Smith: My team is shattered

Bradford coach Rohan Smith says his players are shattered to miss out on the Middle 8s and that he is trying to build the club for the long-term.

The Bulls went down 20-0 to Featherstone yesterday.

“The boys are shattered because they have put a lot of work in over a long period of time and not come up with a performance,” Smith told The Bradford Telegraph & Argus.

“There is disappointment in that we haven’t got where we want to be and also disappointed because we didn’t play very well.

Smith has been in charge at Odsal since May.

“I’m building for the long-term and you saw today with Featherstone the benefits of being together for a long period of time and they really gave us a schooling in how to play,” he saud.

“I came here with a longer-term vision and it wasn’t about trying to get a home run next year.

“What I have tried to do is implement some things which will help us in the long-term.

“That hasn’t quite helped us in the short-term, but I love rugby league and it’s about having some time off now and then coming back to put in some strong performances in the Championship Shield.

“It isn’t quite the same carrot as playing Super League sides, but it’s about finding out what you’re about as a person – a test of character.”