Amid the banter and camaraderie at the Bulls’ training HQ at Tong this week came a voice of reason.

It was provided by Matt Diskin, a man with over ten years’ experience and four Super League titles to his name.

“We know how this club has performed in the past few years has been shocking, to be fair,” said the Dewsbury-born hooker.

“To be outside of the play-offs for the past three years is not acceptable.

“You look at the last couple of years and it’s been very disappointing – there are no excuses.

“It’s just been poor. Injuries haven’t helped that but they haven’t been the be-all and end-all.

“At the end of the day, we just didn’t perform.”

When Diskin speaks, it makes sense to listen.

In 2004 he helped Leeds to their first championship in 32 years and went on to taste Grand Final glory again in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Now, after a frustrating debut season at Odsal which saw a shoulder injury prematurely end his participation, he is determined to make up for lost time.

The problem blighted Diskin for much of the campaign and, although he played through the pain barrier for several months, he was eventually reduced to the sidelines.

Significantly, he is now approaching full fitness again and expects to be in full contact training within the next fortnight.

Diskin, 30 next month, explained: “I’ve been playing Super League for 12 years and haven’t had a shoulder injury in my whole career.

“To pick one up and to miss the end of the season, and to play the whole year basically with the injury, was very frustrating because I couldn’t contribute what I felt was a justified performance.

“For myself, next season is a chance to redeem that really and to really justify the confidence Bradford showed in signing me.

“Is there a belief we can do better? As a squad, as a team, as players, you’re always optimistic and wanting to strive for a better performance.”

While brutally honest about the need for improvement on last season, Diskin has no fears about the foundations of the club.

He said: “The culture at Bradford is good and the reasons for me leaving Headingley have been justified.

I’m enjoying my rugby again and playing with a smile on my face.

“Bradford has a good culture and some fantastic players. The long-term future of the club is secure because there is some real talent here.

“Adam O’Brien is a very talented young player and is the long-term solution for the club at hooker.

“He’s only going to benefit from spending time playing and learning from Heath (L’Estrange) and myself in the next couple of years.

“But you’ve got to look at the short-term and we’ve got to come up with some performances in 2012.”

Diskin has been buoyed by the Bulls’ six new signings and the fact that several players sidelined by injury last term are returning to full fitness.

He reasoned: “Players who were injured last year, myself included, are getting themselves fit again and that will certainly help performances. The squad is looking a lot stronger than last year.

“Luke Gale has come in at half-back, which is a position we needed to strengthen. Luke’s a quality player and I believe the influence he will have on the side will be paramount to how successful we will be next year.

“Jarrod Sammut is the type of player we’ve not had in our squad previous to this year. He’s one of those players who can come up with something special that nobody else can.

“It’s always fantastic to have those people in your side but, like I said, it’s now time for us to start performing.”