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Bulls 24 Hull FC 36

Confidence-zapped Bulls spluttered to a third successive defeat as their worst-ever start to a Super League season gathered pace.

Bradford still await their first victory after four games and - despite fielding their strongest side yet - showed little sign of getting it against an unbeaten Hull FC.

Andy Lynch returned and was one of the few to impress in his first match since last September.

Jamie Langley was also back in the squad while Jason Crookes, 18, made his Super League debut at centre.

But the hosts badly lacked confidence and it was obvious from the off, Nick Scruton fumbling in only the second tackle of the match.

That saw Richard Horne slice over after just 89 seconds and there was no turning back for the Black and Whites who chalked up their fifth straight triumph.

Kirk Yeaman crossed inside six minutes and, although Ben Jeffries responded with a Bulls try, the Great Britain centre got his second and Craig Hall also touched down to put Hull in the ascendancy.

Winger Rikki Sheriffe grabbed his second of the season just before the hooter to give Bulls hope, Deacon adding his second conversion, but with Danny Tickle having booted three himself, the visitors still led 22-12.

A Tickle penalty followed swiftly by a breakaway Chris Thorman try left Bradford chasing further still early in the second half.

Semi Tadulala collected a Jeffries cross-field kick in the corner for their third effort only for the brilliant Manu to blast through more weak defence to hand Hall his brace.

Aussie Steve Menzies got a well-deserved effort in the 70th minute but it was too little too late for Steve McNamara’s struggling side.

Comments(59)

Biker71 says...
5:16pm Sun 15 Mar 09

hahahahahahahahahaha
...

I have to laugh, if I didnt I dread to think what would happen.

andy j says...
5:24pm Sun 15 Mar 09

well i expected to lose by alot bigger margin than that we were better with sykes at full back i thought nero gave is all as did lynch, sheriffe was hopeless most of the game i thought jeffries had a half decent game too. mcnamara was booed off at halftime i personally don,t think there is a coach out there can make this team play better this, this is as good as it gets, once again it took us 45 mins to get into the richard dunn car park one attendant taking the money and when we came out there was a notice on my car saying they are putting the prices upto £5 per car from 10th of april! are the bulls so hard up!

damo37 says...
5:32pm Sun 15 Mar 09

what a pile off please macca do the rite thing and go and take your backroom staff with you

micksey says...
5:51pm Sun 15 Mar 09

Very disappointing, we lost it in the first 6 minutes with some pathetic defending. From that poitn we scored 24 points same as Hull did, and some of the defending for their other tries was woeful too.

Why did we start so lacklustre?
Why did we only inject some real urgency in the final 20 minutes? Why did Deacon only hoist high kicks when the game was lost?

My feeling is there is a lot more ability in the side than is being seen. Nero is playing very well, and thank heaven for Glen Morrison. We saw again what a class act Beaver can be too. But what has happened to Sam Burgess? His body language is very poor indeed. So, where do we go from here? We needed a win, or at least a die trying effort, we got neither.

Noone has stuck up for Macca more than me, but this is painful to watch now, we are dreadful. I think there has to be a change of coach.

montoya6 says...
6:04pm Sun 15 Mar 09

To say they where so keen to make up for the Wigan game they didn't half start the game playing soft. The second Hull try was embarrassing to watch.

I can now see why Mr Hood is touting to turn the pitch around what with the signing of Sheriffe and all!

