LEGENDARY former Bulls coach Brian Noble believes squad rotation will be all important next season as Jimmy Lowes’ men seek a Super League return.

The Bulls must finish in the top four of the Championship to qualify for the Super Eight play-offs.

The top four in the second tier then face the bottom four Super League sides to contest the right for a top-flight place in 2016.

With Lowes having assembled a full-time squad of 29 players, Noble reckons Lowes will need to carefully manage his troops with the Super Eight play-offs in mind.

“First and foremost you’ve got to finish in that top four – that has to be your goal,” said Noble, who remains the most successful coach in Super League history following his glorious spell at Odsal.

“You need that balance, blend and understanding of where you are at during the season.

“That is going to be massively important – resting people at the right times in the season but you need everybody fresh and fired up for those Super Eight games.

“Jimmy has got the numbers and the competition for all positions, which is important.

“I think deep down he will know his best starting line-up and perhaps there might only be two or three positions he is yet to decide on.

“But it comes back to that crucial point – they have to get ready for those Super Eight games and at the same time, and this is where the pressure is, to maintain their position in the top four.

“But with 29 good players, Jimmy has the ability to roll players around.”

Noble, a proud Bradfordian who will always have the Bulls in his heart, also believes the supporters can play a key role next term.

Over 2,000 season tickets have been sold for 2015 and Noble added: “Now I think if the fans can rock up again for this season then you would hope the club can come straight back up.

“There are no guarantees, of course, because of the formula of this new structure but if Jimmy’s team are healthy and in the right place, which they should be, then they have every chance, for sure.”