Bradford Bulls backed to regroup for Castleford test

7:40am Tuesday 12th February 2013 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter

Elliott Whitehead insists the Bulls are a strong enough group to shake off the disappointment of their first defeat of the season Elliott Whitehead insists the Bulls are a strong enough group to shake off the disappointment of their first defeat of the season

Elliott Whitehead believes the Bulls can bounce straight back to winning ways against Castleford this weekend.

Sunday’s 28-12 defeat at Hull FC condemned Francis Cummins’ men to their first loss of the season and served as a reality check after the opening-day annihilation of Wakefield.

Yet Whitehead is confident his side can quickly reproduce the form which saw them destroy the Wildcats as they gear up for successive Saturday home matches against Castleford and St Helens.

The homegrown second-rower said: “We didn’t get off to the best start at Hull – they got a few repeat sets and scored an early try.

“We worked our way back into the game and had chances but just didn’t take them.

“Castleford had a good win against Leeds at the weekend but we’re a strong group and we’ll prepare well this week.”

Whitehead, meanwhile, says he was delighted to be invited to be part of the England Knights squad who recently attended a get-together in Bury.

John Bateman and Luke Gale were also present as they continue their recovery from injury ahead of scheduled comebacks early next month.

Whitehead said: “I enjoyed it and hopefully I’ll get a game this year for the England Knights.

“I just want to play well for Bradford and hopefully Steve McNamara will take notice, pick me for the Knights and then for the World Cup later this year.”

Michael Platt will undergo a head test ahead of the Castleford match after suffering concussion and being withdrawn in the early stages of the defeat at Hull.

Comments(30)

JAtkinson says...
8:15am Tue 12 Feb 13

Cas had a great win at Leeds so will be a tough test (even if Rangi Chase doesn't figure (any news on this?)) but the Bulls will need to muscle up and dominate their forwards if they're to win and show true aspirations for a top 8 finish. Early days in the season, but this is a four-pointer.

COYB

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flashdonut says...
8:30am Tue 12 Feb 13

JAtkinson wrote:
Cas had a great win at Leeds so will be a tough test (even if Rangi Chase doesn't figure (any news on this?)) but the Bulls will need to muscle up and dominate their forwards if they're to win and show true aspirations for a top 8 finish. Early days in the season, but this is a four-pointer.

COYB
Won't disagree with any of that. Rangi will probably get a ban, he did last year so I doubt he will looked on favourably.
But as you said, these are must win games. 7th, 8th, 9th spots will be battled between Cas, Bulls, HKR. FC away is acceptable, but to make the play offs we have to beat Cas at home.

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wembley bound says...
8:54am Tue 12 Feb 13

I thought bulls were going to finish top ? That's what viking and Sheff were professing I am sure unless they were just talking about who would be on top.

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MeccaBingo1 says...
9:01am Tue 12 Feb 13

Cas never really perform well after a good win, so my money is on a Bradford win this week, if FC plays players in proper positions!

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Sheffieldbull says...
9:08am Tue 12 Feb 13

Ignoring the damaged goods at 8.54, it's important too learn from the poor performance at the KC. It was poor decision making, and inadvisable to try and take the game to Hull 'up the middle', and we left it too late to implement plan B.
Roll on Saturday, lets hope for a more expansive game plan and treat the fans to the sort of rugby we produced vs Wakey.

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bullybullman says...
10:00am Tue 12 Feb 13

We need to be a lot better in a lot of areas to beat Cas on Saturday, I hope we can improve dramatically for the performance at Hull.

Yesterday we said no excuses today we are getting excuses ! knuckle down boys & play the basics & stick to it we should improve.

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haitch says...
10:08am Tue 12 Feb 13

Well guys, great win against Wakey and to be honest we never expected to beat Hull. It's early season and just be thankful theres a team to watch after all that's gone on. Best wishes to all my good mates on here, I still keep up to speed and the Red Amber and Black still flows. I won't be taking part in this forum and I see many others have opted out since sad individuals like this "Wembley bound" take pleasure in spoiling it for the majority. So surprised clowns like that are not monitored more closely by the Mods and posts removed.
I hope City win at Wembley but if they get the expected hammering, I'm sure a few of you will let it be known to the idiot! Here's to a great season for our beloved Bulls...Cheers.

