LEE Gaskell admits it is vital the Bulls hit the ground running in the Super 8s as they look to give themselves the best possible chance of promotion.

Jimmy Lowes' men have been handed an encouraging start to their campaign with a home clash against Sheffield followed by a trip to Super League's bottom side Wakefield.

The Bulls then face Salford and Widnes at Odsal in successive games, with three of their opening four matches on home soil.

Gaskell is encouraged by the run of fixtures but stressed the importance of getting off to a flying start and pointed to the harsh lesson of last season's disastrous campaign which ended in relegation.

The playmaker, who represented the Bulls during yesterday's Super 8s launch at Media City in Salford, said: "It would be massive to win those first two games and we will be coming up with a game-plan to achieve that.

"You don't want to be going into week three or week four playing catch-up and chasing games because there is nothing more frustrating.

"That happened last season when we were stuck in a relegation battle and got off to a bad start. After eight or nine rounds, we knew the inevitable would happen and it's not a nice feeling.

"We want to get two wins in those opening two games to help lay a platform."

Gaskell has fully recovered from the broken jaw which saw him miss the last eight games of the regular season.

He is now raring to go and believes the Bulls have an outstanding opportunity to win promotion, given that four of their seven games are on their own patch.

"Our fanbase is huge – and full credit to our supporters because they have been fantastic at home and away," said Gaskell.

"We've been taking over 2,000 fans to away games and it's fantastic as a player when you run out on the field and you hear them singing.

"It gives you an extra buzz and that's what you want; to be playing in front of big crowds. We've got four home games now and we want to take advantage of that."

New signing Dane Nielsen is due to arrive shortly to bolster a Bulls squad also strengthened by the recent acquisition of Omari Caro, James Clare and Matt Ryan.

Gaskell is excited about the prospect of playing alongside former State of Origin star Nielsen.

"There is so much potential in this squad but we've just got to believe in ourselves and our mentality has got to be right," he said.

"Dane Nielsen was playing State of Origin for Queensland a couple of years ago and there is no bigger stage than that.

"It's fantastic for the club and a massive boost as a player when you see someone like him coming into the squad.

"As a half-back as well, he's the sort of player you want to playing outside and when you spot him in the corner of your eye in the changing room, it fills you with belief.

"It gives you confidence because you know he can do something special – but from one to 17, we're going to have to be switched on week in and week out.

"On a personal level, I've played in a Grand Final for Saints and made over 100 appearances in Super League. That will stand me in good stead for what lies ahead and these are the type of games you want to play in.

"I can only imagine how many people will turn up for the Halifax game on September 27, particularly if we have already won promotion or if it's all to play for in that game. Bring it on."