MATTY Blythe insists he is happy to continue being Bradford's Mr Versatile as Jimmy Lowes’ side go in search of a third straight win today.
The Bulls face winless part-time outfit Swinton at Widnes and Blythe is expected to be named among the interchanges for the third game running.
The arrival of Kris Welham during the close-season has seen Blythe lose his centre spot and used off the bench in the pack.
Blythe played on the wing in the Million Pound Game against Wakefield last season and his utility value has come to the fore already this term.
The former Warrington man said: “It’s different to last year when I was playing centre, but it’s nice to be in the forwards again.
“That utility option off the bench is what Jimmy is looking for this year and it’s what I’m looking for too.
“It keeps you on your toes in training because you don’t really know what position you will be coming on at.
“But wherever I play I will give 100 per cent and it’s up to Jimmy whether I start or come off the bench.
“I’m not that fussed because I’m enjoying myself at the minute.”
Had things turned out differently, Blythe might have been a Widnes player now.
He held talks with Denis Betts’ side following the Bulls’ relegation in 2014 and at one point looked destined to sign for the Vikings.
In the end, the 27-year-old chose to remain loyal to Bradford.
Blythe added: “I was going around different clubs and stuff like that, and Widnes offered me something, but I wanted to stay here at Bradford and get the club back up.
“There was bits and bobs going on, but nothing concrete.
“We’ve brought some decent players in this season and we’re still building as a team.
“We will continue doing that throughout the year and towards the middle eights. Hopefully we will do a bit better this time.”
Blythe is among a group of players who have suffered at the hands of Widnes’ artificial i-Pitch.
But he insists there should be no excuses this evening and is focused on producing a solid performance.
“I’ve had a few injuries on there, but you don’t blame the pitch anymore because it’s all in your head,” said Blythe.
“It’s a bit different playing on an artificial surface compared to grass, and you’re obviously more used to playing on grass.
“But for me it’s rugby league and you’re going to get injured at some point one way or another.
“There are no excuses and we won’t be looking for any either.
“We will going in 100 per cent this week against an enthusiastic Swinton side because it’s going to be a tough game.
“If you don’t turn up on the day you will get beat. We saw that last week in Super League when Salford beat St Helens.
“Every week is a mental and physical challenge and I guarantee it will be the same against Swinton. I’m looking forward to it.”
Meanwhile, the Bulls’ main sponsor, Provident, is to give away 10,000 tickets inconjunction with the Bradford Bulls Foundation to groups who might not normally attend rugby league matches.
Schools, community groups, disability groups and families will be given the opportunity to take their seat in the Provident Stand for a Championship match this season.
Provident sponsorship manager Paul Mitchell said: “We’re into our fourth year as the main partner of the Bulls and our ‘Supporting Bulls Supporters’ activities, which we have had a fantastic response to from existing fans.
“We want to expand on this and encourage local communities to come and see the lads in action and catch the ‘Bulls bug’!
“Many people will have been unable to attend due to various reasons.
“Giving them this opportunity will hopefully grow the club’s fanbase and see more people pass through the turnstiles to join the Bulls family in seeing this great club get back to the big time.”
Bradford chief executive Robbie Hunter-Paul said: “Provident will support the initiative to get disadvantaged children, young people, families and identified groups from the local region to watch live sport, an opportunity which may not have previously been available to them.
“The project will work alongside the Bradford Bulls Foundation to identify specific groups from within our community to allow the opportunity to not just consume the matchday entertainment but be part of it at the Provident Stadium.”
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