No idea who's coming off contract elsewhere. Props would be my main priority along with a fullback.

Hitchcox abviously, Shaul from Hull, he will probably be released at end of the season. LMS from Saints is just the type of aggresive prop we need and probably has a couple of years left in him at our level. Everything depends on our budget.

Given that the likes of Patton as noticeable put on weight as well as your existing players not getting in shape I would suggest something culturally is wrong at the club or your strength n conditioning coach isn’t doing is job . I know Batley have a strict alcohol policy and fax are 20% fitter than last year , the championship is getting harder every year , it’s not just recruitment it’s the job lot .

We know all about the crap culture of the club. I'm not sure it's down to the S&C coach as players are obviously eating whatever they want given their size. A lot of players don't care. There are exceptions. For instance Tom Doyle looks fit and gets through more work than a few others put together.

I think the OP said the thread was just about players. If we were to look at off field positions I'd say a clean sweep of the whole lot is needed. A new head coach from outside would've been a useful break with the past but I'd say the problems at the club go right to the top.

I think Shaul may be a spent force and LMS could still command a SL spot somewhere. He'd never sink as low as us. It all comes down to budget as has been said. Trouble is the rot has been allowed to set in and it may have gone too far.

Yeah I fear that the likes of Shaul and LMS are way, way beyond what we will be able to afford next season. Struggling to think of options myself.

The issue with that kind of player i.e SL player no longer able to get a full-time SL contract is that we would likely be competing with Halifax, York, Newcastle etc who seem to have no issue with outbidding us.

Very true,as I said it all depends on our budget.

There are two ways to get out of the situation we are in. One is employ a strong coach who can get maximum and more out of our players or two buy quality players who can get us some results. Unfortunately we already have a new coach on an 18 month contract and we don't have enough funds to buy some wins. So?

This is the worst Bradford squad I’ve seen in my lifetime and we’ve made the most underwhelming coaching appointment at the same time.

I think a chunk of the squad are better than what they’ve shown but I don’t see them getting their form and fitness back at this club.

The league 1 squad was far better than this one.

Leaves secret option 3. The players are told the consequences for not hitting targets in training and fitness will be significant and if we have to start using the reserves & academy more, we will do

Unfortunately the hiring of MD makes that scenario implausible because he doesn't have the reputation he needs the players onside more than they need him.

My only counter to that is that Nigel has hung what remains of his reputation on that appointment of MD and has no option other than to back him to the hilt.