Very poor.

shaun from richmond says...
6:07pm Sun 15 Mar 09

micksey wrote:
Very disappointing, we lost it in the first 6 minutes with some pathetic defending. From that poitn we scored 24 points same as Hull did, and some of the defending for their other tries was woeful too. Why did we start so lacklustre? Why did we only inject some real urgency in the final 20 minutes? Why did Deacon only hoist high kicks when the game was lost? My feeling is there is a lot more ability in the side than is being seen. Nero is playing very well, and thank heaven for Glen Morrison. We saw again what a class act Beaver can be too. But what has happened to Sam Burgess? His body language is very poor indeed. So, where do we go from here? We needed a win, or at least a die trying effort, we got neither. Noone has stuck up for Macca more than me, but this is painful to watch now, we are dreadful. I think there has to be a change of coach.
I have to say I agree with your summary!
In the end its players who get the coach the sack....This bunch have given up on McNamara, Id given up on him half way through last year!!
Burgess our only class player has thrown in the towel on the coach!!
SO.....Its up to Hood to act!!

jaydeebee says...
6:27pm Sun 15 Mar 09

why do you fans keep on going to these matches and wasting money on watching them lose. They dont even try. they're rubbish. time to lose the coach before they lose their fans

rumour mill says...
6:44pm Sun 15 Mar 09

It's very clear that the players have lost confidence in Macca. But, there is no money to bring in a big name coach to replace him.

I feel the season will be much of the same.

salsa14 says...
6:59pm Sun 15 Mar 09

I have to comment on the support (or lack of it) from the Bulls fans at todays game. don't get me wrong i am as frustrated as the next fan that the bulls are not peforming but I don't think booing them is the way to go. Come on fans lets get behind the bulls and show them our support! Come on you bulls!!!

johntheumpire says...
7:21pm Sun 15 Mar 09

There is simply no doubt about it. This man and his colleagues simply HAVE to go! I have said it before and I'll say it again, there is a former Bulls prop doing well as head coach at Harlequins! Come back north, Brian! You'd be warmly welcomed! Brian McDermott would be a good choice as far as I can see! He'd be a vast improvement on the present incumbent and his hapless cronies! The players would show much more spirit than they are doing right now!
I believe that although this is not a good side, there is more abilty than is currently being displayed. It's just that the coaching is so bad!

col 64 says...
7:22pm Sun 15 Mar 09

just got home after a round trip of 180 miles had to watchmy beloved team who showed no redeaming features at all.we have two wingers who cant defend and nobody to move us about the park.we dont support abreak when it comes let alone the man with the ball

HANLEY IS A LEGEND says...
7:26pm Sun 15 Mar 09

In simple terms :- SACK THE COACH!!!

Sorry Hatich no more excuses can be reeled out.
Sorry mate!!
Over to the board to do the honest thing.Please put Macca out of his misery.
To say that he has been involved with the national side the Bradford team put out this season is a disgrace!!

jaydeebee says...
7:34pm Sun 15 Mar 09

Has anyone else read the report on skysports website, what Macca has said..the man is a joke.

haitch says...
7:34pm Sun 15 Mar 09

Listened to the game and have to say the comments on radio pretty much echo what you guys are saying.
They ended up asking the question re the future of the coach too.
It is very worrying. Even so early in the season fans are writing the Bulls off. We MUST change the coaching set-up. Have a clear the air meeting and get the show back on the road. When you get micksey and I calling for the coaches head...It's bad!

HANLEY IS A LEGEND says...
7:35pm Sun 15 Mar 09

Why are people saying today we cant get rid of the coach because we have no money at Bradford. If we carry on as we are doing we will have no spectors left!!
I agree with the earlier comment. Why cant we go for Mcdermott or some other coach with point to prove. They cant do any worse!!

johntheumpire says...
7:36pm Sun 15 Mar 09

As regards MacNamara's involvement with the national team, just remember what a shambles he and Tony Smith made of it! It was an embarrassment! (Just like today!)

bradfordroadbull says...
7:36pm Sun 15 Mar 09

The booing was not for the team but for McNamara when he was seen going pitchside at the half time and at the end of the game.
The side has no team spirit. These are players that are not playing the game together but are playing on their own hense the lack of support when we did eventually make a break through the Hull side.
As 1 comment I overheard said, if we get 60 or 70 points put past us if he is still in charge at easter when Leeds come to us, then him and his team will definalty be out.

