Mike Forshaw is wary of his side's Super League trip to Warrington tonight.
The 30-year-old Bradford Bulls loose forward remembers only too well that his side had their unbeaten record shattered at Wilderspool last season.
"It is going to be a very difficult game," said the former England international.
"With all the adversity they have had this week, they will be trying their best to prove a point.
"They have beaten St Helens, Wigan and Leeds there so we must be wary."
Bulls coach Brian Noble said he is expecting a "dogfight" as his side bid to stay at the top of the Tetley's Super League.
He said: "Wilderspool has been nicknamed the 'Zoo' over the years for particular reasons, and I don't anticipate anything different tonight.
"Warrington were in-volved in a quite ferocious match at Wakefield last week, which included a number of brawls, so it is important that we stay focused and disciplined and do a job. We just need to get the two points and get out of there."
As for Warrington's loss of their coach Darryl Van de Velde, their captain Allan Langer and some of their leading players, Noble reckons that will gal-
l Continued Page 31
vanise them, and quotes the Wales v England game last Tuesday as an example of what can happen when a side hits a pocket of problems.
Added Noble: "Wales had seven players pull out on them and came up with a showing like that.
"It's 'backs to the wall' time for the Wolves and I am sure that part of the message in their preparation will be to go out and give it to the Bulls and show that they can cope with all this adversity.
"We were beaten there last season and we have had difficult games against them in the cup so we know to expect a battle."
Wolves are set to name their new head coach today before the match, but acting coach Paul Darbyshire has a new half-back pairing of Tawera Nikau and Jon Clarke, who switches from the pack to offset the loss of the departed Langer and the injured Lee Briers.
Paul Noone takes over Nikau's loose forward role and reserve hooker Mark Gleeson will make his full Super League debut.
Lee Penny regains his full back position, Alan Hunte going onto the wing.
Utility back Gary Hulse, yet to play in Super League, and under-21 coach Gary Chambers are on the bench.
Bulls will select from a full-strength squad, with international prop Stuart Fielden set to return from a "dead leg" which forced him to miss last week's win at Halifax and England's midweek match against Wales.
Henry Paul needs three points for a career total of 1,500 in the British game. He has scored 115 tries, 515 goals and seven drop goals.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article