McNamara: High error count added up to defeat (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Macca talking tough! How about you drop Worrincy from the squad until he learnt to tackle that'd be a good place to start.

First half was very gooddespite Ganson making some crap decisions with players tackled in air - twice. We defended very well, and looked good in attack. But all seemed to change with intro of Worrincy. He has come under the spotlight too many times now for his massive lack of defense, and Macca has got to remove him from squad. Langers was a massive blow just before ko. He has been our best forward my miles this year in attack & defense, & I doubt if King/ Atkins would have done as well if he had been playing. Need a quick turnaround this week against the Codheads. Any news yet on sicknote Sculthorpe anyone?

joevolcano wrote:
Macca talking tough! How about you drop Worrincy from the squad until he learnt to tackle that'd be a good place to start.

Well, in fairness, he has Platt fit again now so dropping Worrincy and bringing Platt off the bench and shifting Nero into the middle might work better. Platt & Reardon would add plenty of pace down that flank and they seemed to work well in the offseason friendlies. But certainly a shake-up is in order. Forcing the pass when you're only 6 points down is ridiculous. Confidence is all well and good in good field position but the pass by Orford in the first half 10m from the line and Menzies offload in his own half in the second...just uncalled for. Unforced and unnecessary errors.
As for Worrincy, I think a loan spell in South Wales Scorpions might be beneficial for his career progression!

Schoey wrote:
First half was very gooddespite Ganson making some crap decisions with players tackled in air - twice. We defended very well, and looked good in attack. But all seemed to change with intro of Worrincy. He has come under the spotlight too many times now for his massive lack of defense, and Macca has got to remove him from squad. Langers was a massive blow just before ko. He has been our best forward my miles this year in attack & defense, & I doubt if King/ Atkins would have done as well if he had been playing. Need a quick turnaround this week against the Codheads. Any news yet on sicknote Sculthorpe anyone?

Another month according to last weeks reports. Which is a shame because we could really do with another prop off the bench.

Adey wrote:

Schoey wrote: First half was very gooddespite Ganson making some crap decisions with players tackled in air - twice. We defended very well, and looked good in attack. But all seemed to change with intro of Worrincy. He has come under the spotlight too many times now for his massive lack of defense, and Macca has got to remove him from squad. Langers was a massive blow just before ko. He has been our best forward my miles this year in attack & defense, & I doubt if King/ Atkins would have done as well if he had been playing. Need a quick turnaround this week against the Codheads. Any news yet on sicknote Sculthorpe anyone?

Another month according to last weeks reports. Which is a shame because we could really do with another prop off the bench.

Although it will take him a while to get back up to speed, but if he can get some offloads out to halves then should prove a good asset. Hope he can stay fit & repay Maccas faith in bringing him to Bulls. Pleasing factor for weekend for me was seeing Rhinos loose!!!

First half we played well despite Ganson making glaring errors, they scored a try after a blatant knock on in tackle from Scruton and also from a huge forward pass to King and also a benefit of doubt try given by Warrington man Bentham. For me we were better team first half and they were worried.

Time got shut of Sheriffe, Worrincey (absolute garbage), Halley, Nero and Reardon (or to FB to see if can play any better there) who are just not good enough and this is being highlighted by good teams who will continue to test these players and gain points when they mess up which they will!

We need a kicker also as the lost points again could prove so important in some games, if on park let young Donaldson have a go, decent kicker as Ox and Sykes are struggling (even tho Sykes kick did go through uprights).

We had no game plan to counter the fact that they were shutting Ox down every time, Beaver had very poor game by his standards and L'Estrange still not doing enough for me. Sad to see Kearney break through and away to not have a support player at all with him.

Scoreline flattered Wire IMO and we should have had 2 maybe 3 tries more in first half if just that killer instict near line.

Hull will have watched and seen the weaknesses and Long, Horne and Fitzgibbon will punish us severely this week unless we sort them.

Rant over, COYB!!!

All i can say is Worrincey, Worrincey, Worrincey, Worrincey......

