Some people have a fear of flying; some people have a fear of driving. I think the Bradford Bulls must have a fear of everything at the moment!
They must be dreading the drive to St Helens, and who wouldn't?
Saints are in absolutely top form at the moment while Bradford are in a huge hole. How on earth are they going to get out of it? Perhaps the glimmer of hope is the way they performed against Leeds during the Easter weekend.
Solomona: Leading light for Bulls
Most people thought Leeds would rip them apart that day, but I said then that it was up to Bradford to perform and prove their critics wrong - which they did!
The problem this time is that they have played a lot of games recently and a lot of their big name players are carrying injuries. Plus they just don't seem to be mentally up for the challenge.
I don't think they have brought very well and it must be difficult for McNamara. We all know about the financial strife they are in so it is not as if he can buy his way out of trouble.
Stevo
Quotes of the week
St Helens v Bradford
8pm, Fri, Sky Sports 1 & HD1
They have players who are going onto the field who look only 50% fit. It seems many a year since the glory of the Brian Noble days - the fans were streaming out during the Warrington game and you could see that they were furious. They were chanting for Steve McNamara's head but he is not the only one to blame, some of the players were just not up to it.
I don't think they have bought very well and it must be difficult for McNamara. We all know about the financial strife they are in so it is not as if he can buy his way out of trouble.
They need a bit of pride and passion to come back into the game. At least in the Warrington loss he had one guy who performed well and that was David Solomona. He was the only one who stood up in that game and I was surprised that McNamara did not throw him on earlier.
I am looking forward to the clash between Solomona and Tony Puletua. They are both big men and are two of the most talented players around.
The likes of Michael Platt, well it became obvious that he was not up to the job at centre. Warrington were just piling through him. Bradford made 11 missed tackles in the opening 15 minutes and five of them came from him.
Ben Jeffries is supposed to control the game for Bradford - he played very well against Leeds and took charge - but against Warrington the only time he took on their defence was four minutes from the end and guess what? He scored!
Terry Newton was disappointing too and did not take charge either.
These players have got to stand up and be counted. All the players are coming out saying that they are all backing the coach but the only one who is walking the walk is Solomona.
We know Bradford are capable of doing it. They need to take a long hard look in the mirror and step up to the mark.
With fuel already costing so much how many fans are going to want to drive over the Pennines to watch a side who is not stepping up? You cannot keep on asking the fans to keep on digging deep in their pockets if you are not going to perform for them.
Stevo says
St Helens win: I fear for Bradford, I really do. They are not going to rest any players and will be out to turn the screw on the Bulls. It is certainly doom and gloom for the Bulls.
Star man
David Solomona: Hopefully McNamara will start with him and his drive will inspire the rest of the team. They need to get off to a good start or else it could be a very dark day for them.
Comments (4)
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Christopher Pollard says...
The Bulls win last evening @ Knowsley Road must rank as the greatest achievement of any club in the 14 years of SL. To have lost 58-22 at home to the Wolves, a team below them in the table for the moment, and then go to 'Top of the Table' St. Helens and take a 10-0 lead with one certain try and one not certain try disallowed by Ian Smith was great play in itself. Then having allowed Saints a 26-10 lead @ half-time only to claw back the deficit with 4 converted tries was sensational as Stevo would put it. Well played, Bulls. Now let's have some consistency thru' the rest of the season.
Posted 10:45 25th April 2009
Chris Jowett says...
Stevos right, i am dreading tonights match. Its been on a downhill slope since that carry on with Harris. I think all of the Bulls success was down to the ground work done by Matthew Elliot. Bulls made there mark on the game with a big hard hitting pack, and fast hard hitting backs. Bring back Lowes and the Paul brothers anything to get us out of this rut!
Posted 16:51 24th April 2009
John Mcgann says...
I think for once, stevo is spot on, it will be damage limitation for the bulls, i expect saints to put the game out of sight within the first half, also with leon pryce's court hearing now finished, leon will go back to doing what he does best, i expect a big performance from leon and the saints 2nite, i say saints by 25....
Posted 12:16 24th April 2009
Paul Farina says...
i think that bradford bulls will turn there season around and with the arrival off rinalldi who's to say they won't do it against saint helens we proved people wrong when we beat leeds and we'll prove all critics wrong again
Posted 02:30 24th April 2009
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