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Wipsi says...
10:48am Tue 12 Feb 13

haitch wrote:
Well guys, great win against Wakey and to be honest we never expected to beat Hull. It's early season and just be thankful theres a team to watch after all that's gone on. Best wishes to all my good mates on here, I still keep up to speed and the Red Amber and Black still flows. I won't be taking part in this forum and I see many others have opted out since sad individuals like this "Wembley bound" take pleasure in spoiling it for the majority. So surprised clowns like that are not monitored more closely by the Mods and posts removed. I hope City win at Wembley but if they get the expected hammering, I'm sure a few of you will let it be known to the idiot! Here's to a great season for our beloved Bulls...Cheers.
Welcome back Haitch, how are you keeping,see this forum has changed a bit since you and I used to have common sense conversations.
I only appear fleetingly these days jusy to spike up the trolls.
Take care.

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wembley bound says...
11:28am Tue 12 Feb 13

Viking good day to you sir.

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franklyn says...
11:34am Tue 12 Feb 13

Wipsi wrote:
haitch wrote:
Well guys, great win against Wakey and to be honest we never expected to beat Hull. It's early season and just be thankful theres a team to watch after all that's gone on. Best wishes to all my good mates on here, I still keep up to speed and the Red Amber and Black still flows. I won't be taking part in this forum and I see many others have opted out since sad individuals like this "Wembley bound" take pleasure in spoiling it for the majority. So surprised clowns like that are not monitored more closely by the Mods and posts removed. I hope City win at Wembley but if they get the expected hammering, I'm sure a few of you will let it be known to the idiot! Here's to a great season for our beloved Bulls...Cheers.
Welcome back Haitch, how are you keeping,see this forum has changed a bit since you and I used to have common sense conversations.
I only appear fleetingly these days jusy to spike up the trolls.
Take care.
Yes nice to hear from haitch, but don't think he will be back on a regular basis.
To much trash talked by a few,
Best way to treat the idiots who just come on here to try disrupt the sensible RL conversation is to totally ignore them. don't rise to them or even answer their idiotic comments.They will just get fed up and go away.
Can't understand why the T&A allow their comments to get on here.
Think a win is a must on saturday, its going to be a real scrap for places 5 to 8 at the end of the season and if we loose games like Cas at home it's going to be hard to get into that top 8.

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Wipsi says...
11:36am Tue 12 Feb 13

Mongrels broke out again again!

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haitch says...
12:07pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Wipsi wrote:
Mongrels broke out again again!
See you can still fit 'em up Wipsi, I miss our banter mate but I'll be keeping an eye on the site just in case anyone needs back up!! Hope you are well. Hi Frank, Email me anytime.

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wembley bound says...
1:06pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Aww that's nice, Not sure what site I post on these days, Lots of flirting between men going on its strange.

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Prycey says...
2:01pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Nice to see your name on here again Haitch. You are right. The conversations on here are now very poor. The T and A have absolutely no standards or policy regarding this. They should allow an external moderator to help. I can’t understand why some people behave like this. They wouldn’t work for me if I found out they had this sort of mind set. Anyway, better things to talk about than a few people with problems. Hope you are well and let’s hope the Bulls can scrape into the top eight as that would be a result after last year. I think Franny will make a decent coach if he gets through this first couple of seasons without too many disasters or being compared to Macca to many times if we lose a few.

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Wipsi says...
2:30pm Tue 12 Feb 13

wembley bound wrote:
Aww that's nice, Not sure what site I post on these days, Lots of flirting between men going on its strange.
Back in your kennel now, come on

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spanglishbull.uk says...
3:05pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Hi haitch,Nice to hear from you again,like you I have got fed up of reading no marks who know nothing about sport and have obviously never taken part in any.Hope you are well Prycey and Viking.I am fine here living in the sun but still miss my trips to the Bulls.Like all sensible sportsmen I hope City manage a win in the Final,although they have two important games before then.

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Bull4eva says...
3:24pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Good afternoon all. How are we all??

