Morrison backs Bulls to bounce back (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting TANEWS to 80360, or email
Morrison backs Bulls to bounce back
6:40am Monday 2nd March 2009 in Sport By Dave Craven
Glenn Morrison runs into solid defence during Friday's loss to Huddersfield
Glenn Morrison says the Bulls will learn from valuable lessons dished out by hardened Huddersfield.
Bradford crashed to a 16-12 home defeat against the physical Giants on Friday, with loose forward Morrison conceding they were outfought in the tackle area.
Although the hosts had plenty of ball, they were continually frustrated and still await their first Super League win of the season.
Morrison said: “Huddersfield got men into the tackle and slowed us down. They got us in the wrestle, did it all pretty good and it worked for them. They slowed us coming at them and it did get frustrating.
“When we were defending our defence was pretty good too. When we hit, we were hitting hard but there was a few times when we didn’t get the numbers in.
“Huddersfield got some quick play-the-balls and we know that’s what sides will try and do against us. It’s something we can work on.”
The Bulls have managed just three tries in their opening two matches and their lack of creativity is another issue.
But man-of-the-match Morrison, 32, sliced over off one well-worked move versus the Giants and he insists there will be more of the same soon.
“That (try) was one of those that we saw we had in front of us, it was called late and it worked,” he said.
“We’ve got the players to do that and we’re all confident more will come. We haven’t created enough to get over the line as much as we’d like so far but the more games we get under our belt the better.
“We’ve had a stop-start opening to the season and it hasn’t helped, while it is frustrating given the amount of ball we’ve had in both matches, but it’s just about getting into our stride. Our completion rate was high too so there’s plenty of positives.”
Meanwhile, the Bulls medical team will be working overtime before Saturday’s trip to Wigan.
Skipper Paul Deacon went off with a serious head wound on Friday and Morrison said: “It looked after the match like he’d been bottled.
“Deacs had a real gash around his eye and he’s got some healing to do. Burge (Sam Burgess) did his ankle while Tez (Terry Newton) thought he’d broken his arm in the first half.
“He couldn’t straighten it at all and had to get jabbed up to go back out because Wagga (Wayne Godwin) was injured, so we had a few walking wounded.”
Comments(34)
doctor.t
says...
12:09pm Mon 2 Mar 09
Again,the forwards are getting us into the opposition's 25,but there is a lack of guile to break down the defensive line.
Yes,we've had a stop-start beginning to the season,but any team serious about contending for honours MUST win the vast majority of their home games.
Here's hoping for a greatly improved performance,at what will be a real toughy at the JJB.
BBARL6
says...
12:43pm Mon 2 Mar 09
montoya6
says...
2:56pm Mon 2 Mar 09
The thought of having to watch a whole season of B.Jeffries and a lazy T.Newton is enough to drive me to despair. Hope im wrong!
haitch
says...
3:21pm Mon 2 Mar 09
Yes I was amongst the front runners calling for him to go but I think we forget. This guy was quite a player. His legs had gone and thus he was caught out far too often but we've lost his guile close to the line. His short and long passing game were excellent and we must replace him with quality. Now!.
I know he was slow but he created so much. Where is the creativity to come from now?
Gumshoe
says...
3:30pm Mon 2 Mar 09
haitch wrote:He would certainly be doing a better job at acting half than Tez is and has been doing. We would have done better to have grabbed Henderson from Cas before he went to Gateshead.
As far as I know I'm the only one to have mentioned Iestyn! Yes I was amongst the front runners calling for him to go but I think we forget. This guy was quite a player. His legs had gone and thus he was caught out far too often but we've lost his guile close to the line. His short and long passing game were excellent and we must replace him with quality. Now!. I know he was slow but he created so much. Where is the creativity to come from now?
The other thing is to make Morro captain and let Deacs work on his own game. I think we should be having a go at bringing Stephen Myler back from kick and clap at Northampton!!
haitch
says...
4:17pm Mon 2 Mar 09
BBARL6
says...
4:22pm Mon 2 Mar 09
Steve Mac for the Sack
says...
4:25pm Mon 2 Mar 09
Can see another loss on Saturday.
Steve Mac for the Sack
says...
5:37pm Mon 2 Mar 09
stubull
says...
6:00pm Mon 2 Mar 09
spanglishbull.uk
says...
6:19pm Mon 2 Mar 09
How many more times do we have to say,we have no half backs and if MacNamara says they are good enough he needs to go.
montoya6
says...
6:22pm Mon 2 Mar 09
stubull wrote:I think your assessment of the coaching team is very correct. Steve Mac has no experience of the position he finds himself in and Basil Richards wasn't rated at Queensbury in the pennine league! I'm sure there giving everything but they aren't good enough.
