PUTTING an 80-minute performance together.

It is an oft-used phrase from Bulls players when asked to sum up the team’s form this season.

There was a fine first-half display at Leigh on the opening day, a second-half comeback against Halifax on Good Friday and a stirring effort for the first hour against Hull KR in the Challenge Cup.

But there is a nagging feeling that Jimmy Lowes’ men have generally struggled to find top gear for the full game.

Ahead of tomorrow’s crunch visit of Sheffield Eagles, Jay Pitts said: “We need to put in a solid 80-minute performance.

“It’s not even about laying a marker down to anybody else – it’s about doing it for ourselves.

“We know we’re a good team and we’ve showed it in parts this season.

“We’ve just got to find a way to do it consistently and cut out the silly errors and penalties.

“Hopefully we can put together an 80-minute performance against Sheffield because it’s a massive game.

“We’re still relatively new as a team but things are getting better and better, even though it sometimes doesn’t look like they are.

“We’re getting to know each other more and we’re a good bunch of lads, which can only put us in good stead going further forward.”

For Pitts, who is enjoying an outstanding season in the back row, it is about sticking to the game-plan and not switching off, especially after the Bulls conceded seven tries during last week’s win at Doncaster.

The former Wakefield, Leeds and Hull man admitted: “It came as a bit of a shock to us that we weren’t on our game as much as we should have been.

“We will definitely have to be better defensively against Sheffield than we were at Doncaster.

“We all know that because we were off our game quite a bit.

“We’ve worked hard this week to get back to where we should be.

“Sheffield have been going alright and will be pushing for the top four come the end of the season.

“They’ve got some good ball players and some good structures.

“We’ve just got to make sure that we are on our game defensively to shut them down.”

The hope for Lowes and his players is that the Bulls will gradually peak in time for the Super Eights, when their promotion hopes will be decided.

Pitts is confident their best is yet to come and points to the availability of men such as Matty Blythe, who is now fit again after injury.

Pitts said: “It’s a big squad and nobody knows what the best 17 is because there isn’t a best 17 – there are that many players who can play in every position.

“It’s very competitive, which is what you need and is only going to bring the best out in everyone.

“Matty Blythe is a good player, really energetic, and very skilful too.

“He will definitely be knocking on the door to get someone’s spot, so everyone has to make sure they are on top of their game.

“He got man of the match for Oxford on his comeback last week, which showed what a good player he is.”

Pitts’ place in the team seems assured on the basis on his form so far this season and he recently scored for five games running.

“Is this the best form of my career? Quite possibly,” he said.

“I think if you’re enjoying your rugby then you tend to play well.

“I’m close to home, I enjoy socialising with the lads, and I enjoy coming to work.”