrong.

Therefore why this nonsense about God bless Francis and quite how the lad will get us a team out at all given the circumstances ballyhoo is actually codswallop.

If he is spending to the cap then surely we can expect the same level of squad as last year?

A squad which had some FRONT ROW FORWARDS in it - because without them we'll get smashed week in week out in this competition.

We have seen how many players leave - 10? More? And brought just one guy in on loan.

I am now officially concerned. This has shades of the McNamara catastrophe all over it - emphasis on youth, bizarrely obsequious bowing down to the rhino before we even play them, and a squad that is badly light on size and numbers form the start.

Potter understood that crucial fact about this competition - you need size in the pack. Presently we are badly short of it without Kopczak, Elima, Hargreaves & Burgess T.

That we are heartng nothing whatsoever about filling those gaps leaves me very very worried.

Now he sacks the wingers - and what? Are we bringing any in? Does Francis have any plans for the season ahead? Would he like to share them with us apart from general waffle about young players and emulating Leeds.

We have just the 2 recognized half backs - both of whom were injured for large parts of last season. What are the plans should the same occur this year?

Who are we going to sign and in which areas? It is getting close to the start of pre season and as I see it we don't actually have a squad.

Don't think the RFL will agree that bulls can spend up to the salary cap. they were given money from the tv pool which was allotted for next season.no matter how much money our sponcers have, they will only be allowed to top up money they have already recieved to the salary cap. now i'm no expert but i feel sure thahow it works.
not for everybody mind.

Two points there Franklyn>
1) It is nothing to do with the RFL how the Bulls spend the salary cap as long as they don't go above it!

2) the money owed to the Bulls for 2012 was advanced before the end of the season. They haven't drawn anything that wasn't theirs by rights. Plus the RFL were paid back everything they owed them, and they were left owning the lease on the stadium, which they purchased for at least 50% less than it's actual worth.
Don't you think people should stop thinking the RFL is some philantrophic benefactor?

I never indicated the RFL could tell bulls how to spend thier money.
only they would only be allowed to spend up to the salary cap for 2013 season. if the money forwarded was for that peroid it would then count as part of the cap.
If i recall the RFL had already taken over lease at odsal when they forwarded the money to pay bulls wages for final 2 months of the season.
as for RFL being a benefactor. They were much appreciated at odsal at the end of the season.