JOHN Kear reckons an early “kick up the backside” can benefit the Bulls in the long run.

His side are gearing up for Sunday’s tasty Odsal showdown with York as they continue the rivalry from the promotion campaign.

The Bulls are still sore from last week’s first defeat at Sheffield after opening the new season with two wins.

But Kear hopes that will prove a timely lesson as they continue to adjust to the increased demands of Championship life.

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He said: “Everybody perhaps got lulled into a false sense of security. Expectations went beyond realistic aims.

“But that has really chopped the legs from under us. We need to remain humble, continue to work hard and attempt to improve.

“If that’s what has come out of last Friday, in the long scheme of things it’s probably a good thing.”

It was a particularly painful night at the Olympic Legacy Park. Having started with two tries, they finished the game with just 11 men on the wrong end of 24 unanswered Sheffield points.

But the head coach is confident that lessons have been learned – and there will be no complacency going into the Knights clash.

“We’ve stepped up a level and everything had gone hunky-dory until then, including pre-season,” added Kear.

“It really did give us a kick up the backside and may well be one we needed.

“When we went 10-0 up, I sensed everyone thinking it would be a nice simple day at the office. It was anything but.

“We couldn’t get our hands on the ball to rectify things and it all fell apart with the sending-off, then sinbinning and the ill-discipline through penalties.

“You often learn more in defeat than you do in victory and there was a lot to learn from that one.”

Having played last Friday, the Bulls have had two extra days to prepare for round four and Kear has been pleased by the response.

“The training has been first class. They’ve had extra sessions with the nine-day turnaround and there’s been a real focus and intensity, so that’s pleasing.

“You haven’t got time to dwell on the last game. The day after we had a reserve game at Hunslet and that was very useful indeed.

“Sunday we went to York to have a look at them and then we’ve had a normal week, with obviously the extra couple of sessions.

“I feel we will be very well prepared for this coming weekend.”