ROHAN Smith admits the Bulls have "a spring in their step" as they prepare for tomorrow's crunch clash at home to derby rivals Halifax.

Smith's men host Richard Marshall's side aiming to record their fourth straight Championship win after three in eight days last week.

That sequence of victories has lifted Bradford to third and left them well placed to secure a top-four finish ahead of the all-important middle eights.

"We have had some good performances lately and the boys have got a spring in their step," said Smith.

"We focused hard on recovery between the three games last week and, after the Batley match, most of the players had two days off and a couple had three in order to get themselves ready for this weekend.

"We have been implementing some different strategies around recovery and rejuvenation in the last month or so to enable us to have that spring in our step on game day, which is when it matters."

Smith is still trying to work out his best 17 and find the right blend between defence and attack.

He admits there is still much to do from an attacking point of view, with Lewis Charnock's loan from St Helens due to expire shortly.

Lucas Walshaw has joined Dewsbury on a one-month loan deal, following Johnny Campbell's temporary switch to the Cougars for the same length of time.

Smith said: "I've had many arguments over the years about defence and attack. I think you need to be good at both to win the really big games and it's pleasing that we have been quite hard to break down.

"Even in the recent Workington fixture, we had an extremely low number of missed tackles.

"Against Oldham, we barely missed a tackle and our attack is something we still have to work on.

"We've lacked cohesion and we haven't had a consistent team in place, which is one contributory factor.

"I myself have been adjusting to the existing structures but I think we made a little bit of progress against Batley last week.

"We attacked quite well and didn't quite execute on the back of it – but I think we are on the right track."

The Bulls will mark Armed Forces day tomorrow with military vehicles, an assault course and a curtain-raising match between the Army rugby league team and Scotland Warriors.

Smith, who will hand debuts to loanees Joe Philbin and Stuart Howarth, said: "They are all big games now and it's an opportunity to do what you love to do as a player and perform well, especially at home.

"With the Armed Forces tributes, it's going to be a great day all round. Both teams have a lot to play for."