Every time he plays him we go down the pan.

I was there on Saturday, and you could tell in the 2nd half there heads werent there, it was Warrington that was better it was Bradford who just gave it away with the "cant be bothered attitude" We spent the whole half defending. I think that bang to the head Sykes got in the 1st half ruined his game, he kept kicking to the side they were scoring at!!!

Matt King was class!!! Macca sign him up, Macca Macca sign him up!!!

Interesting news that Brough is going to the Giants this week for a transfer fee and that Paul Cooke is signing for the Wildcats. Evidently Wakey could n't agree a new contract with Brough.
Lokks like one that got away from the Bulls!

On the bright side, Whitehead and Donaldson didn't let anyone down, and once Langley is back that should spell the end for Worrincey. There is no way they can drop either of those kids to keep that useless lump in the team.

I think a loan spell for Worrincey must be on the cards, he's defence is weak (if he can even be bothered to make the tackle at all) and he gives nothing in attack.

If he plays again this season then even I will have to seriously doubt Maccas abilities as a coach!

Also, Ganson's "mistakes" took a lot out of us, he must have made us defend our line 5 or 6 times more then we should in the first half. No one can be that incompetent, so it leads me to believe he's still bearing a grudge over Macca calling him a cheat!

Gumshoe wrote:
First half we played well despite Ganson making glaring errors, they scored a try after a blatant knock on in tackle from Scruton and also from a huge forward pass to King and also a benefit of doubt try given by Warrington man Bentham. For me we were better team first half and they were worried.

Time got shut of Sheriffe, Worrincey (absolute garbage), Halley, Nero and Reardon (or to FB to see if can play any better there) who are just not good enough and this is being highlighted by good teams who will continue to test these players and gain points when they mess up which they will!

We need a kicker also as the lost points again could prove so important in some games, if on park let young Donaldson have a go, decent kicker as Ox and Sykes are struggling (even tho Sykes kick did go through uprights).

We had no game plan to counter the fact that they were shutting Ox down every time, Beaver had very poor game by his standards and L'Estrange still not doing enough for me. Sad to see Kearney break through and away to not have a support player at all with him.

Scoreline flattered Wire IMO and we should have had 2 maybe 3 tries more in first half if just that killer instict near line.

Hull will have watched and seen the weaknesses and Long, Horne and Fitzgibbon will punish us severely this week unless we sort them.

Rant over, COYB!!!

Bit harsh to get rid of the backline. Halley is clearly out of form, but he'll come back from it...he proved last year that he has the ability. I do maybe think that a swap with Reardon might be beneficial tho. Build both their confidence back, maybe get on the scoresheet a couple of times and who knows. AS for Nero, well, he's not a great centre...ok defensively he's ok, but as I said before, Reardon may as well be a spectator for all the space he's getting. That's why I'd be tempted to bring Platt back at Centre and shift Nero back to the pack...make him work a bit more. I don't think Sheriffe did much wrong against Wire and he is getting better. Unlike Mr Worrincy, who (if possible) is worse than last season! If anyone wants an example, take a look at him (if he plays again) and see how many times he's first man into the tackle...trust me, you'll only need one hand to count them! Enough is enough and we have plenty of backrowers to warrent his "loan spell"

Ref and Linesmen should be repremanded for what cameras showed to be a poor display But Mr Cummings is not interested.
Bulls have too many shortcomings in the backs for them to win anything this season. Its a shame as having got the pack and halves sorted there is a noticeable improvement. They may well finish quite high, but it is impossible to see them actually winning a comp. Maccas rantings about poor decisions are all well and good but it is possible to name 4 or 5 of his players who are incapable of making those decisions so what can he expect?. Macca must surely accept he does not have anywhere near the strike power in his backs of any of the top sides and telling us he's annoyed about them not making the right decisions won't change a thing. The trouble is you can train as hard as you like but you can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear as they say. Yes they may make do and mend against lower sides but when you compare our backs against such as King, who is special. The gulf begins to look enormous. Somehow Macca has to find a way of changing things at the back, Swap Reardon and Halley. Try Platt in place of Nero, who can replace Worrincy off the bench. Use young Crookes who did so well against Richards after his shakey start. It's still going to be a 'cobbled' affair but all we ask Macca is, "where is your vision"? Do something man before all your better players start to get fed up and stop playing themselves!. I had every sympathy for Macca keeping an inchanged side at first but now he has had time to assess them it's time he showed us what he's made of. That's what you get from a good coach so come on Macca it's up to you.

