Steve McNamara has called upon the Bulls' 18th man - their own supporters - to help transform KC Stadium into a "graveyard" tonight.

Bradford head to Hull chasing a fifth victory in six games against opponents who languish second-bottom in Super League.

But boss McNamara reckons that lowly position is misleading and the Black and Whites cannot be written off, especially backed by their vociferous and fanatical home support.

"For me the KC is the best stadium in the competition and it's always difficult to play there," he said.

"If Hull start strong, start playing well and their confidence comes back, then they are a tough side to beat.

"You have to go there, start well yourselves and silence that crowd - you have to get the crowd on THEIR backs if you can.

"Then you can try and turn that potential cauldron of an atmosphere into a graveyard. If you can do that, you give yourself a chance."

That's where the Bulls' travelling contingent comes into its own, according to the former Hull player.

McNamara said: "I hope we see a lot of Bradford fans there. I sometimes wonder if they realise just what a difference they make when they get behind us. Our away support has been tremendous and it's getting like that at home.

"We need the crowd with us because this is a very difficult game - tough in terms of the players we can put on the pitch and still with key players missing - but we are fighting hard to get through to the other side.

"If they stick with us, come along and support, then it makes it a lot better and a lot easier for us. They are vital."

McNamara praised the club's small but hugely vocal away support for the role they played during a hard-fought win in Perpignan last month and he expects tonight to be a similarly close affair.

The Bulls are still without Glenn Morrison, Joe Vagana, Terry Newton, Tame Tupou and Michael Platt and have fitness doubts over a couple of other players in the 19-man squad.

Injury-ravaged Hull have picked up just two victories so far but earned a morale-boosting draw in France themselves last week and McNamara reckons they are close to turning the corner.

He pays no attention to their league standing, saying: "I wouldn't even look at the table as far as Hull are concerned. I think they are a superb side.

"Almost all their strike players are back - Gareth Raynor, Kirk Yeaman, Motu Tony, Willie Manu, Richard Horne - and they have been able to bring in Jamie Thackray, who carries the ball strongly, to play alongside Ewan Dowes, who is also back for them.

"Shaun Berrigan is playing well and is a very important player for Hull too. All their strike players - the ones who can post points on the board - are there.

"They have been doing it tough with injuries and yes, they have a few players out, but looking at their 19-man squad it is still a very good group they have available for tonight.

"We had a confidence-boosting win over Cas last week and it was good to play some free-flowing rugby but we're not getting carried away.

"As a coaching staff, this is the game that concerns us after the Easter period with it being the fourth in 15 days and we haven't been able to roll players around. But there's no complaints and we're going there to get the job done."

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