Mick De Bull says...
7:36pm Sun 15 Mar 09

Today was bad, hull fans would not even take an offer of by one get one free, any bidy outy there want macca as a coach he is free. You have to drink to get over this, no excuses WE WERE CRAP

Realsupporter says...
7:39pm Sun 15 Mar 09

Well what a suprise the boo boys are out ! stop going stop suporting & stop moaning. Macca is not to blame the whole squad is under a low moral & fear factor. If we would have won today it would have not been good enough. Macca is not the problem we need to keep the faith things will come good.

HANLEY IS A LEGEND says...
7:44pm Sun 15 Mar 09

Realsupporter wrote:
Well what a suprise the boo boys are out ! stop going stop suporting & stop moaning. Macca is not to blame the whole squad is under a low moral & fear factor. If we would have won today it would have not been good enough. Macca is not the problem we need to keep the faith things will come good.
What is the problem then?

haitch says...
7:46pm Sun 15 Mar 09

HANLEY IS A LEGEND wrote:
Why are people saying today we cant get rid of the coach because we have no money at Bradford. If we carry on as we are doing we will have no spectors left!! I agree with the earlier comment. Why cant we go for Mcdermott or some other coach with point to prove. They cant do any worse!!
I'm actually agreeing with you Hanley. I have wanted the fans to give Macca every chance but since the Wigan fiasco there is no going back. Bulls have a very serious problem and it MUST be addresed quickly. I agree the excuse of not having the money for a coach is pretty thin as they could use the money allocated for Birds wages.
What concerns me is, who would come? I reckon Brian Mac wouldn't leave Quinns for Bulls in a hurry. Someone in the lower leagues? Hanley?

bradfordroadbull says...
7:51pm Sun 15 Mar 09

Am afraid people's faith has been tested to the limit. The problems go back further than the start of this season and were apparent last season to.
Macca has had long enough. As I have said on previous posts Macca is a nice guy and Bulls fans deep down hate to see one of there own getting dragged through the ringer like this. But for the good of the club change is needed soon rather than later.
If he is still in charge at the Catalans cup tie and we lose there is an argument for saying the season is over. Best the board act now for the good of the club and to stop the torture for Macca. Having people booing you when you come down at half and full time must have hurt. Best for all concerned a prting of the ways is sorted now.

Realsupporter says...
7:52pm Sun 15 Mar 09

We have no money & a squad of fringe players how will sacking Macca help things. For years we have seen Cas fans turn up & shout on their team in tough times so why not get behind ours. Glory boys the lot of you on here get a grip of reality. We are re-building it may take 3 years the best man is in the job who would you have ? Noble who caused this mess ? Millward what did he do at Wigan ? its frustrating but sacking Macca will not help our cause.

haitch says...
7:54pm Sun 15 Mar 09

Realsupporter wrote:
Well what a suprise the boo boys are out ! stop going stop suporting & stop moaning. Macca is not to blame the whole squad is under a low moral & fear factor. If we would have won today it would have not been good enough. Macca is not the problem we need to keep the faith things will come good.
I don't think Macca is to BLAME. Just accept he is not good enough.
The main problem is the fans will walk in their droves unless Hood is seen to do something positive.
You Riddlesden guys are usually positive. Its easy when you live on the sunny side of Keighley?.

HANLEY IS A LEGEND says...
7:54pm Sun 15 Mar 09

I would go for Brian Mac, Morgan at HKR,or John Kear.
My mate would go for the Salford coach even though they are struggling at the moment,& he has done it at the highest level of superleague.

Realsupporter says...
7:55pm Sun 15 Mar 09

Mick De Bull wrote:
Today was bad, hull fans would not even take an offer of by one get one free, any bidy outy there want macca as a coach he is free. You have to drink to get over this, no excuses WE WERE CRAP
Any chance of this in english.

haitch says...
7:58pm Sun 15 Mar 09

Realsupporter wrote:
We have no money & a squad of fringe players how will sacking Macca help things. For years we have seen Cas fans turn up & shout on their team in tough times so why not get behind ours. Glory boys the lot of you on here get a grip of reality. We are re-building it may take 3 years the best man is in the job who would you have ? Noble who caused this mess ? Millward what did he do at Wigan ? its frustrating but sacking Macca will not help our cause.
Yes but you could say "Millward what did he do at Saints"
Wigan fans hated Millward just because he came from Saints. He never fit in there. Still he'll never be seen at Bulls. I'm sure.

