When Nobby picked Michael at loose forward for the friendly vs Keighley and put him on the bench versus Huddersfield and then against Doncaster it showed to me that he likes to have a bit of size on the bench. The Doncaster game was the real telling selection - going with LSS, Pele and Michael on the bench with Lilley.

Did anyone ask Nobby to explain that selection? I'm intrigued because Michael is a very different player to Donaldson and Michael came on to play at loose forward. Is Donaldson not fit? Or was it the gameplan to really put pressure on Doncaster down the middle with ever bigger lads coming on?

I guess that for games on a small heavy pitch like Odsal it makes sense to have a lot of big lads in the 17. I'm sure Waine could play as an extra prop like Michael if he comes on and plays at no 13. It's whether we want to be sparing with Donaldson or not.

Lawrence can rotate to 13 as well.

I suppose you look at what happens with injuries. If a prop is injured, we still have 4 props in the 17. If a 2nd rower is injured, either Lawrence or Michael go to loose. If a centre is injured, Fulton is the obvious cover option. Lilley can play halves & FB

Scurr is the starting prop at the moment with Lawrence so on the bench is 2 props Michael and Pele plus waine LBB to miss out from last week.fantastic impact from the bench that is how I would go .maybe also start Lilley in the halves for this game.

I'd keep Meadows and Keyes together. Having two good kickers of the ball is already showing a massive improvement on last year. Lilley is decent but his kicking game isn't as good as theirs.

Id keep meadows and keyes together also meadows n eds time to settle in its a new partnership bonkers we are able to have these debates

Anyone any idea how ticket sales are going? Still yet to get mine.

The early kick off unfortunately made the decision for me - we won't make it for that time.

It'll be interesting to see how much the attendance is affected by the bbc coverage and early kick off. I'll be struggling to get there for 1 o'clock due to existing commitments, but I'll be trying my best. It'd be a real shame if we don't get a decent turn out. Fingers crossed that those that can make it, do make it and bring a few extra quid into the clubs coffers.

https://www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/article ... urO8jONlbg

https://www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/article ... urO8jONlbg

Our strongest possible 21 squad. Not sure I would risk Armitage in such a high stakes game. I would go with the same squad that faced Doncaster with Waine, Liu, Hallas and Armitage missing out.

Bayliss,liu,hallas and gill to miss out would think for me.

Looking at the Sheffield v Wigan and York v HKR scorelines really illustrates the gap between championship and superleague. We certainly have our work cut out. Still looking forward to tomorrow and hopefully a good showing.