Jamie Foster column

Both this weekend’s Challenge Cup tie and next week’s trip to Salford are huge – and also great opportunities for us.

I’ve heard some people say ‘you just concentrate on trying to stay up’.

But growing up as a young lad, the Challenge Cup was massive and still is.

I’ve been to the old and new Wembley and it’s just a fantastic place to be.

I think if we could put ourselves in a position where we are only 80 minutes away from a Challenge Cup final, it would be unbelievable for the club.

It would also get a lot of fans back on board and be a massive step in the right direction.

Next week’s game against Salford will also be another huge one – but every match we play is hugely significant from now until the end of the season.

We have got to concentrate on putting in the best performances we can and if we do that then we will definitely give ourselves a good chance of staying up.

There is no doubt about that.

I was left out last week but all the best teams in any sport, not just rugby league, have strength in depth.

That has been almost unheard of for Bradford over the last couple of years. We’ve had a good group of about 18 players but not much else.

Now though, things are starting to turn and we have a number of young lads who are training well and keen to play.

The senior blokes are fighting it out for these spots week in and week out, so that competition has come at a good time because we need it.

If you turn up every week knowing you’re going to get picked regardless, it’s just not healthy for the team and we understand that as players.

I’ve been around for four or five years now and I’ve played my best rugby when I’ve been challenged every week.

For me personally, 2010 and 2011 were my best years and was when Ade Gardner and I were battling it out for one spot.

I’ve got a similar challenge now at Bradford and am working hard to regain my spot, so hopefully Franny sees that.