Loss to Giants a sickener after promise of pre-season (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Loss to Giants a sickener after promise of pre-season
7:10am Monday 8th February 2010 in
James Donaldson insists the Bulls will return galvanised after their season-opening defeat at Huddersfield Giants.
The loss came as a real sickener for the players after expectations had been raised by a positive pre-season and a strong winter recruitment drive. But they are not about to let it break their confidence.
A slow start last year, when the Bulls failed to win any of their opening four games, meant their campaign never got off the ground and contributed heavily to their ninth-place finish.
But lessons have been learned and back-rower Donaldson believes Bradford are better equipped to deal with the setbacks this season.
He said: “It was really gutting. All the lads were really down afterwards but it’s different to last year.
“Obviously it’s only the first game of the season and there’s a long way to go. We’ll come back twice as strong from it and hopefully we’ll turn things around quickly.
“There was more positives than negatives I thought because we played well against a strong side and we just need a bit more about us in the game.
“We still know what we have to do and we’re building something. Hopefully the fans will see that.”
Despite the Bulls’ 24-12 defeat at the Galpharm Stadium, Donaldson’s selection in the final bench spot acted as a major boost for the 18-year-old Cumbrian.
Head coach Steve McNamara has shown great faith in the youngster, which has, so far, been fully repaid.
He said: “I was over the moon to be selected. I’ve played my hardest throughout pre-season because I know I will really have to fight for my place this year.
“I’ll do all I can to get in the team. I was chuffed to get my place because lads like Elliott Whitehead and Tom Olbison have been playing really well.
“I just do what I always do, get stuck in and try and bring a lift to the team as much as I can in defence and attack. Every team likes to have impact off the bench so I try to bring that.
“This year is a big year for me, so I just want to do my best and keep improving.”
The Bulls will be aiming to bounce back in Sunday’s home opener against St Helens, who suffered a surprise 32-12 home defeat against Hull on Saturday.
Leeds had also been shocked on Friday night, beaten 24-10 at home by Castleford, but Wigan rolled over Crusaders 38-6.
Sunday’s action saw Hull KR cruise past Salford 30-12, Warrington thumped Harlequins 58-0 and Wakefield edged out Catalans 28-20.
Comments(26)
howard naylor
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8:29am Mon 8 Feb 10
Prycey
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8:31am Mon 8 Feb 10
howard naylor
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8:47am Mon 8 Feb 10
Prycey
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9:18am Mon 8 Feb 10
Why not try being possitive once in a while and smile. Life is much more interesting when you see the brighter side of life. There is a time and place to complin and when done properly it brings results. Constantly moaning just makes you appear stupid.
Thought for the day: Be possitive as there are others worse off than you!
kitman
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10:11am Mon 8 Feb 10
Adey
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10:59am Mon 8 Feb 10
kitman wrote:The thought had crossed my mind too, but once the pitches firm up he'll be better. I have to say, I expected more from Hall.
After watching the Giants-Bulls. An observation i made-why did the Bulls sign Glenn Hall? If we did't sign him. Option 1.We could have kept Morrison for another year. Option 2. We could have signed an overseas back,and that would have given more game time to Whitehead,Donaldson Olbison. But understand Macca is only putting time in at the Bulls until the end of the season. So lets hope the Manly mafia can bring a winning culture back to the club.
I'd have been tempted to sign a utility back, play Menzies, Langley & Donaldson in the backrow and bring Whitehead off the bench. But, we got what we got. Lets hope we can step up against a Saints side looking battered and bruised with Soliola & Gardner likely to be missing for definate, possibly even Fa'asavalu & Graham.
haitch
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11:06am Mon 8 Feb 10
kitman wrote:It's a good point kitman. The only thing comes to my mind is that with Beaver and Ox being wrong side of 30 yrs it would have been bordering on Dad's Army to keep Morrison. Morro has also been very injury jinxed and it would have been a risk to keep him. That doesn,t explain why he had no faith in such as Whitehead. I think I must be the only one who thought Hall went well on Friday especially second half when he took the ball up strongly.
After watching the Giants-Bulls. An observation i made-why did the Bulls sign Glenn Hall? If we did't sign him. Option 1.We could have kept Morrison for another year. Option 2. We could have signed an overseas back,and that would have given more game time to Whitehead,Donaldson Olbison. But understand Macca is only putting time in at the Bulls until the end of the season. So lets hope the Manly mafia can bring a winning culture back to the club.
A couple of strike centres are a must though as Ox needs somebody to run on to his passes and that didn't happen. Platt is one who could be the short term answer. He's the only one who knows how to hit the spaces and time his runs.
I see Jefferies went well at Wakey. He should do as he has been resting for the last 2 seasons!
A nice thread from Donaldson who has the right attitude. Give him more game time Macca, the answer to the Loose Forward problems is right under your nose!
Craig
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12:45pm Mon 8 Feb 10
Friday, before the game, i arrived at the ground enthused, expectant, hungry to see this new exciting Bulls team. The atmosphere amongst the fans was bouyant, the players greeted on to the pitch like heroic soldiers returning to the bosom of thier loved ones. The sense of optimism was exuded as strongly by the fans as it ever has been during McNamara's reign.