Realsupporter says...
8:00pm Sun 15 Mar 09

haitch wrote:
Realsupporter wrote: Well what a suprise the boo boys are out ! stop going stop suporting & stop moaning. Macca is not to blame the whole squad is under a low moral & fear factor. If we would have won today it would have not been good enough. Macca is not the problem we need to keep the faith things will come good.
I don't think Macca is to BLAME. Just accept he is not good enough. The main problem is the fans will walk in their droves unless Hood is seen to do something positive. You Riddlesden guys are usually positive. Its easy when you live on the sunny side of Keighley?.
Your spot on mate living on the sunny side of Bradford makes you positive. I also support Keighley & it does give you a stomach for a fight. All im saying is look at the bigger picture.

HANLEY IS A LEGEND says...
8:00pm Sun 15 Mar 09

Realsupporter wrote:
We have no money & a squad of fringe players how will sacking Macca help things. For years we have seen Cas fans turn up & shout on their team in tough times so why not get behind ours. Glory boys the lot of you on here get a grip of reality. We are re-building it may take 3 years the best man is in the job who would you have ? Noble who caused this mess ? Millward what did he do at Wigan ? its frustrating but sacking Macca will not help our cause.
My question is who has brought in the fringe players?

By the way I have watched Northern ,& Bulls through the good and bad times.
I dont really want to go to the bad times again..

rumour mill says...
8:07pm Sun 15 Mar 09

If you want a continuing re-build call Westfield in. He had 3 years and we have gone backwards, not forwards. That to me is a demolition not a re-build.

Glory supporting has nothing to do with it. If you had a winning team at work and made it worse in 3 years, would you still have a job?

haitch says...
8:08pm Sun 15 Mar 09

There is a very poignant saying "Nip it in the Bud" the longer this set up remains the more cancerous it may become?

I don't want to knock anyone but .If it looks like a poor coach, gets results like a poor coach and makes excuses like a poor coach...then it probably IS a poor coach.

Realsupporter says...
8:09pm Sun 15 Mar 09

HANLEY IS A LEGEND wrote:
Realsupporter wrote: We have no money & a squad of fringe players how will sacking Macca help things. For years we have seen Cas fans turn up & shout on their team in tough times so why not get behind ours. Glory boys the lot of you on here get a grip of reality. We are re-building it may take 3 years the best man is in the job who would you have ? Noble who caused this mess ? Millward what did he do at Wigan ? its frustrating but sacking Macca will not help our cause.
My question is who has brought in the fringe players? By the way I have watched Northern ,& Bulls through the good and bad times. I dont really want to go to the bad times again..
If you can only afford fringe players what else can you get. Macca has bought what he can with his budget. The idea of bringing Menzies in to lead the way with youth is a good one but it costs money. Look at Crooks outstanding we have hope. Platt is a mistake no doubt Scrouton is a good signing but lacks confidence. We need two good half backs thats all thats missing but where do we find the cash for the players. If we can tempt some good Aussies we have a chance but it all costs. Macca is the man, Mcdermott has done nothing at quinns unless we get Brain Smith back let Macca stay this season & see what happens. Gents at the end of he day its only a game ( & ladies )

cockneybull says...
8:13pm Sun 15 Mar 09

If Macca has lost the players then he has to go, albeit it will not be easy for any incoming coach no matter how good they are. This team is full of very average players. How many would be first picks at Saints or Rhinos. Performances might improve, (can they get any worse), but we will win nothing with this lot. Much more of this rubbish and kiss goodbye to Burgess, he will want to win trophies.

See you all at the next home game though!!