I remember making a big mistake as an apprentice and the owner gave me a severe rollicking. He then said it wasn’t all my fault as there are people whose job it is to make sure I didn’t make mistakes. This impressed me and has stuck with me since.
This is why I say the coaching staff is to blame if someone continually makes mistakes. I can’t blame Worrancy as he clearly has limitations and he doesn’t pick or coach himself. If I were the chairman I would be asking why he has made it to the first team when he clearly is lacking in basic skills.
I would disagree a little about missing out on Brough. We have signed a good scrum half. He just needs to perform for 80 minutes – as with a few of the other players. I have to say it but in sport nearly everything comes down to the coach in the end. Warrancy and a few others are doing their best. What more can they do if they aren’t taught any better?

Have to agree again with Prycey, the Coach is effectively the team Manager - the definition of a manager is ' to achieve through others' therefore the buck has to stop with Mr McNamara. The point that Haitch raised regarding training and silk purses etc. takes me back to a point that he and i had a spat about yesterday - regarding Ox and Sykes putting in some kicking practice- as a youngster i was coached by a certain Mr Trevor Foster and recall something he once told me, 'the training field is the place to fix things that arn't going the way they should, but it can not install ability that isn't there' very true IMO.
By the way Haitch, Terry Price was a hero of mine too!

We have some cracking young forwards in the academy, why does worrincey still get the shirt? and if we want a prop off the bench, which I think we all agree we need, why doesn't he give Crossley a game, he certainly won't shy away from tackles and would make decent yardage.

If he perseveres with worrincey this season don't be surprised to see a mass exodus of all our young forward talent, and watch them come back to haunt us in years to come!

Agree R & R about giving someone else a chance instead of Worrancy but we have to be aware that youngsters make mistakes. That is how they learn. You know what certain people on here will say if Crossley comes in and makes a mistake. They will want him dropped and someone else in. There is no question about dropping Worrancy but we need to remember that too many youngsters won't work either. The Burgess twins probably won't be ready till next year. We should all be happy at the youngsters coming through as I see internationals in them but they need time and the older players need to help cover them while they are learning and making mistakes.

Sheffieldbull wrote:
Have to agree again with Prycey, the Coach is effectively the team Manager - the definition of a manager is ' to achieve through others' therefore the buck has to stop with Mr McNamara. The point that Haitch raised regarding training and silk purses etc. takes me back to a point that he and i had a spat about yesterday - regarding Ox and Sykes putting in some kicking practice- as a youngster i was coached by a certain Mr Trevor Foster and recall something he once told me, 'the training field is the place to fix things that arn't going the way they should, but it can not install ability that isn't there' very true IMO. By the way Haitch, Terry Price was a hero of mine too!

A spat!! Surely not, we are far too sophisticated for that!!

Yes I mentioned Price as I always think it was so much harder for the kickers of old who had heavy grounds heavy boots, heavy ball and no Kicking tee plus the 'round the corner style hadn't been discovered!!

Got to agree entirely you cannot instill ability if it's not there. Pity we can't bring back Peter Fox. He'd have this lot whipped into shape in no time, but that's me reminiscing again!

Until the coach goes nothing will change how can it? The past three and half years have demonstrated this.
Macca has tried hard nice bloke good number two but not a first team coach. If he could have changed things in the past then he surely would have done? Look at Wigan same team new coach and Huddersfield says it all!
We have to be patient this year and then kick on next. The board have not had to pay him off mediocre displays from the Bulls are the norm.

