i certainly feel that the players need to up it, but i am concerned that potter does not seem to notice or care that the tinkering is not helping. if platt a starting centre he should be played there unless there is somebody kicking down the door. i suppose the case and point would be royston playing well and not being used etc

As an outsider looking in this seems to the most obvious problem.

Mick Potter needs to be given time. The guy has a proven pedigree of putting together strong sides. At least let him see out his contract and see how you've progressed as of next year. I don't know if the backroom staff were picked by Potter, but that could be one area to be re-addressed.

It is your backline that needs urgent re-addressing. In Lynch, Scruton, Kopczak and Burgess you have some quality. Langley and Elima (possibly one of your best signings so far) have some size. I think an experienced professional at either prop or in the back row would be a shrewd signing. Someone in the Ryan Hoffman mould at Wigan. Works like a machine in attack and defence, but most importantly he is the ultimate experienced professional. Someone for your younger forwards to look up to and pick up a few habits. Mark O'Meley and Craig fitzgibbon are OOC at Hull, while I admit they're the wrong side of 30 and overseas, they are two top quality players who have an awesome work ethic. If Wakefield lose their license I would snap up a lad called Paul Johnson at prop. I think in Matt Diskin and Heath L'estrange you have two excellent hookers if you can keep them fit.

The backs will prove the biggest problem. Thomas Bosc and Leon Pryce I believe have been linked with Bradford. Either would be top draw for you. Jefferies can do a job for you as well as Herbert, but neither will be consistent enough IMO. Brett Kearney, Gareth Raynor and Michael Platt look decent. I think Patrick Ah Van has shown promise along with Royston. I think he can only improve in his second season. He'd be worth holding on to. You've signed a new centre who must be good in defence and will hopefully show some flair. Chev Walker is far too injury prone IMO and there are some players who are just crap, but it's a difficult situation because the market for quality backs is grim.

I have sympathy for Bulls fans because I saw Wigan gradually decline, but I have also seen us rise back to the top. It can be done, but it took four years. Gradual improvement is all you can ask for and I think Mick Potter can put the building blocks in place for Bradford to do that. The club must be a bit more ambitious IMO. Why weren't they in the market for Trent Waterhouse? Stefan Ratchford? If a player like Rangi Chase becomes available they should go out for him all guns blazing. Lance Hohaia? Anthony Laffranchi? Imagine if you signed just one of these players. It would turn your whole squad around and you'd see a significant improvement. That is speculation of course, because you might have been in the market for them and if so you must continue to chase these top quality players.

Anyway I'm rambling. Just a few thoughts. I wish Bradford all the best. I've been to Odsal and seen us get slammed many times, but you had to admire the quality your side had. I never felt any animosity from your fans either. One of the better Yorkshire clubs. I've seen my club go through something similar so I've every sympathy. All the best for the future - keep your chin up - you'll get there!

Great post mate .

Daniel Holdsworth is on his way for 2012 if you believe the rumours.

the same holdsworth that signed a new deal at salford last year?. FWIW connor discounted that rumour as being regurgitated from last year (when we did look at holdsworth) a few weeks back.

True but there must be some substance in it otherwise I fail to see why LW would mention it.

Do you think that Peter Hood set his height far too high at the start of the season with a top four finish expected?

I have to be honest in that the calibre of players at Odsal aren't good enough to match the board and supporters expectations of a top four finish with them showing from the twenty one Super League games to date poor discipline, poor ball handling, poor tackling etc and the alarming lack of fitness is a massive concern of mine ahead of 2012 as we always seem out on our feet come the final third of the game.

This all not helped by the players seemingly lack of taking the responsibility for their performances (can you honestly accept the one week on fire (Leeds 12-18 Bradford) then two weeks of trash (Bradford 28-34 Catalans, Castleford 34-30 Bradford) view in light of the inconsistent nature of the performances?

Well i now take what he says with a massive pinch of salt after the Leon farce.

which bit of LW was it in? if it was in dosey parkers column then you can pretty much discount it at as he rarely does anything except print rumours of internet as scoops.

I haven't read it all yet but there is an article suggesting that we might be looking to offer Herbert a new deal. In amongst the article it mentions the Bulls trying to sign Seymour and having been linked with Holdsworth. Just repeating a rumour from what I can see.

1 year extension is all I'd offer providing we cant find someone who is a genuine improvement. think holdsworth would be stronger in some areas but weaker in others so not worth buying out of his salford contract.

I won't hold much optimism for 2012 if we're looking at BJ and Herbert as our starting halfbacks. Surely not? I reckon a few on here might change their tune on whether we should have gone back in for Pryce if that turns out to be the case.

tbh not sure pryce would be the answer. We seem to be lacking someone to organise the side. pryce, herbert and jeffries are all pretty much supporting standoff type players rather than creative scrum half types. We need an organising scrum half for any of them to play alongside IMO.

We also lack a halfback who threatens the lines and can produce a game changing piece of skill.