Loz03 says...
8:13pm Sun 15 Mar 09

I heard that Burgess is injured at the moment? Maybe that explains why he isn't playing as well as he should be? But I've got to agree with you... whatever the problem is with the team or the coach or whatever... it just needs sorting because the more they play bad the more supporters are just going to stop going because all they do is get frustrated at what they see week in week out because its the same problems every week!
If its Macca get another coach and if its the players then get them sorted!

Realsupporter says...
8:13pm Sun 15 Mar 09

haitch wrote:
There is a very poignant saying "Nip it in the Bud" the longer this set up remains the more cancerous it may become? I don't want to knock anyone but .If it looks like a poor coach, gets results like a poor coach and makes excuses like a poor coach...then it probably IS a poor coach.
Another poignant saying " you only sing when your winning" another one " you crazy fool "we will be the A TEAM agian ! I love the bulls.

haitch says...
8:15pm Sun 15 Mar 09

Realsupporter wrote:
HANLEY IS A LEGEND wrote:
Realsupporter wrote: We have no money & a squad of fringe players how will sacking Macca help things. For years we have seen Cas fans turn up & shout on their team in tough times so why not get behind ours. Glory boys the lot of you on here get a grip of reality. We are re-building it may take 3 years the best man is in the job who would you have ? Noble who caused this mess ? Millward what did he do at Wigan ? its frustrating but sacking Macca will not help our cause.
My question is who has brought in the fringe players? By the way I have watched Northern ,& Bulls through the good and bad times. I dont really want to go to the bad times again..
If you can only afford fringe players what else can you get. Macca has bought what he can with his budget. The idea of bringing Menzies in to lead the way with youth is a good one but it costs money. Look at Crooks outstanding we have hope. Platt is a mistake no doubt Scrouton is a good signing but lacks confidence. We need two good half backs thats all thats missing but where do we find the cash for the players. If we can tempt some good Aussies we have a chance but it all costs. Macca is the man, Mcdermott has done nothing at quinns unless we get Brain Smith back let Macca stay this season & see what happens. Gents at the end of he day its only a game ( & ladies )
You are my type of supporter mate. Trouble is if we leave things alone the crowds will dwindle and the situation can get out of control. Justice has to be seen to be done and that means a change NOW. Nevertheless your support for the Bulls and the set up is to be commended IMO!.

bradfordroadbull says...
8:17pm Sun 15 Mar 09

rumour mill wrote:
If you want a continuing re-build call Westfield in. He had 3 years and we have gone backwards, not forwards. That to me is a demolition not a re-build. Glory supporting has nothing to do with it. If you had a winning team at work and made it worse in 3 years, would you still have a job?
Spot on. We have regressed and hit reverse gear. Rebuilding involves starting from firm foundations and working up.
The foundations at Odsal at the moment are shaky at best. Non-existent at worse. Change is needed now to firm up the foundations. Suggest an experienced old head of a coach. Go out and get John Kear or somebody who has built up a side from nothing yet has bags of coaching experience is John Dixon at Celtic Crusaders. But suspect he will want to finish the building job in Bridgend first.

HANLEY IS A LEGEND says...
8:18pm Sun 15 Mar 09

Sad thing about leaving Odsal today is that I knew what the result was before kick off!!
I just hope there is light at the end of the tunnel: ie new coach in the next couple of days.
Sorry folks its just my opinion to the future of the club?

haitch says...
8:22pm Sun 15 Mar 09

HANLEY IS A LEGEND wrote:
Sad thing about leaving Odsal today is that I knew what the result was before kick off!! I just hope there is light at the end of the tunnel: ie new coach in the next couple of days. Sorry folks its just my opinion to the future of the club?
I have no business agreeing with you Hanley. We have history!!!
Sorry to say mate, You're right.