I understand where you are coming from Paul as I wonder what I would be doing if I were the chairman. He must be looking at Hudd's, Wire and Wigan and their ausie coaches. What a difference they have made. Someone said on here a couple of weeks ago why we think wigan have improved. I think it is obvious Maguire has given them a massive boost on and off the field - just like Smith / Elliot did 15 years ago with us. You don't need to dislike Macca to feel that a fresh face will make a difference. It nearly always does if you get the right man. I am not bashing Macca. He just struggles to get players playing at their best.

I actually agree with Adey, he makes a lot of sense apart from his comments on Sheriffe whos not even good enough to be a deputy. Worrincy and him are the worst signings of the century. Hope Macca gives Platty a run out this week and as Adey says Platty and Reardon did quite well pre-season.
Perhaps bring Matt James back for a month or so as cover for Sculthorpe?
Hull game is gonna tell us plenty about where we are at this season and Im looking forward to it. Win, and I will be confident of a top 8 finish. Lose, and I think we could find ourselves in the same posi as last season.

It's all good and well to go blaming the coach for such a shocking 2nd half display. he wasn't on there missing the tackles, making bad decisions on silly off loads. our senior players were as guilty as warrancy,sherriff,sy
kes,halley. none of who can tackle to save thier lives.
what a shame atkins was never given an oppertunity at odsal. just about best british centre these days.
looking at the wire back line they were far beyond anything our set will ever achieve.
As for the ref' ganson was just a disgrace, hardly got a decision right all night. It's high time some new blood was introduced, that ref' on friday(hull k r V wakefield ) was far better than any of the top S/L ref's.
Ganson, silverwood and bentham have had it all to themselves long enough.

You have it in one Prycey,I am not blaming the coach what I am saying is he is not up to it. He has had nearly 4 years to get it right! Name another club that would have been so loyal? He seems like a nice guy but results do not lie and yes we all can say he does not drop passes and knock on etc etc but when they do he keeps picking them. I would wager a journeyman Aussie coach would have the team performing consistantly.Anyway week in week out the results mirror last year and the year before win the odd top game then lose the next 2-3.Amazes me how the fans try to pick the bones out of inept performances looking for positives a loss is a loss.

It is certainly true to say the coach doesn't drop balls or make poor decisions.

Unfortunately it is also true that a good coach can instill discipline, catching and passing to a point where their team does not make these mistakes.


We all know Macca has done nothing and whilst I think we are right in looking for positives (what's the point of doing anything else)? It is a fact Macca has been found wanting for too long.

Lets be honest. If this team was being coached by say Brian Smith we know we would not be seeing half of the errors. It always comes down to coaching In the end. With a top coach even the ordinary players can be seen to take up better field positions, hang onto the ball in tight situations and cut out the mistakes. So whilst it is true the coach is not on the field during a game his methods and ability are there for all to see.


Having said that we must remember there are huge improvements in the side and should Bulls beat Hull they would have won 2 out of the three games, so many said they would get nothing from. Now there's an example of looking at the positives.

We repeatedly made errors coming out of our own end and, against a side of Warrington’s quality, you’re not going to get away with itSteve has repeatedly played Worrincy when 'we had' Langers available,just thought it needed highliting.
I gather from Odsal, Macca has some concerns about putting increased pressure upon our youngsters...
Something tells me there will be no real change in the squad named to play each week untill 'sick-note' Sculthorpe surfaces...lol
Bit like waiting for the 2nd coming IMO

I’ve often talked about why certain things happen in the field of play, for example why does it take the referee take so long to call held to a play that has clearly lost forward momentum although the player has not been dragged down 3 or 4 of the opposition in the ruck have stopped the play.
It’s now my opinion this is a deliberate tactic the referee’s use to slow the play down so that they can catch up with the game, it could explain some of the poor decisions that are called.
I think if this is the case, then super league is heading for major problems.
Maybe the solution could be younger and fitter referees.
COM'ON YOU BULLS.

graham smith wrote:
I’ve often talked about why certain things happen in the field of play, for example why does it take the referee take so long to call held to a play that has clearly lost forward momentum although the player has not been dragged down 3 or 4 of the opposition in the ruck have stopped the play. It’s now my opinion this is a deliberate tactic the referee’s use to slow the play down so that they can catch up with the game, it could explain some of the poor decisions that are called. I think if this is the case, then super league is heading for major problems. Maybe the solution could be younger and fitter referees. COM'ON YOU BULLS.

