Bradford Bulls must be quick out of the blocks (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford Bulls must be quick out of the blocks

8:00am Thursday 14th February 2013 in Sport By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter

Jamie Foster has called on his Bulls team-mates to make amends for their defeat at Hull when they take on Castleford at Odsal on Saturday

Jamie Foster has warned the Bulls they can ill afford another slow start as they bid to return to winning ways against Castleford this weekend.

Francis Cummins’ men slumped to their first defeat of the season when losing 28-12 at Hull FC on Sunday.

Hull began with aggression and purpose, leading through a third-minute try from former Bulls winger Jason Crookes which laid the platform for their victory.

Foster has called on the Bulls to make amends in Saturday’s televised home clash as they go in search of a second successive home win.

“Castleford are a tricky team and the last thing we want on Saturday is to come in at half-time and think ‘we’ve not started well’,” he said.

“We need to start games better than we did on Sunday and I think that’s a big thing for us this year.

“We can’t be giving teams 12 points like we did at Hull because you end up chasing the game and that makes you do things you don’t really want to do.

“We slipped up at Hull but it’s only 80 minutes and we can easily turn that around. We’ve trained well this week and we’ll be ready to take on Castleford on Saturday.”

Former St Helens man Foster could line up on the left wing against Ian Millward’s side, with a knee injury sustained at the KC Stadium all but certain to reduce Michael Platt to the sidelines.

Millward’s men defeated defending champions Leeds last weekend and their spirits will be high going into Saturday’s clash.

But Foster is confident the Bulls are ready to recapture their best form after revealing the anguish that had been caused by the Hull defeat.

“We’re not happy with any kind of loss – it’s not that kind of club any more,” said the 22-year-old goal-kicker.

“Things have changed and there were a lot of disappointed people in that dressing room on Sunday.

“It was very quiet at full-time and I’ve not experienced that kind of atmosphere for quite a while.

“You could tell people were disappointed and the senior blokes here – and the younger ones – have set new targets.

“We don’t want to be a mid-table team, we’re hungry for success, and Franny has definitely got us all pulling in the same direction.

“I think it will pay off pretty soon – starting this weekend against Castleford.”