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wembley bound says...
5:44pm Tue 12 Feb 13

spanglishbull.uk wrote:
Hi haitch,Nice to hear from you again,like you I have got fed up of reading no marks who know nothing about sport and have obviously never taken part in any.Hope you are well Prycey and Viking.I am fine here living in the sun but still miss my trips to the Bulls.Like all sensible sportsmen I hope City manage a win in the Final,although they have two important games before then.
Viking give it up

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col 64 says...
6:11pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Hello haitch glad to see you posting again.sheff told me you had been in touch.we still stand in the same place so maybe see you soon.

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spanglishbull.uk says...
6:44pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Wrong again Dumbo,I know where Viking lives and it certainly is not Spain

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haitch says...
7:49pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Hi Col and Spanglish.. nice to know you are fighting fit See you are still banging on about that weather Spanglish..you'll be getting quite soft mate. ...Who knows Col, might see you when the weather gets a little bit more like the Spanglish stuff!. Good to see you are still cheering the lads on and Prycey, don't let the idiots off the hook mate keep your posts coming, always a pleasure to read some sense instead of the drivel spouted by that idiot wembley wibble wobble.

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Wipsi says...
7:51pm Tue 12 Feb 13

wembley bound wrote:
spanglishbull.uk wrote: Hi haitch,Nice to hear from you again,like you I have got fed up of reading no marks who know nothing about sport and have obviously never taken part in any.Hope you are well Prycey and Viking.I am fine here living in the sun but still miss my trips to the Bulls.Like all sensible sportsmen I hope City manage a win in the Final,although they have two important games before then.
Viking give it up
Hey Wigwam Blonde,thought that you being a number 1 city fan you'd have been at Wycombe tonight

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Sheffieldbull says...
8:04pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Greetings Haitch, as you can see the only changes on here tend to be for the worse - same idiots, different user names, irritating but now't else.
.
You still tapping and venting? Hope the 'Tash' is doing well.
.
I smile when the 'damaged goods' make aspersions about posters on here without realising that many know each other, sit in the stand or gather on the terraces or have a drink together. Many know each other through 'non anonymous' social media sites etc.... It doesn't realise how ridiculous it is!
.
Keep well mate, the next pints on me mate.... and ...COYBs!

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bullslad17 says...
8:51pm Tue 12 Feb 13

JAtkinson wrote:
Cas had a great win at Leeds so will be a tough test (even if Rangi Chase doesn't figure (any news on this?)) but the Bulls will need to muscle up and dominate their forwards if they're to win and show true aspirations for a top 8 finish. Early days in the season, but this is a four-pointer.

COYB
Chase has a two match ban.

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Wembley Bound. says...
8:53pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Blah blah...Bulls will get beat..., City are great..blah blah..something about Viking, whom I have a secret crush on. Just about sums up all my posts.

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wembley bound says...
9:34pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Ignore the troll oh yeah .

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Wembley Bound. says...
10:40pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Blah Blah, can't think of anything interesting or witty to say. Don't understand punctuation either...Blah Blah...YAWNNNNN

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Wipsi says...
10:50pm Tue 12 Feb 13

Had your pedigree chum tonight,because you certainly won't be getting WINALOT

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helenshep says...
8:33am Wed 13 Feb 13

Wipsi wrote:
haitch wrote: Well guys, great win against Wakey and to be honest we never expected to beat Hull. It's early season and just be thankful theres a team to watch after all that's gone on. Best wishes to all my good mates on here, I still keep up to speed and the Red Amber and Black still flows. I won't be taking part in this forum and I see many others have opted out since sad individuals like this "Wembley bound" take pleasure in spoiling it for the majority. So surprised clowns like that are not monitored more closely by the Mods and posts removed. I hope City win at Wembley but if they get the expected hammering, I'm sure a few of you will let it be known to the idiot! Here's to a great season for our beloved Bulls...Cheers.
Welcome back Haitch, how are you keeping,see this forum has changed a bit since you and I used to have common sense conversations. I only appear fleetingly these days jusy to spike up the trolls. Take care.
Welcome back Haitch, good to hear from you again hope you are well. This forum has changed so much and like you say many of us have opted out. It's a shame as we used to have some great disussions on her. We didn't all share the same views but at least there was respect and not the nasty comments that seem to appear today. Just so glad we still have our great club and it's great to see Bradford City doing well. Keep in touch Haitch,

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wembley bound says...
3:13pm Wed 13 Feb 13

Thanks for that Helen, it sure has changed but I have kept up on developments.

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