Graham they swap and change the rules so often these days it's hard to keep up but I thought once a team mate joined the ruck and placed hands on the tackle is complete and should be called. That is certainly not happening.

^^ team mate of the ball carrier ^^

haitch wrote:
^^ team mate of the ball carrier ^^

I know what your saying.

franklyn wrote:
It's all good and well to go blaming the coach for such a shocking 2nd half display. he wasn't on there missing the tackles, making bad decisions on silly off loads. our senior players were as guilty as warrancy,sherriff,sy kes,halley. none of who can tackle to save thier lives. what a shame atkins was never given an oppertunity at odsal. just about best british centre these days. looking at the wire back line they were far beyond anything our set will ever achieve. As for the ref' ganson was just a disgrace, hardly got a decision right all night. It's high time some new blood was introduced, that ref' on friday(hull k r V wakefield ) was far better than any of the top S/L ref's. Ganson, silverwood and bentham have had it all to themselves long enough.

Cant see why would include Sykes in this, he has been much improved this year for me and has been one of our better players.

Agree about Atkins not being given chance at Bulls when he was here and we could say same about Larne Patrick who is having a good time at Giants now he has been patient and given a chance and grabbed it with both hands.

Also agree re the refs, all shocking and make such blatant glaring errors week in week out but only us supporters can see it unless they are the supporters of the teams that get the luck and decisions!! Look at all the moaning Leeds have done over the WCC but it would have been different had it been on other foot, about time they got some of their own medicine!!

Horne, Long and Fitzgibbon are the key men for Hull who we need to target, pressure Calderwood who is sure to fumble and vastly improve our kicking game both in and out of hand (if on pitch then let Donaldson kick).

COYB!!!

Gumshoe wrote:

franklyn wrote: It's all good and well to go blaming the coach for such a shocking 2nd half display. he wasn't on there missing the tackles, making bad decisions on silly off loads. our senior players were as guilty as warrancy,sherriff,sy kes,halley. none of who can tackle to save thier lives. what a shame atkins was never given an oppertunity at odsal. just about best british centre these days. looking at the wire back line they were far beyond anything our set will ever achieve. As for the ref' ganson was just a disgrace, hardly got a decision right all night. It's high time some new blood was introduced, that ref' on friday(hull k r V wakefield ) was far better than any of the top S/L ref's. Ganson, silverwood and bentham have had it all to themselves long enough.

Cant see why would include Sykes in this, he has been much improved this year for me and has been one of our better players. Agree about Atkins not being given chance at Bulls when he was here and we could say same about Larne Patrick who is having a good time at Giants now he has been patient and given a chance and grabbed it with both hands. Also agree re the refs, all shocking and make such blatant glaring errors week in week out but only us supporters can see it unless they are the supporters of the teams that get the luck and decisions!! Look at all the moaning Leeds have done over the WCC but it would have been different had it been on other foot, about time they got some of their own medicine!! Horne, Long and Fitzgibbon are the key men for Hull who we need to target, pressure Calderwood who is sure to fumble and vastly improve our kicking game both in and out of hand (if on pitch then let Donaldson kick). COYB!!!

Hi Gumshoe, interesting points by you and franklyn. I agree Sykes is the best of the 3/4 but doesn't do enough. I'm not sure about Donno kicking. I think Macca should have decided his kicker long ago and worked with him. Swapping and changing is no good. Donno would be fine as first choice kicker if he played every game 80 mins but as he is competing with the impressive (!!) Worrincy and doesn't get much gametime, I'd stick with Ox. Actually once the grounds improve I think Ox will be okay.