Bulls chairman Peter Hood believes the time to judge Mick Potter’s reign will come midway through 2012.

Potter endured a tough first season as Bradford head coach as the club finished tenth in Super League and missed out on the play-offs for the third year running.

Despite some notable highs, such as thumping Huddersfield at Odsal and beating arch rivals Leeds at Headingley for the first time in four years, 2011 was a miserable, injury-ravaged campaign as key players were reduced to the sidelines for long periods.

But with the benefit of a full pre-season behind him, and bolstered by the acquisition of several new signings, Hood is confident that Potter can engineer a significant upturn in fortunes during 2012.

Manase Manuokafoa will miss the start of the season, and the Bulls slipped to defeat in their opening friendly at Castleford on Boxing Day, yet senior players such as Heath L’Estrange, Matt Diskin and Nick Scruton are returning to full fitness and Potter has a number of talented youngsters at his disposal.

How the Bulls perform in the coming months could effectively determine whether they will look to extend Potter’s contract, which expires at the end of 2012.

Hood said: “This is year two of two for Mick and I think the time when you can legitimately make a judgement about a head coach is probably halfway between season two.

“This is Mick Potter’s squad now, without any shadow of a doubt. It has had a full pre-season and, if you like, the die is cast.

“You’ve got to be optimistic about this squad when you look at the depth and the quality that we now have. Any assessment of this squad would say that it’s going to do well in 2012, if not very well.” Potter left his previous club St Helens at the end of his two-year deal, having led them to two successive Grand Finals.

Whether the Bulls will offer him a contract extension – or indeed if Potter will want to stay beyond this season – remains to be seen.

The 48-year-old has previously stated a desire to coach in the NRL but Hood remains open-minded about the future.

And he has no doubts that the Australian, who led Catalan to the Challenge Cup final in 2007 and was named Super League coach of the year in 2008, will preside over a far better campaign than last year.

Hood said: “Just because a contract is ending, it doesn’t mean the relationship might not continue. If we’re winning, everyone’s happy.

“I’m sure Mick is very happy here, I’m sure his wife is very happy here and I think he’s enjoying it hugely.

“It’s a big challenge and I guess any head coach in any sport is constantly looking for that challenge.

“Mick has that here and I’m sure he’s very excited and very motivated, along with the players and staff around him.”