Re: Changes for this weekend : Thu Apr 19, 2018 9:40 am  

Bulliac wrote:

Haha, ten years ago we'd have felt we had half a chance of winning it!

In view of the fact that, whilst you have a serious chance of winning the competition, and we know we won't be around at Wembley (unless we get tickets..) I'm not sure what sort of squad we'll be putting out, as we have more important games, in a competition we have a much better chance of winning, to consider. That said, whoever pulls on the shirt will be busting a gut, I'm sure. Obviously, I don't know the Wire squad either, but I'm guessing that 'good enough to win' but 'let's not risk too many', will be the order of the day.

Should be a good atmosphere as I think there will be a large and noisy following from the Bulls, 2 to 2.5K at the very least and possibly more as the game does seem to have captured the imagination. Anyway, unless the clouds open and thunderbolts come down from above, I'm expecting you to win, but hoping not too easily, so I'll take the opportunity of wishing you well for the rest of the season - oh, and also in the cup final...

Hope you enjoy your visit to the HJ. Time have, indeed, changed since the clubs last met in the Cup.

Re: Changes for this weekend : Thu Apr 19, 2018 11:37 am  

rubber duckie wrote:

Theres still improvement in our teams attack. There is a case for full strength less where injury recovery is required.

I can appreciate where you are coming from in the need to pick a full strength side less those with injuries and making the attack more slick. You must surely recognise tho' that this is also a long hard season, where we have just come off the back of difficult fortnight and this is the perfect opportunity to rest a few bodies. We are not playing Bradford of yesteryear, we a playing a side in the third tier for loving sake. The opportunity to rest up a few far out weights the need to get confidence running a few moves against a 3rd tier defence. That can be done on the training paddock.

We have Leeds, Hull and Wigan all on the horizon.

Re: Changes for this weekend : Thu Apr 19, 2018 11:51 am  

Squad as follows:

Sitaleki Akauola, Ryan Atkins, Mitch Brown, Josh Charnley, Ben Currie, Eribe Doro, Bryson Goodwin, Chris Hill, Jack Hughes, Luis Johnson, George King, Harvey Livett, Pat Moran, Declan Patton, Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford, Tyrone Roberts, Morgan Smith, Ben Westwood

Re: Changes for this weekend : Thu Apr 19, 2018 1:27 pm  

kirtonLindseyWolf wrote:

I can appreciate where you are coming from in the need to pick a full strength side less those with injuries and making the attack more slick. You must surely recognise tho' that this is also a long hard season, where we have just come off the back of difficult fortnight and this is the perfect opportunity to rest a few bodies. We are not playing Bradford of yesteryear, we a playing a side in the third tier for loving sake. The opportunity to rest up a few far out weights the need to get confidence running a few moves against a 3rd tier defence. That can be done on the training paddock.

We have Leeds, Hull and Wigan all on the horizon.

I do, but out of all the league 1 teams, Bradford coached by John Kear, isnt one to take disrespectfully....plus since we have gone 6 years without a trophy, the CC represents out easiest chance of pulling out of the doldrums.

[Uncle Rico]

Re: Changes for this weekend : Thu Apr 19, 2018 2:18 pm  

A fine line this "disrespecting" malarkey. How would you ever know whether someone in the junior ranks can cut the custard? BTW G King, Livett, Smith and Patton all have SL experience hardly taking the mick. The only teasers from the list are Doro, Johnson and to a slightly lesser extent Moran.

Squad management is part and parcel of a coaches job, quite a bold move if all three get and I doubt they will, but, if not this weekend when can we freshen things up?

Re: Changes for this weekend : Thu Apr 19, 2018 4:27 pm  

Well I'm certainly in favour of squad rotation to grant youngsters that shot and ive been vocal of support in shifting Atkins into the backrow....
However I'm only okay with Roberts and he is the only reason I actually see this game as an opportunity for Roberts to recover some past form over the advantage of resting him for development.

If we are truely really serious and want to win something this season to get that monkey off our back, then being selfish on first choice opportunity until injury forces a hand is my take on it...but it's really only fueled by ordinary play from Roberts...
I'm sure there's more to come, and while he improves with each continuous game...he plays imo.

If the club prefer a slower progression to honours with depth development, the squad rotation is vital....however, my patience is thin...I'm sick of 'always your year' chants!