It felt to me like it felt when i was amongst fellow Bradford City fans ahead of the first game of the season at Notts County. This is our year, we will not be denied, to those who say we are no longer a force, listen to our defiant songs, see the mass of our support, tremble at our new found belief!
Very quickly after the game kicked off, it was the Notts County game all over again. We were the equivalent of 3-0 down quickly but the saving grace was that rather than capitulate, the Bulls regrouped, kept trying, kept working, stayed mentally tough.
However, we played a brand of rugby that is of the past. One up, all powerful forwards steamrolling over the opposition, physical dominance! The problem, we no longer have the forwards for that plan; Huddersfield met fire with fire but when they had the ball they were of a different calibre - Huddersfield a different calibre to Bradford, the world has finally gone mad!
Their backs where impish, elusive, fast of mind and action. Dummy running, sudden changes in angle, a slight of hand, support runners on the shoulder, a kicking game simple in its execution but potent and beyond anything we ourselves could conjure.
Bradford missed tackles, an abundance of them, allowed themselves to be bamboozled, stood off one of the great players of Super League and allowed him to wave his magic wand, mesmerised, stupified, slowly suffocated by its hold over them.
Orford probed, tried to find the magic too but was often denied as his pass went to ground, his backs failed to get on to his wavelength, we reverted again to the forwards. One up running, the ball stuffed up the jumper, the type of game we are told by our great leader we have to expect given the conditions - why?
I hope that what follows at Odsal is not the same as that which has been witnessed at Valley Parade. Surely it can't be, our chairman told us so, roused us with tales of an era of expansive rugby beautiful on the eye - if only!
I fear with this coach the best we can hope for is hope itself.
Prove me wrong Steve, prove me wrong.
Prycey
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1:27pm Mon 8 Feb 10
BBARL6
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1:51pm Mon 8 Feb 10
We then came under pressure on our own line and as last year we came unstuck 3 times by bad defence, 2 cross field kicks where was the pressure on the kicker and where was our winger?? we then conceeded a soft ametuer type try, giants scooting from acting half, again just like last season we seem to have trouble defending our own line??
We then have loads ball 2nd half and once again we have no idea, no angle runners, no options so we revert to our props takin it up and off loading to another forward who is about to get sat on his arse so he drops the ball, if that doesnt work we then revert to the ox runnig around like a headless chicken throwing ball to floor due to again the lack of runners. does this not sound the same as last year, lack of ideas in attack, dropped balls and unable to defend our own try line???
I accept it may take a little time for the new lads to settle in to our team but come on they are professional players?? how long has it taken the new lads at Hull FC to gel and deliver a good performance?? 1st game they beat st Helens?? new lads at wakey seemed to have geled pritty well, ok against medioca teams i accept but still 2 out of 2 with a handful of new players
The bulls very quickly need to pull thier socks ups and need to start working to some kind of game plan otherwise its going to be another long painful season.
am sorry to say this but saying we need platt back is a joke, he isnt going to resolve our problems outwide, he cannot defend to save his life outwide and will get run over by the likes of senior, deleany at leeds, the millward at wakey, atkins and king of wires, yeaman and mutu at hull, come on lets get real platt is p++s POOR!
Will, Huddersfield
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1:56pm Mon 8 Feb 10
haitch
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2:48pm Mon 8 Feb 10
Anyway, this game has really hit you guys bad!! Saints supporters were also disappointed and so were Leeds. The only difference is that those two clubs have some form to revert to whereas it is easy to say "same old Bulls". That's such a silly statement. Are you talking about the Bulls of last back end when they won all or does it please to say back to the crap bulls at the beginning of the season. Half full half empty?? Or..are you not capable of seeing this is a different side and that it is possible they could yet prove a very good side? Maybe thats too positive a jesture to make for some.
To say we are worried about Macca is at best a very elementary statement. The guy has done nothing to impress as a head coach but remember we mostly have credited him close season for putting together a decent looking squad so lets not be silly and say we were all wrong after just one game.
The facts Craig mentions above of what I think hes saying is one dimensional Rugby are true based on that one game. But if you are to level such criticism surely you should add that the main kingpin Orford has not played with the side long enough and that ground conditions have restricted Bulls to even less time with him. The team as a whole always had such limitations that Orford is central and crucial to the side playing fluently.
Even more amazing is the comparisons made with new players at other Clubs and the inference if they can do it why can't Bulls? If you didn't know I'll tell you...Long is a SUPERLEAGUE genious. He was playing on the ground he spent almost an entire career on against players he knows as well as his own Mum!. Jefferies played again on a ground he knows well with players he has played with many times. Other 'new faces have travelled a short distance to play on grounds they all know well and often with players they know well. As for the Bulls new faces, they have never played Superleague, Reardon excepted. Reardon hasn't played at all for about a year and similarly Kearney. Both these players are recovering from major Injury. So if you must make comparisons think about it first.
Giants were slick and better than Bulls too but look at the time it has taken them to get where they are.