I can understand all the pessimism after two very poor performances and I am quickly losing confidence too. The forwards are largely doing the business and I am very impressed with Beaver and Scruton.Morro and Sam have been great and Cook never lets us down. The backs are the problem - our best back is at Wakey playing really well. My backs would be; Sykes, Halley, Crookes, Nero, Semi, Menzies and Deacon. My main concern is the quality of the coaching set up. The assistant coaches are not of a high enough standard in my opinion. What does anyone else think?
I would love to see Stephen Kearney coaching at Bradford as he has expressed an interest to coach over here and has great knowledge of playing at the highest level of the game and coaching at that level too.
Who knows he might complete his team by bringing R.Paul in to assist him. His enthusiasm could be invaluable.
stubull
says...
6:28pm Mon 2 Mar 09
haitch
says...
7:21pm Mon 2 Mar 09
I don't think we'll see Halley back at Bulls (unless under duress!) as he loves it at Wakey and I don't think there's love lost 'tween he and Macca.
My own view is Macca has about 3 games to turn things around. The reason being, he has had bad luck, first with Lynchy, Then the RFL messing up, then with the postponement at Quins, then the Sol, Langley injuries.
Yes they sound like excuses but these things really did happen.
Realsupporter
says...
8:15pm Mon 2 Mar 09
stubull wrote:What a load of cr~p ! wake up Robbie got 2 years & £200k more than he should have out of Bradford. He has £ & $ flowing in his veins. Robbie is a Divison one player now at best.I sail last year I would love to see Jimmy Lowes back at Odsal as a coach but look what a merss is going on at Warrington.We have no money & a squad of ordinary players which will give us ordinary results.
I agree completely montoya6. Robbie has the Bulls in his veins and kearney is top notch. I gave Stevie mac my full backing when Nobby left but some of his decisions of late have concerned me i.e. Halley, Platt's long contract, signing Sheriffe and Worrincy. I would feel more confident about Steve if he were to drop players who under-perform. We are supposed to have competition for places now - give the young lads a chance, at least they can run!
Wipsi
says...
10:10pm Mon 2 Mar 09
Steve Mac for the Sack
says...
11:34pm Mon 2 Mar 09
The man is a coaching tragedy. Get him out of the club.
moonmonkey
says...
12:11am Tue 3 Mar 09
when hull came asking for him before noble went he didnt want to go as he didnt have the experience to coach a first team but suprise he found it to coach us!!!
and what has he done? scewed us into the ground!
they blame lack of money but charging £17 to get in and watch that bunch of clowns i can understand why fans are staying at home and keeping warm
cj
says...
12:43am Tue 3 Mar 09
Tricky Dicky
says...
2:48am Tue 3 Mar 09
Adey
says...
8:38am Tue 3 Mar 09
doctor.t wrote:As I pointed out on another post the problem quite simply isn't the forwards. Anything but. We have a good and youthful front row, a mobile pack and a solid backrow. Unfortunately, we're getting no creativity from 6,7 & 9 and no finishing prowess from 1-5! We're lacking an out-and-out finisher, a real attacking centre and a half with ideas. If Deacon had Jeffries pace then he'd be superb, if Jeffries had Deacon's brain he'd be fantastic...unfortun
It is worrying that,given all the possession we had and,as Morrison says,a good completion rate,that we have scored only three tries in two home games,against so-called "unfancied" teams. Again,the forwards are getting us into the opposition's 25,but there is a lack of guile to break down the defensive line. Yes,we've had a stop-start beginning to the season,but any team serious about contending for honours MUST win the vast majority of their home games. Here's hoping for a greatly improved performance,at what will be a real toughy at the JJB.
ately we've got a half back who's trying to do it all alone and a stand off that can run but can't make a decision or pass.
As I said before, I'm not here to slate because I love this club. But enough is enough....we've been patient since 2006 and frankly the last two games have been a joke. I pay to see them play rugby not pass-drive and kick on the last. It's boring and for £17 a game (for those who don't have a season ticket!) as fans we should be demanding more!
Gumshoe
says...
9:10am Tue 3 Mar 09
haitch wrote:Think we have said before Haitch that we need Robbie back at the club not as a player but as the face of the club to get the atmosphere and support back up to scratch.
Hey, Robbie should never have left. Just having people like him around the club works wonders and he is great with the media. I don't think we'll see Halley back at Bulls (unless under duress!) as he loves it at Wakey and I don't think there's love lost 'tween he and Macca. My own view is Macca has about 3 games to turn things around. The reason being, he has had bad luck, first with Lynchy, Then the RFL messing up, then with the postponement at Quins, then the Sol, Langley injuries. Yes they sound like excuses but these things really did happen.
Macca does need direction and a kick in the pants from time to time when he makes poor decisions and comes out with the same old excuses. Stephen Kearney would be great, so would Millward or even Paul Cullen or Tony Rea but it is quite obvious he is now out of his depth. Basil is a decent coach when it comes to kids but not 1st team and St Hilaire was just a cheap option who has done nothing. Definately wouldnt want Nobby back.