Realsupporter says...
8:34pm Sun 15 Mar 09

haitch wrote:
Realsupporter wrote:
HANLEY IS A LEGEND wrote:
Realsupporter wrote: We have no money & a squad of fringe players how will sacking Macca help things. For years we have seen Cas fans turn up & shout on their team in tough times so why not get behind ours. Glory boys the lot of you on here get a grip of reality. We are re-building it may take 3 years the best man is in the job who would you have ? Noble who caused this mess ? Millward what did he do at Wigan ? its frustrating but sacking Macca will not help our cause.
My question is who has brought in the fringe players? By the way I have watched Northern ,& Bulls through the good and bad times. I dont really want to go to the bad times again..
If you can only afford fringe players what else can you get. Macca has bought what he can with his budget. The idea of bringing Menzies in to lead the way with youth is a good one but it costs money. Look at Crooks outstanding we have hope. Platt is a mistake no doubt Scrouton is a good signing but lacks confidence. We need two good half backs thats all thats missing but where do we find the cash for the players. If we can tempt some good Aussies we have a chance but it all costs. Macca is the man, Mcdermott has done nothing at quinns unless we get Brain Smith back let Macca stay this season & see what happens. Gents at the end of he day its only a game ( & ladies )
You are my type of supporter mate. Trouble is if we leave things alone the crowds will dwindle and the situation can get out of control. Justice has to be seen to be done and that means a change NOW. Nevertheless your support for the Bulls and the set up is to be commended IMO!.
Thanks mate my support will not dwindle as I am a real supporter.Look we lost by 12 points to a top of league side its not the end of the world.Stop all this talk of sacking its not productive its negative. All these people who talk of when we were Northern & lost every week & they stuck with them through thick & thin did we want Foxy sacking ? stop the talking & start walking then ( another poignant saying )I`d like to add I like the Westfield one very good.

Realsupporter says...
8:36pm Sun 15 Mar 09

Sorry to add more of my opinons but the stamping of cards at the bar for free beer is a top idea. The more stamps you get the better we play trust me.

andy j says...
8:50pm Sun 15 Mar 09

just to get away from the miserable doom and b----y gloom for a second, i see greg bird flew 24,000 miles (not pysically may i add) to play for catalan today only to get stuffed by wakefield,

Adey says...
8:50pm Sun 15 Mar 09

I think one moment summed up our season. Second half, camped in their 20m, we pass to no one, then it goes back another 20, then langley can't pick a ball up then Sheriffe throws it into touch...speaks volumes.

In regards to today,what can be said? we need ideas and fast. The last 15mins looked promising but will it be carried thru? I think not. Sheriffe was shocking...again raising the question why is Dave Halley sitting top of the try scoring chart and on loan at Wakey....and where the hell is Tupou? We just seem to be wasting money on players that don't play or can't be bothered.

rumour mill says...
8:55pm Sun 15 Mar 09

The 12 points were very flattering and didn't reflect the real margin of the game.

I will always support the Bulls and maybe I'm guilty of feeling spoilt with the success of seasons past and expecting something better every year. I just feel that as a whole they are not prepared well enough as a team and rely on a few individuals to put their hands up when things aren't going great. The whole organisation lacks real leadership. It needs a good kick up the backside from someone with a strong personality who the players can look up to and trust.

If we, the fans, can direct the passion we have for this team in the right way we might provide a bit of a boost for the squad badly needing confidence and support. We got an ironic cheer from Hull fans when our first real chant started and that is embarrassing. Make noise, yes, but lets direct in the right way and cheer our boys on and make Odsal the place where teams didn't like to visit, once again.

andy j says...
9:06pm Sun 15 Mar 09

rumour mill wrote:
The 12 points were very flattering and didn't reflect the real margin of the game. I will always support the Bulls and maybe I'm guilty of feeling spoilt with the success of seasons past and expecting something better every year. I just feel that as a whole they are not prepared well enough as a team and rely on a few individuals to put their hands up when things aren't going great. The whole organisation lacks real leadership. It needs a good kick up the backside from someone with a strong personality who the players can look up to and trust. If we, the fans, can direct the passion we have for this team in the right way we might provide a bit of a boost for the squad badly needing confidence and support. We got an ironic cheer from Hull fans when our first real chant started and that is embarrassing. Make noise, yes, but lets direct in the right way and cheer our boys on and make Odsal the place where teams didn't like to visit, once again.
good post rumour mill! i would still like to see the captains arm band given to morrison though and let deaken concentrate on his game.

