The Bulls are not ready to give up on their season just yet.
A run of 11 straight defeats has made play-off qualification virtually impossible but Wayne Godwin admits the chance to impress incoming coach Mick Potter should be incentive enough for a strong finish.
Potter will arrive at Odsal in November to take up a two-year deal as head coach, charged with transforming on-field fortunes following two years of underachievement.
Although the two-time Dally M Medal-winner is contracted to current club St Helens until the end of the campaign, his Bradford squad is already beginning to take shape.
Chris Nero’s departure was confirmed earlier this week after the centre refused the offer of a new contract, while transfer targets have been identified and several members of the current team are in negotiations to sign extended deals.
But whether under contract for next season or not, Godwin insists the pressure is on the players to prove themselves worthy of a place in Potter’s long-term plans.
“Mick Potter will be coming in and I know that’s next year but it’s given us a lift,” said the 28-year-old rake.
“Everyone can only speak as an individual and whatever motivates you, you need to find that for the rest of the season.
“Whether you’ve got a contract or you haven’t, you’ve got that motivation to perform and play well for the club, not just for yourself but for all your team-mates.
“We’re all getting frustrated with each other but we’re a close-knit group and we need to stay together through this.”
Having watched Potter guide St Helens to third in Super League this season despite an horrific run of injuries, Godwin is excited about what the Aussie can bring to Bradford.
Potter has successfully blended youth with experience to create a successful Saints side, bringing through young talent like Jamie Foster, Gary Wheeler and Shaun Magennis.
The Bulls boast their own crop of talented rookies and Godwin is confident they can come to the fore under the new regime.
He said: “Mick’s got a good record working well with the kids. It looks like he’s done a good job of that at Saints.
“We’ve got some cracking kids here and I’m sure he’ll work hard with them. He’ll bring his own coaching techniques and ideas to the club and his record speaks for itself.”
But Godwin also praised the efforts of acting head coach Lee St Hilaire, who stepped into the breach following Steve McNamara’s premature departure last month.
He said: “We’re all working hard for Lee. He’s got his own coaching skills and is working as hard as anyone to put things right.
“We have to repay him for that and also repay ourselves because this squad are all friends and we all want to work hard for each other.”
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