Rikki Sheriffe has learned to love the pressure.

At first he admits it was a bit of a shock. Arriving at Bradford last year from Harlequins, the 25-year-old winger hadn’t experienced anything like it.

Used to playing in front of crowds of less than 4,000 at the Twickenham Stoop, he suddenly had more than double that amount breathing down his neck inside the imposing Odsal cauldron, scrutinising his every move.

The transition has not always come easily but the Bradford-born star is determined not to shrink under the pressure.

Instead, it has helped him grow as a player and Sheriffe believes fans will be treated to an entirely different performer this season.

“I was happy to play every game last year in my first season, that was a big bonus,” he said.

“But it was tough coming from Quins, where the support’s not as big as it is at Bradford.

“It’s really noticeable when you’re out there playing. You could make a mistake down south and it maybe wasn’t as scrutinised as it is at Bradford.

“Now I feel like it comes as part and parcel of your job and it’s just about bouncing back from mistakes and not getting your head down. I’m learning all the time and it’s good being at a big club.

“You always want to better yourself as a player, so the pressure’s good. I felt the Bulls was the right place for me and it will be.

“I think this time round I’m going to be 100 per cent better than I was last year. It’ll show this year with a lot of us, not just myself. We can’t wait to get out there.”

Despite being an ever-present for the Bulls last season, Sheriffe remains modest about his achievements.

Knowing there are lessons to be learned, he has taken time to analyse his game, identify failings and work on solutions.

Another perfect attendance record in 2010 would be a feather in the cap but not enough to satisfy the former Halifax man’s desire for improvement.

Sheriffe said: “I think the next thing is to play every game again but better. You don’t like to say last year was a learning curve because you can’t take any season like that and I didn’t.

“But now that I can think back to it I can think ‘I’ll do this better’ and get the little things right. I can’t wait to get out there and show my team-mates for one and then show everyone else.

“With the experience of some of the players who’ve come in, the players we’ve already got and the coaching staff, I’m learning all the time. Everyone always wants to go bigger and better and that’s what we’re aiming to do.”

Sheriffe’s team-mates would also do well to bear last season in mind. The pain of becoming the first Bradford side to miss out on the Super League was significant and that setback still stings now.

But while those lessons will never be forgotten, Sheriffe draws more inspiration from the run of five straight wins at the end of the campaign – a hint of untapped potential at Odsal.

“At the end of the season, we went on a really good run and we didn’t want it to end,” he said.

“Everyone came into pre-season training buzzing and on a high, even though last season didn’t go as well for us, because we know how good we are and what we can do on the field. With the acquisition of the new players, that makes us even better.

“Last season’s disappointment could be used as a motivational tool but we don’t need to. We just know how good we are and we’re looking forward to the start of the new season.”

Underestimated by many critics, Sheriffe says the Bulls will be happy to come in under the radar. Reinforced by the arrival of six new signings, including Aussie star Matt Orford, he promises they will be a different proposition this time round.

“I think with what happened last year, the focus hasn’t been on us so much and we’ve just been able to get on with our jobs and I think we’ll show a few people this year,” said Sheriffe.

“The people we’ve signed are really professional blokes and can handle the pressure and still knuckle down in training. We’ve brought in some great people and it’s going to really enhance the squad.”