GEOFF Toovey admits the Bulls could be fitter – but insists concentration levels will be the key to claiming a vital victory over Rochdale Hornets.

The Aussie officially became Bradford's head coach this week and now has 13 games remaining this season to guide his side to Kingstone Press Championship safety.

With the Bulls still rooted on minus two points and eight adrift of their nearest rivals, it is a daunting task.

Yet Toovey has this week stressed his belief that there is plenty of time left for the basement side to pull off a great escape – and he feels mental strength will help the Bulls achieve it.

"Concentration under fatigue is a big issue," he said ahead of tomorrow's trip to face the eighth-placed Hornets.

"We all know the theories of rugby league, whether it be me or the 20th man, but applying those under pressure and under fatigue is a different situation.

"So we need to learn to do that better and we need to learn to perform under stress and exhaustion as well.

"I think last weekend's defeat (to Featherstone) was more to do with concentration levels and emotional levels, rather than the physicality of the players.

"We didn't have a pre-season because of the club going into liquidation, so they missed out there and only trained for a month leading up to the competition proper.

"In between that they had a big period when the receivers were here and nothing was done. So they're as fit as they can be, that's for sure, but it's very hard to make that up during the season as well.

"We're like most of the other teams in the competition – we just need to improve our mental application to overcome that lack of physicality."

Toovey continued: "We certainly need to be more consistent. We've shown through the year that we can beat some of the best sides – or at least give them a good run for their money.

"But unfortunately we can't back it up week to week, or realistically from half to half, so we're going to need to find that consistency.

"It's so important that we play consistent football. We saw that last week when we were up at half-time and capitulated in the second half.

"We know we've got the ability – it's just having that patience and that tenacity to go for 80 minutes which we need to do, whether that be against Rochdale tomorrow or Hull KR further down the track."

Rochdale, who have won fewer league games than the Bulls this campaign, are likely to be one of the sides battling to remain above Toovey's men come the end of the season.

The former Manley Sea Eagles boss is keen for his line-up to land an important initial blow before the division splits at the end of July.

"They're all big games for us from now on – there's nothing bigger than the next game," said Toovey.

"It's vital for us to get a win, just to get that monkey off our backs, because that minus two has been hanging around for a couple of months now.

"It just seems to be a bit of a hoodoo. Once we get over that hurdle, we can set some new goals and go on from there.

"Rochdale are in a very similar situation to us. They're a solid team without being exceptional. They have a good pack of forwards and solid backs, so they will really give us a good contest, for sure.

"I'd be lying if I said victories over these teams around us won't help when we play them again. Of course it's important to win those games – it gives you confidence and a bit of kudos over them.

"It's not the be-all and end-all though, because if you don't turn up the next time you'll get your pants pulled down."

On finally being granted a visa this week after a five-month delay, Toovey added: "The players are fine, there's certainly no difference there.

"It's mainly given the club, the supporters and the sponsors some confidence going forward that the club is here for the long-term and I'm sure it will be."