Who takes the credit - McBanana, Potter, Medley, Agar?

Potter, clearly. Theyd all be playing a game a season if Macca was here.

Cracking question, that!!!

I was at the game and have direct knowledge of how most of the young players have come to be there.

(I suppose I have to say IMO) the direct "credit" goes to Paul Medley and Stuart Barrow, for being at the forefront of the decision as to who is signed as a Bulls Academy player (with big help from their Scholarship coaches and Scouts) and they are the people directly involved in the players progression from that point, by their coaching along with their assistant coaches.

Maybe the senior coaches can claim an influence over Liam McAvoy's progress,as he is in the full time squad and trains with them when he is able to, but the coaching of the rest of them is down to these two men.

The 18s who played on Saturday (which did not contain the still eligible John Bateman [quite rightly - he is beyond this level] and Connor Spencer), were what I believe is the strongest mix available of U18s and U17s players and it would serve the Bulls well to try to keep them playing together through the season as much as possible, rather than diluting them by taking players into the 20s because of shortages. The 20s have been weakened throughout the season by lack of experienced 1st team squad players dropping down, because of the injury situation, as well as 20s own injuries , resulting in their position in the table being as it is.

I am all for moving up when it is right for the player:- thats the only way you get to be good enough, but it should be when there is a good enough team around you so that you can learn from it, add to it and any minor mistakes are covered by the more experienced players, not a team which is full of other youngsters and thus at an obvious disadvantage to other teams with full squads.

If this set of 18/17s can be kept together, the problem will be sorted in 2 years when they are all 20s, and also the quickest developers will be pushing the fringe of the first team.

That is a very interesting summation and viewpoint, coming as it does from someone very well-placed and qualified to comment, especially since we've seen quite a few people on the internet forums having a go at Medders and Barrow of late.

Guess only time will tell, but so far its looking encouraging there.

VERY interested to hear the opinion regarding the 20s current situation. Must say it makes a hell of a lot of sense IMO.

I think it's clear as day that the U20's are vastly understrength given that they are about 9 eligible players down. However, they really shouldn't be 11 games in and 11 games lost.

The age group classifications are been changed again next year to U19's and U23's replacing the disastrous age groups we have now.

Will the overage player limits change for the u23's?

It is easy to make this criticism based on the numbers. Adey mentioned that Stuart Barrow/Paul Medley have come in for criticism, I suppose its because people are looking at it in the same way as you.

As I said, it is not only the effect of the number of injured core 20s squad players, but the lack of the first team squad players playing in the 20s that have resulted in this year's league position.

This has meant that the places have been filled in with 17/18 year olds. In the last but one 20s game v Leeds there were 7 of them, and no first team squad members - Callum Windley being promoted after that.

The other teams ALWAYS have first team squad / first team experienced players in.

It makes a massive difference at this age. In this era of forward domination, the everlasting adage that a prop hasnt matured until he is 27 is still the case. His body generally hasnt developed adequately to meet the stresses on it until he is past 22. You cant expect boys to win against men.

Someone may still comment that it is the same for everybody, but Bulls have lost every game. I guess this then can then only be down to how many players are carried in each squad at every level, such that injuries are not affecting the teams with bigger squads as much in the results. It is obvious that Bulls dont have the luxury to have big squads at every level.

So, whilst the first teams results are positive, and the 18s are on a roll, and RL is all about confidence and momentum, that is why I said dont dilute the 18s by bringing them into 20s unless it is for their individual personal development. In the current circumstances, let the 20s result be what it will be, and watch for the improvement in the near future when the 18s come through.

And importantly, give the current 20s the positive support of true fans.

It's actually played 9 lost 9 with the points difference standing at -255.

Salford away next up on Friday who are joint Third having only lost 2 out of 11.

From what I've seen of the Bradford Bulls Valvoline Cup exploits - RL FAN 6500 gives the best summation on the situation.

Basically the reason for the 0/9 record realistically comes down to the horrendous crippling injuries sustained by both the Valvoline Cup Super League squads.

Yeah I understand that and agree.

they won 5 last year all season, I would be happy with that again this season based on writing off these first 11 but with the first team squad getting players back over the next weeks and months, O'briens just back etc, so add some experienced players to some good young talent and I can only see things getting better, as with the 1st team.

I'm grateful for the wise insights of RL500 regarding the current state of the U20s

I'm especially interested to hear the argument that the U18s shouldn't be promoted into the U20s just to make up numbers, presumably because it would have an adverse effect on longer term development. That sounds like an eminently sensible idea to me.

Let's face it, this seasons Valvoline Cup is a write off already. We aren't going to qualify for anything, and the squad will do well to avoid the wooden spoon. A couple of morale boosting wins is the best that can be hoped for at this point in time.

If that means that our best Academy prospects are knocking on the first team door in two years time, well, that is perfectly acceptable.

thanks in advance Duckman, looking forward no pun intended to these highlights.