Potter must rediscover magic formula at Bradford Bulls to match Catalan success (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Spirit of Mick Potter’s time as Catalan coach now needed to lift Bradford Bulls out of their slumber

6:30am Saturday 4th February 2012 in Bulls By Ross Heppenstall

Mick Potter was asked about his future during the latest members’ forum at Odsal on Thursday.

His contract expires at the end of 2012 and it remains to be seen whether he will be offered an extension – or wish to sign one.

“I’d certainly consider it but it will depend on results,” said the Bulls coach diplomatically ahead of tomorrow’s season-opener at home to Catalan Dragons.

“I like working at Bradford and I love doing the job. There isn’t many of them in the world.”

As Potter said himself, much will depend on his ability to fashion a winning formula in the coming months.

Bradford need to re-establish themselves in the play-offs this year and, amid talk of his future, Potter can look to his past for inspiration.

I’m proud of the way the (Catalan) players performed during my time there

Mick Potter

For it was at Catalan that the Bradford boss made his name following their introduction to Super League in 2006.

Potter enjoyed no little success with the French outfit, steering them to the 2007 Challenge Cup final and being named Super League coach of the year in 2008.

Ahead of tomorrow’s clash with his old club, Potter said: “I think a lot of the credit goes to the players who were there during my time.

“They shed blood and sweat out on the field and the administration side of the club certainly had a lot to do with the sort of players that were going out onto the field.

“They should take a lot of credit for that but I’m proud of the way the players performed during my time there.

“We weren’t sure how the travel was going to affect players or how we would go about doing things. It was a learning curve for a lot of people in a lot of different ways.”

Potter’s men will face Bradford-born stand-off Leon Pryce, who spoke to the Bulls about a return to Odsal before accepting a three-year deal to play for Catalan.

Potter, who coached Pryce for two years at St Helens, said: “Leon would certainly look better in a Bulls jumper but at this stage of his career, that sort of change will probably recharge his batteries.

“By his own standards, he probably didn’t have the season he wanted to at St Helens last year.

“This change might just spark him up and he’s certainly still a very good rugby league player. He will cause all sorts of problems for every team he faces this season.

“But this is about what we do. We know we need to improve and we’re working hard to ensure that – starting this weekend.

“Tomorrow will come down to which team is the most determined and comes up with the best plays.”

Potter, meanwhile, reserved special praise for Phil Joseph after the former Swinton prop was awarded a one-year deal.

He said: “This is a story about what you can achieve when you are driven. Phil has done really well in pre-season and his fitness is improving all the time. “He’s come from playing part-time, so he’s like a new young guy coming into the squad and is very enthusiastic and wants to do well and improve all the time.

“He’s in his mid-20s but he’s very driven and I’m looking forward to seeing how he progresses throughout the year.”