The pack is nowhere near amongst top 3 or 4, Aaron.



Wigan, Saints, Giants, Wolves, Leeds, even Hull maybe all have better packs of forwards than ours IMO.



The fact that we dont have a blockbusting prop that punches holes through defences speaks volumes to me.

When have our pack dominated another team? If the pack was do dominant, Herbert would have had lots more room to work, and let's be honest, he hasn't.



Our players in many ways are a bit too similar in the pack, even Scruton isn't a major go-forward player. His big impact seems to come in defence with big hits. Rarely do you see one of the guys hit the ball at full pelt and scatter defences or cause havoc in the defensive line.

OK, maybe top three or four could be an overestimation. But certainly better than the position where we are now.



If our backline was as good as our pack, we'd be in damn sight better position.

With the ball they are utterly average and in defence this is the worst Bradford pack I can ever remember. 5 of the forwards you mention are 21 or under and the rest are frankly ordinary.

[url=http://bradfordbulls.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/bullpens-midway-bulls-assessment/My mid-season assessment[/url



Doesn't include who I'd retain and release FWIW, there's still plenty of time to go for opinions to change and be formed yet.

Fully fit I'd say the starting pack is up there. I'm not sure the subs and beyond are as good as others in the top 4 or 5 though.

the bench lacks impact although I would argue that Burgess brings a bit of that with him now.

Fully fit I'd say the pack would, more or less, hold its own, but would still lack the sort of, dare I say Sam Burgess type, who scatters the opposition. Young Tom looks promising, but is still inexperienced, even more so than some of the other young players who keep coming in as 'back up' for the injured players.



They're not helped by having to come into a misfiring squad like we have at the moment, but given increased gametime alongside the more experienced pros (if we can keep them fit

) to help their development there's no reason to think they won't come into the first team in their own right over the next year or so and personally I'd like to see them be given the chance.



In general I'd go along with those who suggest the backs are where we struggle most and that is where I'd spend most on recruitment next season. It's also the backs where we don't seem to be bringing the academy players through at the moment, so recruiting there has less of an impact.

I'd agree with all that. The halfbacks and backs are a priority along with one tough forward who can break the line.



Shame we lost our most promising home produced backs to Warrington and Hudders, here's hoping we keep any more that come through.

I'm having trials with Harlequins soon, if i get in I'm demanding a move to Bradford for some game time. Me and Platty in centres!

Absolutely. One game that sticks out in my mind is the one versus Huddersfield. Our pack got well and truly beaten up by the Giants. We need another fearsome Prop as an absolute must for next year. I'd also like to see us sign some genuine quality at 13.



We need a bit of grunt, someone who the opposition know won't think twice about dishing out a bit of biff! When was the last time we had an opposition fan on here complaining about one of our players.

We dont need another massive overhaul next season we just need to add some quality. I'd be quite happy with Leon Pryce and Ben Jeffries at 6 & 7, with Kyle Briggs and Cain Southernwood as back up. A quality forward, Trent Waterhouse would do nicely in a back row with Whitehead and Langley, with Elima on the bench. We have got to sign a proven centre, someone like Matt Cooper, and i would take a punt on Karl Pryce, bring him home with Leon.



I would release Walker, Raynor, Sykes, Herbert, Crookes, Crossley, Sibbit and Halley.



1. Brett Kearney

2. Karl Pryce

3. Micheal Platt

4. Matt Cooper

5. Patrick Ah Van

6. Leon Pryce

7. Ben Jeffries

8. Bryn Hargreaves

9. Heath L'Estrange

10. Andy Lynch

11. Trent Waterhouse

12. Elliott Whitehead

13. Jamie Langley



14. Matt Diskin

15. Nick Scruton

16. Craig Kopzcak

17. Olivier Elima



Bateman, Briggs, Addy, Ainscough, Southernwood, Donaldson, Olbison, O'Brien, Burgess, Finigan