Some think I am a tart, but I couldn't possibly comment ...

I'd go with this. Hopefully Halafihi can get on for a decent stint at hooker to give OB a break and get him some gametime. Last chance saloon for lauaki for me, if he doesnt make more impact then one of tahroui, crossley or davies to replace him next game.

...because you have a mouth full of cumberland sausage?

OOOh err missus..

That's a good point. Its not unknown to totally rest athletes, in our case Rugby I.e. I was training under a coach and when I told him I was away in New York for 10 days he was disappointed and worried. However when I got back I was feeling totally fresh and ripped into what I had to do. I am not sure that will happen but there is definitely a case for it.

Didn't Nobby do that once or twice during his tenure? I'm not sure if Macca did.

Not sure about Nobby. In the T&A JL says he does not believe in burn out. Mmmm really. I respectfully disagree. I know players have to harden physically in the process of playing. But it sounds more like putting all his eggs in one basket. I have voiced an opinion about some rotation. Trying to read behind the lines I just hope we are not getting into mindset of being afraid to lose. Rather we will use all the clubs resources to win whoever we play.

Two related issues here: burn out and putting players on the pitch with injury niggles. I know, as ever, we seem to have a a number of injury issues already but surely the reason behind building a large strong squad was to allow some rotation to try to keep at least 17 of the squad in peak condition for each game, and ensure competition for places. I know AOB has come on leaps and bounds this season which JL puts down to plenty of game time - but what does this do for the other two hookers in the squad? If god forbid AOB picks up a serious injury someone would have to step in with little or no playing time so far in 1st team games.
Still I suppose after the last few years it is nice to have this problem?

Yeah, agree with that.

People are individuals and have different responses to stimuli and whilst there is bound to be the odd athlete who doesn't appear to be affected by 'burn out', it's only because it affects different people at different levels - reach his level and he's gone.

I agree with NR too, what's the point of the squad if they're not going to get a game? We have no reserve team and you can't farm them all out to give them some game time - come the time they will be needed.

I'm not sure how to take Jimmy's statements, to be honest. He's a cute cookie, so I'm certain he knows both the score [iand [/iwhat he's doing - and maybe he was that guy who could always manage everything the club threw as him and then do a couple of hours a day extra on his own volition! I suspect he isn't as unforgiving as he sounds [I certainly hope so..] and maybe the statements in the press, as they sometimes are, are really for internal consumption, rather than for the public?

Northern Relic ... Too true, I hear that loud and clear. As Bulliac has pointed out we have no reserve team playing, Does that mean then, that the players JL has said are improving in the regular first team games are dead certainty's and those trying to get in to the team are where exactly, without having the first team game time to show their quality?

On the other hand, I believe JL is smart bloke and he is In the hot seat where as we have the comfort of being armchair coaches.

Bulls 17

Shaw, Williams, Purtell, Henry, Uaisele, Gaskell, Addy, Clough, O'Brien, Sidlow, Pitts, Olbison, Mellor
Subs: Baile, Lauaki, Fleming, Ferguson

Very strong team. Should be a good game.

Whitehaven standing strong in the first 15 minutes.

Bradford putting a lot of ball on the ground during the early stages of the first half.

Bradford finally break down the Whitehaven defence. Purtell in for a score. Shaw converts.

Whitehaven 0 Bradford 6

Bulls extend their lead. Purtell in for a brace. Shaw misses the conversion.

Whitehaven 0 Bradford 10