Not sure whether it's a good or a bad thing but does anyone feel that with the signings of Crossley and now Mendeika - both Championship standard players - we are building a core set of players just incase we fail to go up?

The guy seems to versatile enough - plays at centre for Fev, and played for Ireland at full back and stand off.

Jimmy does like players who can play in more than one position, and he fits the bill. Great strike rate as well when it comes to scoring tries

Looking forward to seeing him play.

Although, I have to wonder where this leaves Shaw. Uaisele and Williams seem to be our first choice wingers and both seem to be forming solid partnerships with Henry and Purtell

Does anyone? I would suggest anyone that rates Shaw at fullback is either blind or has the surname of "Shaw".

Seriously though, the difference in Mullaney and Shaw is massive. Shaw to me shows as a good squad player, can provide adequate backup in numerous positions. But he's never going to be in your first choice 17.

Having not seen Mendeika, I find it hard to judge. But I would expect he's a similar kind of squad player, providing backup all over, but not playing when everyone is fit.


As far as Adam Henry goes, I'm in the camp that he's not good enough. He's had one good game (vs. Sheffield) and other than that, is full of errors and stupid decisions. Again, with a fully fit squad, he's not in the 17 for me. Waste of a quota spot and not one I'd want to keep if we got back into Super League.

We still have Blythe and Baille to fit in somewhere, plus Ulugia and Shaw so can't see where this guy fits in. I thought that when Crossley was signed, when you consider that we are awash with forwards, and Davis and Peterson still to get a game. I presume he has signed with a view to maybe getting a game sometime.

Pretty certain walker isn't our first choice winger

Interesting NH v SH choices we have in the outside backs.

Mullaney, Uaisele, Purtell, Henry, Ulugia
v
Mendeika, Shaw, Blythe, Baile, Williams

From what I can remember there are a few players on one-year deals including Mullaney, Purtell, Henry, Baile, Sidlow, Conroy and Brook, I reckon the signing of Mendeika points to one of those leaving, particular if we need to reduce our overseas and non-fed quota fudge.

Our best strike player last season playing at centre - wouldve won player of season last season had he not done his cruciate away at haven

Has also played 1, 6, 9, 13 for us so versatile though in the centre was his best posistion for us in my opinion

Worked his way back to fitness but has made only 1 appearance this season - at haven in the league 3 weeks ago and had a shocker at full back and got hauled off after 60 mins

Simply cant and not getting in the team at the moment - our chairman has already come out and said he is currently 4th choice full back at this moment in time

Weve certainly not missed him this season

Cant see him in our or your first choice 17 so its a strange move all round for me however the change of scenery plus the guaranteed FT environment may do him some good, plus another off the wage bill for us

Dont expect any pots broken initially probably though will probably get a hattrick on 1st July

I vaguely remember him at an academy game 3yrs or so ago, I think he played 6 for Wire. Looked very good then. I think he was the one that Ainscough broke his arm in a tackle at that match. Jimmy obviously remembers him from his Warrington days.

Either Mullaney's injury is worse than reported. Or Mullaney is going to play rest of season in the halves with Gaskell and this basically spells the end of Siejka's Bradford career (at least for this season)

Addy showed he can kick goals, so one of Shaws reasons for being in the team is removed. Lots of possibilities.

Ferres stated in the T&A yesterday that some players will be leaving which is normal.
I would keep Shaw but I don't see him as a solid fullback.
This new lad does look decent - although only in 8 mins of video - but we will all now be looking forward to seeing him play.
Maybe he is a replacement for Mullaney at FB who MAY take over from Gaskell at SO next year with Seika and possibly Sammut as our three halves.

Mendeika-Siejka.
Any taker?
Hope at least one
Is a decent laiker

Had a quick look on the Leigh board earlier, has I sometimes do for a bit of a laugh and found they have a thread asking who they want in the next round of the cup. I'm no fan of Wakie and wouldn't mind seeing them relegated, hopefully to change places with us, but I would love it if they rain on Leigh's parade on Sunday

Oh, I hope Leigh beat Wakey. Not because I dislike Wakey, but because it means our main rival in the league has to play at least 160 minutes more rugby than Bradford this year.

Not sure whether keeping Wakey engaged in the cup wouldn't pay a bigger dividend. A draw with several replays would have been ideal. It's a great opportunity for everyone else to study both teams. It could also have a great bearing at a psychological level.... For either team. If Leigh can beat Wakey then we would definitely have to be thinking we could do it. Hopefully they could go on and draw Widnes or Hull as I'd be thinking they could be middle eight contenders.