What about giving the job to Beaver at end of season????
Think we need a massive change at Odsal for the future, we seem to be light years behind other clubs in the likes of stadia, finances, sponsors, players and potential, sad but true IMO.
password: heat-turn (it is turned on Macca and co)
flashdonut
says...
11:32am Tue 3 Mar 09
As for coaching, I have covered Macca's back since day 1. But even I am starting to wonder. He has his team. It's all his now. And we are clueless.
Would love Robbie back. Would love Brian Smith more. Greatest coach we have ever had.
Gumshoe
says...
1:37pm Tue 3 Mar 09
flashdonut wrote:We should try and snap up Danny Brough IMO!!
As ithers have said, our forwards are not the issue. They are dominating games. But our backs are tripe. Reckon I could play SO better than Jeffries. We need a pacy, un predictable half. Somebody that will get defences thinking. As for coaching, I have covered Macca's back since day 1. But even I am starting to wonder. He has his team. It's all his now. And we are clueless. Would love Robbie back. Would love Brian Smith more. Greatest coach we have ever had.
howard naylor
says...
1:51pm Tue 3 Mar 09
howard naylor
says...
1:51pm Tue 3 Mar 09
haitch
says...
2:37pm Tue 3 Mar 09
Just imagine if the visa had been refused when he wanted to join us but allowed if he signed for say, Saints or another S/L club in this country. There would have been an outcry.
This is the sort of thing you get when you allow a 'foreign' team to play in your league.
There MUST be one rule for all within the game, regardless of the different countries laws.
Come on RFL. It's bad enough having to cope with your silly ref's decisions without you also allowing an unfair advantage to the French club.
Gumshoe
says...
3:16pm Tue 3 Mar 09
haitch wrote:Knowing the powers that be at Red Hall, Celtic would have been allowed to sign them as well. Gives Catalans a very big advantage when they already have a decent team.
It surprises me we have not had more people on here condemning Catalans and the RFL over the signing of Bird and possibly Eastwood and/or Crocker. Just imagine if the visa had been refused when he wanted to join us but allowed if he signed for say, Saints or another S/L club in this country. There would have been an outcry. This is the sort of thing you get when you allow a 'foreign' team to play in your league. There MUST be one rule for all within the game, regardless of the different countries laws. Come on RFL. It's bad enough having to cope with your silly ref's decisions without you also allowing an unfair advantage to the French club.
It stinks to be honest but sadly our people i.e. Hood havent the guts to argue and challenge the decisions on behalf of the club.
Good afternoon Howard by the way, you were right, class did show through in the WCC!!!
howard naylor
says...
4:38pm Tue 3 Mar 09
montoya6
says...
6:12pm Tue 3 Mar 09
prop idol
says...
9:24pm Tue 3 Mar 09
Adey wrote:Good youthfull front row? Newton?? Problem not in the forwards but we are getting no creativity from 6,7 and 9. 9 is a pivotal forward Adey!!
doctor.t wrote: It is worrying that,given all the possession we had and,as Morrison says,a good completion rate,that we have scored only three tries in two home games,against so-called "unfancied" teams. Again,the forwards are getting us into the opposition's 25,but there is a lack of guile to break down the defensive line. Yes,we've had a stop-start beginning to the season,but any team serious about contending for honours MUST win the vast majority of their home games. Here's hoping for a greatly improved performance,at what will be a real toughy at the JJB.As I pointed out on another post the problem quite simply isn't the forwards. Anything but. We have a good and youthful front row, a mobile pack and a solid backrow. Unfortunately, we're getting no creativity from 6,7 & 9 and no finishing prowess from 1-5! We're lacking an out-and-out finisher, a real attacking centre and a half with ideas. If Deacon had Jeffries pace then he'd be superb, if Jeffries had Deacon's brain he'd be fantastic...unfortun ately we've got a half back who's trying to do it all alone and a stand off that can run but can't make a decision or pass. As I said before, I'm not here to slate because I love this club. But enough is enough....we've been patient since 2006 and frankly the last two games have been a joke. I pay to see them play rugby not pass-drive and kick on the last. It's boring and for £17 a game (for those who don't have a season ticket!) as fans we should be demanding more!
howard naylor
says...
1:07pm Wed 4 Mar 09
Surely the RFL should treat all clubs as working under UK law?
doctor.t
says...
2:04pm Wed 4 Mar 09
howard naylor wrote:Now stop it,Howard,there you go again,talking sense!!
If that Greg Bird does sign for the Dragons then surely he will only be able to play Home games as he will be denied access to work in the UK!
Surely the RFL should treat all clubs as working under UK law?
It strikes me there can be no way Bird can be allowed into the U.K.,and actually play.He may not even be allowed in as a visitor.
The R.F.L. could be in real deep water with this one!!
click2find
Steve Mac for the Sack says...
11:41am Mon 2 Mar 09
I can feel the old in jury line coming on though.