STEVE Crossley is seeing double with the Bulls’ League One promotion push.

John Kear’s side will take a massive step towards securing top spot if they emerge unscathed from their next two games against Hunslet and closest challengers York.

Warhorse Crossley is in familiar territory after winning the division with Toronto last season. And he admits it is just as tough once again being the team that everybody wants to beat.

Crossley said: “We are the Toronto Wolfpack of Championship One last year. We’ve got a big target on our back, we’re Bradford Bulls and have got one of the best histories in rugby league – that’s why teams up their game against us.

“But we’ve got to stay focused and make sure we win promotion at the end of the season.

“There are some decent teams – it’s not the runaway league that a lot of people thought it would be. I know that very well after having to play in it last year.

“It was tough work then and this time is exactly the same.

“Some people disrespect this league and they shouldn’t.

“You get a few at the bottom maybe who are still developing because they are not real rugby league places.

“But the majority in this league are good teams and make it tough for you.”

An 11-game winning run has kept the Bulls two points clear of York – with Sunday’s opponents Hunslet one of three teams locked six points further back.

Kear is making sure the players do not get ahead of themselves but Crossley says they are well aware of the significance of the approaching games.

“We’re taking it week by week but obviously we know that York is the biggie,” he added.

“It’s a good test but then there is another one on Sunday against a strong Hunslet team.

“We’re coming up against the big boys now. We’ve played everyone once and we’ve had a couple we’ve played again and managed to get two ticks.

“We’ll be looking to keep adding them up against the rest of the teams in the league.

“Hunslet have been going well. We’ve also had them in the cup and we know they are a good team.

“John’s been watching them recently as well and knows to expect another good battle at their place. We’ll be ready for that.”

The Bulls warmed up with a 24-4 win over Newcastle – the first time they had failed to break the 50-point barrier at home since the end of March. Crossley, who was back in the pack after being given a breather against Coventry, had not anticipated another free-scoring encounter.

He said: “We knew it wouldn’t be a big scoreline against them.

“We hadn’t prepared for it to be a runaway game. We knew it would be tight, we had to complete our sets, kick well and work hard to come out the right way in the end.

“There was a little bit of grubbiness in there on Newcastle’s behalf but we’ve come to expect that in this league.

“We tried our best not to let that distract us and we still got that win. That’s all that counts.

“Nobody comes to Odsal and gets an easy ride. That’s something we stress quite massively.

“It’s our home and we certainly don’t let anyone put one over us at ours.”