JOE Keyes insists that confidence is not an issue for the Bulls but believes the team is in a "bad place" after four consecutive losses.

Bradford, beaten 52-16 by Sheffield Eagles at the weekend, are still on minus two points at the foot of the Championship table with nine games of the league season to play.

But Swinton Lions' shock victory over Toulouse Olympique means the Bulls are now eight points adrift of safety when it comes to avoiding relegation via the additional seven games of the Championship Shield.

Irish international Keyes, who kicked two goals against Sheffield, said: "It's not ideal and it's not where we want to be – but that is where we are. We have been in bad places before and hopefully we will come back stronger.

"I wouldn't say confidence is an issue. We have been through a lot together and we need to start pulling together a bit and going from there."

Keyes admitted the performance against Sheffield had "not been good enough in certain areas" but felt the absence of a game this coming weekend will help preparations for the visit of London Broncos on May 21.

"We haven't got a game so we are going to rip in this week in training, review where it went wrong and try and fix it up," said the Bulls half-back.

"We need to be a lot better. It's down to us defending and turning the ball over, not on our terms. It's something we need to get better at – and completing sets, not giving them as much field possession."

The Broncos will arrive at Odsal on the back of four consecutive league victories and Keyes, who started his career with the London club, said: "We have shown this year that we can beat big teams and that's what we will be looking to do again.

"It is one that we will have to get up for but I am sure we will get things right this week."