Good performance from the Bulls tonight, 2 points in the bag, Hargreaves seems to have found his game (finally) good kicking game from BJ, Burgess made some yards and tackled well. Bateman looks a real prospect, get him signed up to a longer deal.

Bateman
Whitehead
Donaldson

With Addy, Olbison

The future looks good for the backrow

Don't talk wet. It was cheap & crap but nothing like a sending off. I didn't see all the game but by far the worst incident was Cockayne's swinging fist as Whitehead scored his third try. Very reminiscent of Raynor on Tomkins & could have been serious if he had connected. He even had a second go which also didn't connect fortunately. Prior to the second half I had been hugely impressed by Wakey this season, but the signs are not good if players like Smith & Cockayne are losing it already.

It was a happy bus (well, the passengers were happy

) which left Belle Vue last night. I thought Jeffries was outstanding and Elliott Whitehead's finishing was clinical. The pack played well in general but where Bateman gets his energy from I just don't know after playing for the U20s as well. I can't recall a single player who didn't contribute strongly last night, there were a few errors for sure, but they can all hold their heads high for the spirit and never say die attitude they showed.

I think Potter's gameplan was spot on for that game, but I hope he's got something else in his mind for next week as I don't think it will be as effective against a team like Wire. The Wolves will present a different set of problems than Wakey did but I think most fans will be happy, win or lose, if they give it a good go.......you never know your luck!

I quite like those flashy advertising banners.
Gave the old ground a modern feel.

Shame they pinched the supply for the gents toilet lighting to feed them though...

1st half I thought was very unconvincing. Our attack was pretty predictable and the defence wasn't great. We were too indisciplined as well. Second half was a transformation to rival last week versus Wigan only in a positive way. We sorted out the discipline, stuck to the game plan and could've had over 40points if we'd been a bit more clinical.

Wakey looked good in the first half but lost discipline and composure badly in the second.

I don't expect a win next week versus Wire based on this performance, we've a lot to work on but if we can at least make it difficult for them I'll be reasonably happy.

He knows that Cas & Wakey are not in the same class as Catalans

and Wigan. Still a lot to do if we're gonna get our 1st home win next week

Think Potters been taking post match interview lessons from Kenny Dalgleish

To be fair, the results against Cas and Wakey mean nothing for the games coming up at home. We'll be [ivery[/i fortunate to get anything against either Wire or Stains (maybe some plaudits for making a good match of it, hopefully) and I guess some of the home only supporters will be pretty pigged off if we go no wins from 4 at Odsal, but to be honest it's the most likely outcome.

I suspect the RFL computer was having a joke at our expense when it gave us our first four home games this season. Not sure anyone in Bradford finds it funny though, of course the upside is that we will have some less slightly difficult games to come, so we just need to keep the faith.

Well, boys, I guess my, um, one-on-one pep talks at the Sponsors' evening put a touch of lead in the old pencils. You should be grateful. Mmmm, that Keith is a hunk though.

I can vouch for the fact that I saw Shania with Bateman, Lulia, Crossley, Jeffries and Whitehead so maybe the lady has a point.



In fact, in all the excitement, I feel obliged to single out Lulia for a much improved performance, after the bit of a bagging he (understandably) got after Wigan. I thought he looked a decent prospect and if he can continue to improve at that rate we may have bought ourselves a bargain.

Really? I'm still not convinced. Instead of him being supposedly solid in defence, I'm actually finding myself holding my breath every time the opposition attacks down his side of the field. He doesn't look to have much pace at all, barely any sidestep, and his fend has been ineffective so far.

But I'm not writing him off yet, I know it will take time, but I really do fear the worst for Saturday especially if he is up against Atkins.

I also thought Lulia was much improved at Wakey. He came out the line and closed down Mathers, took his try well and got a couple of decent passes out to Crookes. If he can perform like he did last season at Newcastle he will be a good player for us. Strong, cool headed and able to draw defender to make space for his winger. I'm looking forward to seeing the partnership with Crookes develop in the next few months.