I can see the pain some have but how many more times must we say IT IS TOO SOON to make these judgements and any judgements we do make should be factual and with some understanding of the facts.
Gumshoe
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3:27pm Mon 8 Feb 10
Prycey wrote:I was sat a few seats away from Macca in the Directors area. He showed no emotion, no animation and certainly no passion as he watched what unfolded below him on the pitch. Stu Duffy was more passionate and was at least shouting for the players to sort things out, Macca said nothing, never heard or saw him shout or bark orders on the walkie talkie even when we were making glaring errors, now that does worry me for the season!!
Excellent write up Craig. I think most of us are holding back from any grumbles towards Macca as we feel we need to give him time with this team. I know one of the young players who is pushing for a spot in the starting squad and he says that the one area that Macca lets himself down is the motivational side of it. He does come over a little weak at times and that is why some of the players last year didn't respond well to him. I firmly believe he is an excellent tactician of the game as Smith said lately but I fear he needs some of that Ian Milward or Tony Smith type team talks to wind his players up for a game. I have backed Macca all the way and don't wish to knock him now - but I do have some doubts about his ability to get the best out of players. Time will tell and I don't expect him to be with us next year as the story in the Sun at the weekend is more than a rumour. Added to that, his contract only has basicly 6 months left and it looks like a Noble situation at Wigan where his contract will be allowed to end. I think he will go but I still wish him well and go with a final appearance under his belt.
I know he has never been the most passionate coach but what must the likes of Ox and co be thinking if he does not open up!!
His face never even altered as he stood 5 mins from end to go down to pitchside and a Giants supporter shouted 'taxi for McNamara!!'
At least us supporters will be getting behind the team this weekend when we do have a realistic chance to get a result due to the injuries Sainst have picked up!!
COYB!!!
Prycey
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4:08pm Mon 8 Feb 10
franklyn
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4:26pm Mon 8 Feb 10
One thing i do know is that saints are at thier most dangerous when they've been hurt like that. i just hope they dont make us pay.
like bulls they are re-building, and they may have quite a few injuries. lets just hope our team can improve and get a sesult. But we do need to improve. remember last friday giants had 3 of their first choice players missing, including wild who was proberbly one of thier better performers last term. as has been said they also played 1/4 of the game down to 12 men. so the improvement from bulls has to be great.
I tend to agree plat may be better in centre, sykes would be better at F/B , I'm not convinced halley is big enough to play there.
it is obvious though that at least one centre has to be a piority when bulls next recruit. lack of fire power was so evident from centre last friday.
anyway lets just hope we can a win this week,and hopefully fans will be much happier.
bullinrhinoland
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5:33pm Mon 8 Feb 10
jammle
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5:51pm Mon 8 Feb 10
If we beat Saints next then all will be rosy i'm sure. Have some faith.
haitch
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6:39pm Mon 8 Feb 10
jammle wrote:Short and sweet and the most sensible post if all. I especially wonder what these guys will be saying if Bulls play Saints off the park?...Interesting!
For gods sake guys it was the first game of the season, played in bad conditions with some players who havn't played together at this level before ! If we beat Saints next then all will be rosy i'm sure. Have some faith.
!
Steve Mac for the Sack.
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8:38pm Mon 8 Feb 10
Ashbourne Bulls Supporters Club
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10:14pm Mon 8 Feb 10
Steve Mac for the Sack. wrote:Will you change your name to "Steve Mac NOT for the sack" when we start winning, and we will do with this team, just you see. You should be supporting Steve not undermining him as I am sure he knows far more about the ins and outs of managing a rugby league team than negative supporters.
Whitehead has got to play instead of Worrin next week.
howard.naylor
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10:36pm Mon 8 Feb 10
Steve Mac for the Sack.
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11:00pm Mon 8 Feb 10
Ashbourne Bulls Supporters Club wrote:No I wont.
Steve Mac for the Sack. wrote: Whitehead has got to play instead of Worrin next week.Will you change your name to "Steve Mac NOT for the sack" when we start winning, and we will do with this team, just you see. You should be supporting Steve not undermining him as I am sure he knows far more about the ins and outs of managing a rugby league team than negative supporters.
Wonder how long you've been thinking Macca is the best young coach in SL?
Just to let you know, everything he's done to date says he isn't very good.
Anyhow.
bullybullman
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4:14am Tue 9 Feb 10
Ashbourne Bulls Supporters Club
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6:15am Tue 9 Feb 10
howard.naylor wrote:Now now Howard your mum wil be stopping your spending money again and stop calling the kettle black. Best place for you is locked away in your bedroom and we all know what you do there. COYB
SMFTS - Are we the only ones on here who know what we are talking about. The rest are idiots.
Steve mac is god
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1:17pm Thu 11 Feb 10
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Steampig says...
8:04am Mon 8 Feb 10
Things could be worse , we could be Quinns fans!! 58-0 ! ouch!!
it seem it's Not been the weekend to be called Macca, with the Bulls and Quinns both losing and Mccall Resigning at City! on the plius side from what i saw through the Fog saints idnt look great, so lets hope for a strong performance and a win at home this week.