Bradford Bulls preview

Last season

It is becoming a far-too familiar feeling for Bradford fans to be watching the play-offs from afar.

A second successive 10th-placed finish saw them end up seven points shy of the top eight - a margin that is far too big for a club that has been crowned Grand Final winners on no fewer than three occasions.

For coach Mick Potter it was a dose of reality after his time with St Helens, though it is hard to argue he could have done a whole lot more with the squad he had at his disposal, particularly as injuries hit hard.

There were still some highlights in 2011, not least an 18-12 win away to arch-rivals Leeds, their first triumph at Headingley in four years. There was also a 36-0 thrashing of Huddersfield in July, as well as draws against Saints - Potter's former club - and Catalans Dragons.

However, there were also plenty of games to forget for their supporters. They leaked more than a half-century of points to Warrington twice and lost a titantic opener against the Rhinos at Cardiff due to a late, late penalty try.

Filling the half-back positions was again an issue, resulting in the signing of the experienced Ben Jeffries midway through the year, but there were promising signs from some of the club's youngsters.

Ins and outs

Bradford have always looked overseas for help to get them back to past glories, albeit with mixed results that have ranged from the sublime (such as new co-captain Heath L'Estrange and Brett Kearney) to the ridiculous (such as Matt Orford and Glenn Hall, who were both expensive flops).

This year Potter has recruited three new names from the NRL. Keith Lulia and Adrian Purtell arrive from Newcastle Knights and Penrith Panthers respectively to bolster Bradford's back line and provide some strike power.

Former Parramatta Eel Manase Manuokafoa would have been eager to impress in the front row after signing a one-year deal, only for a pre-season injury to push back the start of his career in England.

Potter has also recruited from closer to home too, adding former Crusaders duo Elliot Kear and Jarrod Sammut and picking up Luke Gale (can he be the answer at stand-off?) from Harlequins. Karl Pryce is back at Odsal and, in the words of his new boss, drinking in the last chance saloon when it comes to playing in Super League.

Leading points-scorer Patrick Ah Van and top try-scorer Shad Royston have both left, but the biggest loss will be experienced forward Andy Lynch.

Last year's captain was sold on to Super League rivals Hull FC for a "significant six-figure sum", boosting the club's coffers but leaving them with a huge hole in their pack.

Outlook

By Ross Heppenstall - Bradford Telegraph & Argus (follow him on Twitter @rosshmediaman)

Remember Bradford under Brian Noble? Remember their incredible success? Seems a long time ago now doesn't it?

Let it be remembered that the Bulls famously featured in five successive Grand Finals between 2001 and 2005.They won three of them, lifted the Challenge Cup in 2000 and 2003 and were also crowned World Club Challenge winners in 2002, 2004 and 2006.

The reasons for their downfall have been well documented.

They spent big in their pursuit of that silverware and lived beyond their means, something which has caught up with them since they made history charging from third place to beat Leeds in 2005.

There have been financial problems - big financial problems - and a club that once gorged on silverware have become also-rans.

Last season's 10th-placed finish marked a new low - it was the third successive year that they had failed to make the Super League play-offs.

For a club and a city the size of Bradford, that is simply not acceptable.

There were, however, mitigating circumstances. It was Mick Potter's first year as head coach, there was disruption during pre-season, and injuries bit deep throughout the campaign.

Key players such as hookers Heath L'Estrange and Matt Diskin, and prop Nick Scruton, were reduced to the sidelines for long periods.

But this is a new year and a new squad at Potter's disposal. He has brought in eight new players, bringing some much-needed creativity at half-back in Luke Gale and Jarrod Sammut, and strike power in centres Adrian Purtell and Keith Lulia.

The Bulls have nurtured some impressive homegrown talent, especially in the forwards, and their financial worries have been eased massively by the RFL's recent purchase of Odsal.

Now it is up to Potter and his players to deliver on the field. This is a pivotal year for the Bulls, who must give their huge following something to cheer about or risk losing them in droves.

That means finishing in the top eight. Nothing less will do.