bullpal says...
9:09pm Sun 15 Mar 09

Ive said before many times that MacNamara is not the man for the job.He needs to go now.Have some guts Hood and make the decision now.Get rid of the current coaching set up or the downward spiral will continue. We still need two creative half backs. Hopefully a new coach would address that issue which, as we all know, should have been sorted during last close season

Sp00ky says...
9:10pm Sun 15 Mar 09

I think its quite obvious what the problem is.

5 weeks into the season...

Bradford 4 0 1 3 59 109 1

We have notched up 59 points and conceeded 109. It doesnt take a genius to work out that our defence is shat and out attack even shatter!!

haitch says...
9:19pm Sun 15 Mar 09

Looking at the table. This is what the RFL have been striving for.
A more equal playing field where some of the clubs who have tasted little success are given a chance.

Is this for the good of Superleague? I think not.

Can we honestly say the salary cap and all its implications have improved Superleague?

We now have Whinos who are strong, Saints who are much weaker than a couple of seasons ago and Bulls Wigan out of it.

This would be fine if the teams now occupying the Bulls/Wigan 'big 4' spots were even close to the quality of 5 seasons ago.

The international side reflects this reduction in quality. I have never liked the salary cap route and would much have preferred the top sides to have been left to their devices and encouraged the underdogs to come up to that quality. I know many won't agree but to me the evidence is there to be seen.

cainey says...
9:47pm Sun 15 Mar 09

i have never in all my life seen such a poor performance it is obismal sack mcnamara get a real coach in, some one who can control a team not be controlled by the team 18 pounds a ticket to watch your team lose week in weekout a joke

cainey says...
10:24pm Sun 15 Mar 09

what a load of s!!! get rid off the plonker why employ a sub standard tos!!!! when there are coaches out there worth their wages does the credit crundh not apply to superleage they expect us to pay and show up what about them are they past earning a living like the rest off us and proving thier worth

s.b.c says...
11:01pm Sun 15 Mar 09

A MIRACLE at Odsal. For three quarters of the game yesterday, we were even worse than at Wigan.

Touchdown says...
11:33pm Sun 15 Mar 09

Totally Sphereless

A view from The Touchdown

As I left the ground, someone slipped a season ticket into my pocket; by the time I got to the car park I had collected four more.

There were some positives in this game; a couple of The Bulls’ tries came out of some good quality work and there was the occasional flash of inspiration, however fleeting. But the positives such as there were, were far outweighed by the negatives.

Pace, commitment and passion apart, the difference between the two sides was all too obvious. When Hull made a break there were three or four men supporting the ball carrier, reducing any options for the defence. By contrast Bulls’ breaks were largely solo efforts.

The Hull players could offload at will, knowing that there were enthusiastic hands waiting take the play forward. In the same situation The Bulls were either without support, or with a player offloading to an often bewildered and almost always stationary team mate.

For me, two things struck me in this game; two things that illustrate the depth and nature of the malaise affecting the side.

1. Body language; the players came onto the field showing little, if any, sign of enthusiasm. At the start of the second half they trudged on downcast, even though, at that point, they were back in the game; Sheriffe touching down just before half time.

2. Lack of set moves; A tap penalty opportunity in front of the opposition posts, a classic position to execute a well rehearsed set piece but nothing in place but panic in the ranks.

In his post match interview, referring to the fans, McNamara said, "They can talk and say whatever they want about me. I'm absolutely fine about that, it is part and parcel of being a coach. But I am very protective of my players. They can save any criticism for me and I will look after the players.”

