Olivier Elima has called on Bulls fans to play their part in a significant upset tomorrow.
Championship contenders Warrington visit Bradford and Elima insists effort on the terraces will be almost as important as exertions on the pitch.
The French back-rower, signed from Catalan Dragons during the winter, featured in his first Odsal derby against Leeds last week and was left stunned by the atmosphere.
Elima has witnessed nothing quite like it in his ten years as a professional and hopes to see that kind of intensity repeated throughout the season.
He said: “It was just absolutely great. When I came out and saw the stadium full and everyone screaming, it just gave me that buzz that allows you to do extra.
“All the boys didn’t do too bad and the supporters got behind us. That really helps and we’re really thankful to them.
“Hopefully they can keep coming week in, week out to help us because it is really good to have that buzz when you come out of the changing room into the stadium.
“When everyone’s screaming, it’s really impressive. That was my first derby and I was really impressed. I hope to see that again.”
A huge crowd of 19,275 watched the 30-22 defeat to Leeds but attendance has been up across the board this season.
The ‘Pledge 10,000’ scheme, which offered cut-price tickets to supporters, has caused crowds to soar to an average of almost 15,000 so far this year. Now Elima hopes the team can follow suit.
Improvement had stalled during a run of three straight defeats but belief was restored somewhat by an 8-8 draw against Catalan on Monday.
Elima said: “It is good when you’re improving. You take the good and try to get rid of the bad and that’s what we’re trying to do now.
“All we have to do is be strong mentally and keep believing in what we can do. Games like the ones over Easter will help us keep believing in ourselves even more. It’s still disappointing not to win but we will keep putting in the work.”
Meanwhile, Warrington are also eyeing an improvement. Following two straight 60-point wins, the Wolves slumped to a 24-10 home defeat against Hull FC on Easter Monday and Matt King insists they can afford no more slip-ups.
The former Aussie Test star made his first start since recovering from a serious knee injury and will undoubtedly be one of the visitors’ dangermen at Odsal.
He said: “Our attitude against Hull wasn’t where it needed to be. We did not defend in the way we know we can.
“We cannot afford to slip up twice again like we did against Catalan and Huddersfield earlier this month.
“The most disappointing thing about the Huddersfield defeat was that it came on the back of another loss.
“If you look at successful teams in the past, it is all about consistency, so in no way can we put in a bad performance against Bradford.
“As long as we get our performance as a team right, the result will take care of itself.”
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