Potter bullish over chances

Bradford will relish the role of underdogs in Saturday's Challenge Cup fifth-round tie at Warrington, according to coach Mick Potter.

The Wolves are the 3/1 second favourites to reclaim the trophy they won at Wembley in 2009 and 2010 but Potter's Bulls defied the odds to beat both 2011 Grand Finalists Leeds and St Helens in Super League at home this season and, beaten just once away from home, he says they can spring another upset on the road.

"We have probably been in that mode because we have come from a low point in the last couple of seasons," he said.

"We are very much the underdogs as far as our standings in the competition go and what they have achieved in the past few years but that's probably good. We are a side that could trouble Warrington."

The Bulls have experienced an upturn in fortunes despite the financial cloud hovering over Odsal and Potter knows a first Wembley appearance for 15 years could provide a timely boost to the club's coffers.

"It would be great result for the club if we could win and it would take the club forward relatively quickly," he said.

"Everyone wants to get to finals and they are usually a long process but the Challenge Cup is a quick way of doing that by only having to play five games so we are certainly looking at making progress in this competition."

Bradford lost only 26-22 to Warrington in the quarter-finals two years ago and pushed them close in Super League earlier this year to give Potter cause for optimism.

"We competed with Warrington for 60-odd minutes but we need to do it for 80," he said. "You don't get any second chances with Warrington. They're a team that will play from their own tryline.

"They're dangerous and it takes a lot of effort and determination to compete with them for 80 minutes."

The Wolves have yet to find the form that saw them lift the League Leaders' Shield in 2011 but coach Tony Smith saw signs in last Sunday's 54-6 rout of Castleford that they are getting close to their best.

"Hopefully we can build on last week's performance," he said. "We went a long way towards fixing some areas in our defence that we needed to.

"I think that had an effect on the way we attacked because we looked a bit sharper with the ball.

"Bradford are a good team. They probably had their toughest time at the start of the year.

"They've been a tough team to beat. They've got a formula they play by and they do it pretty well. They're a hard-working team with a few dangerous players.

"They kick well and chase well and do a lot of little things well. We'll have to be somewhere near our best."