That second remark is quite telling. McNamara is probably too protective of his players and probably too close to them to be an effective manager which means that he is prepared to tolerate below par performances without sanction. As someone standing close to me on the terraces said, “They’re not performing and he hasn’t got the balls to do anything about it!”

Tricky Dicky says...
12:07am Mon 16 Mar 09

The last word - again!
Some very good comments Touchdown. To Realsupporter - even if the "good" times come (back-to back wins?) do you really believe Mr MacNamara is the one to take us on the greater things? In his post-match comments, was Mr MacNamara being defiant or arrogant? At least now we will not have to suffer those ridiculous proclamations that he was prone to make to the media, e.g. the Bulls are set to roar, the Bulls are on a charge (or was that Greg Bird?) etc. However, Realsupporter, I have to agree that Mr MacNamara should not be sacked. He has taken us into this mess. He must show his coaching prowess to take us out of it. And it would be folly for the board to sack him unless they had lined up an immediate and improved replacement. Could you imagine if they said the assistant coach was in charge for now? But, Mr MacNamara could have the last laugh and walk away leaving the club, the players, the board and the supporters in the lurch; citing that he needs to spend more time with his family. The Bulls reflect Bradford - going nowhere, lacking vision and investment. Sad, sad times. A new board with the energy and financial clout to recharge and redefine Bradford is needed - and then they can pick whichever coach they want.

Bradford1903 says...
12:13am Mon 16 Mar 09

I'm afraid he's got to go.

We are further away from winning the grand final now, than when he started his reign.

Teams used to come Odsal fearful of getting a good thrashing, and we would regularly rack up 50 points against certain sides. I admit that the Super League is now more competitive, but the aura of invincibility is gone, and teams are coming to Odsal confident of getting a result.

I know we are only a few games into the season, but I don't agree that we should give him more time. Several seasons into the job, and we are progressively going backwards.

Ralphie says...
8:09am Mon 16 Mar 09

The attendance yesterday was 11,300 and I would think that at least 2,300 were from Hull. That makes around 9,000 Bulls supporters on a nice afternoon. I wonder how many Bulls supporters will pay to get in to future games?
We 'll soon be down to just season ticket holders who can be bothered to turn up. Maybe then Hood will get the message!

Adey says...
8:37am Mon 16 Mar 09

Ralphie wrote:
The attendance yesterday was 11,300 and I would think that at least 2,300 were from Hull. That makes around 9,000 Bulls supporters on a nice afternoon. I wonder how many Bulls supporters will pay to get in to future games? We 'll soon be down to just season ticket holders who can be bothered to turn up. Maybe then Hood will get the message!
Even fewer now during the credit crunch, Bradford Council decide to increase the price of parking at Richard Dunn to £5 a car!

spanglishbull.uk says...
8:56am Mon 16 Mar 09


Obviously was not there and had no phone call yet,my mate has probably been on the beer and not surfaced yet going by the comments. Can somebody tell me how our top rated half backs played.

Ralphie says...
9:52am Mon 16 Mar 09

Adey wrote:
Ralphie wrote: The attendance yesterday was 11,300 and I would think that at least 2,300 were from Hull. That makes around 9,000 Bulls supporters on a nice afternoon. I wonder how many Bulls supporters will pay to get in to future games? We 'll soon be down to just season ticket holders who can be bothered to turn up. Maybe then Hood will get the message!
Even fewer now during the credit crunch, Bradford Council decide to increase the price of parking at Richard Dunn to £5 a car!
Adey, if you get there at a reasonable time (and in future this might be about five minutes before kick off!) theres plenty of free parking in the roads of Cleckheaton Road. Never paid to park at Odsal!

Gumshoe says...
10:46am Mon 16 Mar 09

spanglishbull.uk wrote:
Obviously was not there and had no phone call yet,my mate has probably been on the beer and not surfaced yet going by the comments. Can somebody tell me how our top rated half backs played.
They did better than of recent spanglish, BJ was actually running about with the ball as was Deacs and with a bit of luck here and there and a more even ref they may have gained more from the game.

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