Worringly for 55 minutes Sheffield were the better side until we woke up and started to engage.

Whilst it's good for Rohan Smith to join B Smith, M Elliot, B Noble and F Cummins on winning his first outing as Bradford head coach, last night was uncomfortable viewing for the majority of the game.

You knew after 25 minutes with the score reading 4-0 that this was going to be one of those games where defence was going to be the best form attack.

For Danny Williams this certainly was the case - his outstanding try-saving tackle on Garry Lo must be up there with one of the best defensive efforts from a Northern/Bulls player in recent memory.

You can certainly the impact Rohan was made on the defensive structure with more communication and cohesion between the players. Yes, we conceded three tries, but we certainly made Sheffield work to their limits to post these scores.

As has already been mentioned James Clare was solid at the back and was heavily involved all night.

Unfortunately the attack was lacklustre at best for 75% of the game with the same foolish and unforgivable errors being made - winning the penalty and then knocking on/running in to touch on the first tackle.

Losing Lee Gaskell at halftime was a huge blow, so it was over to Thomas and Addy in the halves, who did a comendable job of orchestrating and moving play.

Thomas really came into his own in the final twenty, taking the game by the scruff of the neck with his effective game management - the drop goal, the three kicks to touch deep inside the Sheffield 10m.

You really got the feeling that he was standing up to be considered as the playmaking 7 we so desperately need.

On reflection Rohan Smith can certainly take a lot of heart from the collective spirit and character shown by his side in finishing the game so strongly last night.

Like I said on the commentary though, the performance will have to raise ten fold for next Saturday's showdown with Leigh in Blackpool.

On the plus side, I expect Rohan will have learnt a bit more about the squad last night than he did watching us run 50 odd past an average Swinton. Beating Leigh looks a very tough ask on current form and with the added blow of Gaskell being injured but with the right mindset, anything is possible.

It was strange, but I thought the Thomas/Gaskell partnership was poor. Maybe just needs more time together. But the Thomas/Addy partnership worked a lot better.

Defensively - too much time standing & watching out wide. Line speed was slow - again out wide. Also didn't play to the whistle. Kept expecting knock-on calls when Sheffield knocked on.... Rarely happened though.

To be honest, Gaskell hasn't seemed his old self for a while, for me. Not sure, but sometimes I feel he maybe has other things on his mind? I accept he still does some good things but he seems a bit semi-detached at times.

It's my belief he's staying at Odsal.

Make your mind up Ffs

I said last night that it's my belief that Gaskell and Clare will stay.

Sadly that means Addy, Clark and Ferguson will move to Super League.

What you say on here, where management can see it, and what you send on texts are different things though aren't they!

You're an idiot

You on the other hand seem to be fairly well informed, what's your thoughts or is it all still up in the air?

which, whilst clearly not his fault, is a fact likely to be noticed by potential suitors.

With all that in mind, he may not now be quite the same capture as last season. However, I strongly suspect there will be offers.

Still hoping he stays!

If he signed for Batley he'll be near the Fox's Biscuit factory when he needs to go in for repairs.