I wouldn't call Mathers average. If we didn't have Kearney in the squad then I'd love to see us sign him. But really, we don't need another FB as we have far more important positions that require filling

The last few games Mathers has really got back to his Leeds form, with some lovely handling as well as confidence returning the ball. I think he is probably the best British FB in SL. As a youngster he reminded me of John Woods at 6, which I am sure he could still play. The new coach needs to decide who his first choice FB is going to be as a priority.

This is a bit of a sad case really.



Mathers is clearly a very good fullback, and taking into account their overall game, every bit as good as Kearney (if different in style). The problem is that we dont need 17 utility players, or players shifted around to accomodate others. Platt, Halley, Sykes, Reardon and Kearney all rate FB as their best position (even though i would very much argue against this in PLatt who has been like a new player in the centres). Mathers is better than 4 of them, but we are stuck with 4 of them for next year.



Would like to see him have a go at 6, if he was a SO as a kid, but his salary would be too much to take a gamble on adapting him.



So a reluctant, thanks, but no thanks from me.

Good player but not the position we need. We already have Kearney, Halley, Reardon, and Sykes for full-back cover!



IMO we need a stand off, a centre/wing and another front row forward.

Mathers played a lot of stand off in that past and has the skills for the position. I would have no problem at all with him being No6 for us. It'd leave Kearney at FB where he's suited and Sykes could move back into the centres.

That's a fair assessment IMO. That said, I think he has enough quality to bed in well at stand-off. He always looked like he could move up to the halves as a Leeds player. I'd say he's a more natural 6 than Sykes, and definitely a more reliable player overall. Given the current state of the Bradford backline you would be foolish to not be making enquiries.

could we outbid the likes of huddersfield (looking for a new full back) though?

Probably not. But maybe he'd rather play stand off? Who knows. It might not just come down to cash, it could be on where he gets to play, or the length of the deal or even on the impression the club makes on him in negotiations.



I would say that Hudders prob have more to spend but will also be nearer the cap limit.

Haven't they signed Wade Mckinnon?

With the limited funds we have available I think we should concentrate on signing players who have proven experience in our weak areas. Mathers may well make a decent fill in stand off but we already have one of those at the club. This years recruitment is going to be very tough for the incoming coach, it is hard to see where the quality players we need will come from to be honest.

i don't know. it's not official AFAIK if they have.

If he was coming as SO it would be another player out of position and we have enough versatile players but looking about there doesn't seem to be a lot of OOC players available who are significantly better in that position.

If we got him and had a full pre season of our half backs learning together it might be we'd struggle to find better from what's available. Bearing in mind I'd have no hesitation in re-signing Menzies so I only considered UK trained.