Match preview via Nothing But League - bit.ly/1C0xBdQ

Match preview via Nothing But League - bit.ly/1C0xBdQ

Pryce in the team is something we can all look forward to, I expect a close win for Bradford.

Have to admit I'm hoping we can run away with it a little at the end, but Dews are a decent side so best to expect what we get!

The easter game was really tight. I think home advantage should see us get a win. I fully expect Dewsbury will put up a decent fight though.

Glenn Morrison has been bagging them in the press this last weekend. Seems they've been playing very poorly in recent weeks.

If it's in the press then it's for public consumption.

He'll have told the team what he he [iactually[/i thinks in the privacy of the dressing room - in the press, he's hoping we fall for his propaganda. You're right imo, they'll be well up for this one and it'll be tight.

Although its a home game. While we've looked sluggish away from home a few times this season, at home it looks like the team have really bought into the "fortress odsal" desire. And our recent form has been good. So as long as we respect the opposition, respect possession of the ball and apply pressure in the right areas, I'm confident.

I'm suspect we might be seeing another new halfback pairing for this game so it might well be a potential banana skin game for us. Home advantage will help though I hope.

Mendeika? He played 6 for most of his academy time at Warrington I think. Not sure if he's played there recently though.
But if Gaskell is out, and Sjieka & Mullaney aren't fit yet, then that would be the option I think.

Siejka wasn't far off but it might be a game too soon perhaps. Not sure where Mullaney is with his injury so maybe even Mendeika/Addy?

Former game day announcer Steve Long will make a return to Odsal this weekend to celebrate 20 years of Bradford Bulls. www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/news/pos ... ls-vs-rams

Former game day announcer Steve Long will make a return to Odsal this weekend to celebrate 20 years of Bradford Bulls. www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/news/pos ... ls-vs-rams

Siejka/ I genuinely hope he becomes a player but he has done nothing, at all, to date. Whilst I am happy to give any player a chance, if he comes back in and does nothing again, how will that affect our form? We can't afford the luxury of passengers. I remember well all those on here slagging off Luke Gale and saying he would never be any use, and saying good riddance. Given the choice, which would you pick now?

Gale was very good last night against Leeds and I would swap siejka with him in a heartbeat

Luke Gale played behind a well beaten pack last year. Now that he's got some decent forwards protecting him he's got the time and space to do his job.

I'm 100% in agreement but what puzzles me is why James Lowes so very definitely disagrees with you and I. I'd love to ask him to his face what it is he's seeing in the lad.

Depends if you class a fortnight ago as recent. Mendeika played half game in halves V London when Addy went off. Looked pretty decent there as well by most accounts.
Think people are being a little harsh on Sjelka too. He looked really good in Cas friendly then lost plot in leigh game. when he came back from suspension it took him a long time to settle but he was starting to combine with Gaskell really well in last couple of games before his injury. Given we effectively have a free bench spot through only playing one hooker ,once everyones fit we can bring him back in when ready, with Addy moving to loose and still have option of replacing him mid game if he's struggling with Addy,Mullaney or Mendeika depending on who we have in 4th bench spot.

That could be very brave of you, seeing as the Hacks stay away from asking too many forthright questions when interviewing Jimmy. Though given the chance I would, hopefully he would answer a Fan's question the same way Mick Potter did!

Been told Gaskell will be out for a while. Be interesting to see how well we do without him. Rams might struggle a bit more on the bigger Odsal pitch than when we played them at their place.

Jimmy is a hell of a narky sod but some of the utter guff he gets asked is embarrassing. Hobbo from BCB normally says something fairly inane and then there's someone who sounds like he's 14, who timidly tries to not anger Jimmy and usually fails.

Shaw
Uaisele
Henry
Purtell
Williams
Mullaney
Addy
Sidlow
AoB
Clough
Olbison
Ferguson
Pitts

Crossley
Lauaki
Blythe
Mendieka

Siejka and Baile to miss out.

As we are getting close to the middle eights I suspect he will be keen to start Siejka, and that Mullaney will play full back. Surely Matty Blythe has to be getting a run out and Henry has to be most under threat. Some interesting options in the backs and half backs. I feel that Mendieka has done enough to start with Addy as insurance on the bench.

I would honestly say that Uaisele is the weakest of the Wingers/Centres. He just seems to go down far too easily and doesn't run directly enough for mine. I guess the counter-argument is that a Henry and Blythe combo might be a bit lightweight.

Yeh I understand we probably won't see him until the regular season is almost over now. As long as he is fit for the Middle 8's then I'm not too concerned.

19 man squad:
Adam Henry, Adam O’Brien, Adam Sidlow, Adrian Purtell, Dale Ferguson, Danny Addy, Danny Williams, Epalahame Lauaki, Etu Uaisele, Harry Siejka, Jake Mullaney, James Mendeika, Jay Pitts, Jean-Philippe Baile, Matty Blythe, Paul Clough, Ryan Shaw, Steve Crossley, Tom Olbison.

Id go.

Shaw
Williams
Purtell
Henry
Uaisele
Mullaney
Addy
Sidlow
O'Brien
Clough
Olbison
Ferguson
Pitts

Crossley
Lauaki
Mendeika
Blythe

rest to miss, bit wary of Mullaney as he is just back from injury but only other option is Mendeika at 6 with Baille on bench, rather not rush the injury returns back just yet

Eight matches left. Next five should be winnable without Gaskell. Last 3 are probably a bigger challenge and should we still be without him then let's hope we are safe in the top 2 by then. Maybe the news blackout is necessary regarding how bad his knocks are as he would be likely to receive extra ' treatment' from opposition players when he returns. Recently he seems to have had his fair share of suffering. I'm hoping he makes a swift recovery but maybe it's a great opportunity for someone else to run things.

we also have Peterson who i have seen yet to play, Jimmy must have a big plan for the rest of our squad