HOMEGROWN Joe Lumb is desperate to make his mark as the Bulls try to rebuild after the "worst possible pre-season".

The new club are playing catch-up on and off the field as they fight to salvage a place in the Championship.

Defeats in the first two games have highlighted the huge obstacle of the 12-point deduction. But Lumb is adamant fortunes will turn – and he hopes to be in the thick of it.

The young hooker said: "The numbers aren't big at the moment but we can definitely be competitive. We just need time together.

"We had the worst possible pre-season you could have imagined. We got told we didn't have jobs. But it's happened; been and gone now.

"Unfortunately for us, everyone else has had a pre-season and we haven't. Although the majority of us have been training together, as a team we've been thrown together at the last minute.

"Our gelling together has had to start from the Hull KR game onwards. We'll come strong but it might be four or five games in. We're still learning, still gelling as a team. We've got a lot to overcome – but we will improve."

Lumb is likely to see plenty of game-time after his first year in the senior ranks was disrupted by a knee injury against Batley.

The arrival of Sam Hallas on loan from Leeds Rhinos means the former West Bowling product is sharing the number nine duties.

Lumb said: "I think Sam's a good little grafter who's going to keep me on my toes and make sure I don't lose my spot. We do complement each other and we're both going to do half a game while he is here.

"My injury halfway through last year stopped me getting back in the team. Stu (Stuart Howarth) and Adds (Danny Addy) were above me, so I didn't really get the opportunities I want.

"It's nice to be starting for Bradford. It's what I want to do and where I want to be. Hopefully I can keep hold of the shirt and make it my own and get some more minutes under my belt."

Sunday's trip to Swinton presents another opportunity to start chipping away at that huge points deficit. The Bulls blew their chance against Rochdale in the home opener with a performance riddled with errors in tough, wintry conditions.

Lumb admitted: "It was very cold and a few lads struggled with it. It wasn't ideal for rugby league – there wasn't one set when we didn't have a fumble or something. I made sure I got my hands on the snow as soon as I came out for the warm-up to get used to it.

"It was a game ruined by the weather and you couldn't see the best of either team. But that's not an excuse. We made errors we shouldn't have done and didn't complete our sets – that's down to us.

"I don't think we're far away and it will have to come game-by-game. KR are the big test in this league but we got that out of the way early. We're here now and need to just pick things up and go from there each week."