MARK Dunning reckons the Bulls could be sitting on a perfect record in the Championship right now.

His side head towards Sunday’s derby showdown at Keighley well placed in fourth following their latest win over Sheffield.

It has been a satisfying start to the campaign for Dunning, particularly at Odsal, but he feels they could have had more.

“Coaches are never fully pleased,” he said. “I still think we should be up there with maybe six from six.

“We really let ourselves down at York, which has gone, and we did at Featherstone as well. We feel we should have come away with something there.

“But if you told me this before the season started, I’d be content.

“The exciting thing for me is the progression we’ve got left in us. We’re still developing as a group even though we’re six rounds in.

“We’re still missing key individuals that will slot back in. Once we’re healthy again and the combinations have got a little bit more tweak in them, I’m excited to see where this group can go.”

The Bulls will again be without Michael Lawrence, Brad England and Jack Walker at Cougar Park and Bodene Thompson remains a big doubt with concussion protocols. But Dunning insists nobody is looking for excuses.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Bulls are fourth in the Championship after six gamesBulls are fourth in the Championship after six games (Image: Tom Pearson)

“It’s a different mentality in this group this year. We accept any challenge we’re given, we don’t whinge and moan about it.

“Adversity happens in rugby league and whether it happens on the field or off it, we’ll deal with it accordingly and do our very best.”

The Bulls make the short trip to Keighley for the first time since winning 14-12 in a Challenge Cup fourth-round tie in March 2019.

George Flanagan, who scored one of their two tries that day, and David Foggin-Johnston are the only players still at the club from then.

Dunning added: “We all loved the Leeds/Bradford derbies of yesteryear but until we can get that back, Keighley will have to do and we’re really looking forward to it.

“Local derbies are local derbies and I’m not a coach that tells people not to play with passion and pride. It’s about channelling it in the right way.

“We’ll go there knowing what it means to Keighley, but more importantly what it means to the people standing on the terraces here who pay their hard-earned money to follow us.

“I’ll make sure the players are under no illusions what derby week means and we’ll be ready to go.”