Bradford Bulls vs Leigh Centurions
Referee: James Child (Leeds)

A very good Ref hopefully he will keep the eager Bradford boys in check and allow a good fast game of Rugby which is what we Leythers love.

This game has been one I've been looking forward to all year. After the debacle of the last couple of weeks, I'm just not as up for it. And I'm really peed off with the team and Jimmy for this happening. I think Leigh could really put a score on us on Sunday (I hope I'm wrong but we'll need a good perormamce for the first time in months) Jimmy will play Gaskell. Whether he's fit or not. He's under pressure and a heavy defeat against Leigh could really see things unravel.

We need to bounce back well after the recent debacles on Sunday as it really is the tipping point of the season now.

Looking forward to the game on Sunday. I really do hope it's a good game and some good rugby from both teams.

The most disappointing thing about the Sheffield result is that this game should have been a bit of a money-spinner for the club.

I don't doubt the gate will be good even though league position isn't at stake, but it's a shame the lads gave Mr Green a kick in the knackers as a thank you for running the club.

I too have been looking forward to this match up all season. I bought 2 tickets bringing an disillusioned supporter back. I have apologised for bothering. I really cant see us being close this week after the past performances and being beaten last week. Unless someone has stepped in and got the shower over there interested. Still we are in the 8s and its never over till the Fat Lady Sings I suppose ....

I think it will be a close game and wouldn't like to call it,for me teams are operating Leigh and holding back from them ,Fax gave them 2 close games this season even though we was not playing well,it's a pity the League positions are not far off already being decided.

Why are so many afraid of playing our strongest side?

Leigh have already wrapped up the league leaders shield for the year, will they be playing a weak side and hold their best players back.

I doubt it very much.

Play our best side, fear nothing, sure they'll target our better players, but don't all sides do that.

We should be doing the same and looking to smash Brierley, Hock etc early on just as much as they will be looking to get at our guys.

[qoteWhy are so many afraid of playing our strongest side?

Leigh have already wrapped up the league leaders shield for the year, will they be playing a weak side and hold their best players back.

I doubt it very much.

Play our best side, fear nothing, sure they'll target our better players, but don't all sides do that.

We should be doing the same and looking to smash Brierley, Hock etc early on just as much as they will be looking to get at our guys.'"

Agreed, but I think if we go with our strongest side and we get a tonking, psychologically i don't think we'd recover. Do we have the energy to smash into Leigh? We've been completely dominated against part time opposition recently. That's my worry, i just don't think some of our players have the energy to rip into Leigh. We've been playing so badly for so long now.
If we play a weaker side we maybe could regroup, give certain players who NEED a rest, then play our strongest side for fax and put in dominant performance. I've been massively in favour of going with our strongest side for the last 3 games to hit the 8's with some momentum. But last week messed that up.

There'll be 17 plates onto which Bradford's s will be served I'm afraid.

I've been looking forward to this game all season, but after losing last week I'm less up for it. Top spot is essentially gone now even if we beat Leigh. If we play our strongest team and get beaten it would destroy our confidence, and would boost Leigh's. I'd rest our key players, and if we get beaten, our confidence won't be affected too much, as the players will know that we were fielding a weakened team. Going into the Middle 8s on the back of a few defeats isn't ideal, but I think it's preferable to burning our players out when we know that top spot is gone.

If we cant find the energy to tear in the opposition then Im pretty sure they will find theirs to smash into us.

Im still in favour of winning our remaining games, especially this one. We need to reduce any psychological advantage Leigh hold over us heading into the playoffs. They already know that they can beat us, and that they have been in form all year.

We have got to let them know this week that they cannot just turn us over when they want.

Turning up this week would let Leigh know that we are going to turn up in a few weeks time when it really matters.

This talk of holding back our best players reeks of being scared of the physical contact.

Get them in, put in a strong performance and give Leigh and everybody else that will be in the M8's an indication that we are ready for the playoffs.

I'm really not that interested in the result because it matters even less than it did several months ago.

We probably won't have our strongest 17 available or playing but I think it is important we put up a good show. I would hope the players are thoroughly embarrassed by their last performance at 'fortress Odsal' where they went down without a fight. There is no pressure for either side so I guess it might be a open game, so possession will be key. If we hand over cheap ball like we have been doing then Leigh will punish us.

If Lowes decides against risking Gaskell then I don't see where the creativity will come from but I'd settle for a massive defensive effort and improved attitude. If there is even the slightest doubt re Gaskell then I'd wrap in cotton wool another week or two.