Any chance anyone could update me/us about Purtell or has this just degenerated in to journo bashing/love in session?

I dont think theres anything new on Purtell, and the journo bashing finished as a score draw, I have adjusted my cynicism level down to healthy from totally.

Torn pec - 6 weeks.

Nasty injury.



Hopefully he can rest up and be back asap

Meh, rather frustrating for us and him i'm sure but these things happen. Glad Lulia is looking likely to be fit now.

aye, I'm sure we were all hoping for them being a pairing in the though.

That is a very harsh statement you have made against a very competent, effective and well respected sports journalist.



You should also note that Ross is having his second spell at Odsal after covering the Bradford Bulls during the feel good halcyon days of the early 2000's and I don't seem to recollect any complaints about his journalistic style then.



As Bulliac correctly says "The relationship between club and paper, whilst not exactly symbiotic, is pretty much one of a 'win win' for both sides as it's fair to say they both benefit from it. It should never get too chummy."



The above is true but on the flip side of this have you ever thought that at times during the pre-season/season the club may not have or be sending any information Ross's way.



If there is simply no news to report from the club, what do you expect Ross to do? Do a Dave Craven and start making stuff up which ends up being detrimental to the club?



I know that Connor Murphy set the bar high during his two years at the T&A but it was only after the first six months that everyone started singing what a breath of fresh air he was.



It's only right that Ross is given that same time to settle in and do what he does best.

And you can't say fairer than that!

I think ross is reporting things well!

Yes, give him time to find his own voice, but genuinely his own. I thought the flow of articles pre season was pretty good, as it covered players that were returning from injury and almost new recruits as well as actual new recruits, and just when the pledge 2 scheme was open, providing a bit of perspective on the difficulties of last season.

I wouldn't start defending journalists if I were you Mick, even if you've now joined the 'pres pack' . What did Craven make up by the way? They'll take your NUJ card off you for that kind of talk.



On Murphy the six monthly watershed you speak of roughly corresponded with Murphy's long piece publicly urging the board to renew Macnamara's contract. In the aftermath of this 'foot in mouth' moment he did go on to produce some genuinely analytical pieces which adequately reflected the disappointment of the fan base. He also appeared to have genuine affection for the club but to say he set the bar high is over egging the pudding IMO.

I can't for the life of me think what there is significant to gripe about in the case of either Murphy or Heptonstall. Maybe I'm missing something. Journalists do what journalists do, and I doubt they would consider they need any 'defending'. The T&A doesn't give a whole lot of information out about in depth Bulls stuff, but I presume that this won't be for lack of asking. What is the issue with Heptonstall, then? What do people want? Paul Foot?