
They were on the wrong end of a record-breaking defeat last week – and John Kear insists he is preparing his Bradford side for a backlash on Sunday from a West Wales Raiders side who need patience and support to grow.
The Raiders head to Odsal off the back of a 144-0 loss at York – and without former coach Jon Ellis, who the club parted company with midweek, placing Phil Carleton in temporary charge.
But Kear told TotalRL that he believes the Raiders will be aiming to put in a performance to try and remedy the disaster of last Sunday at Bootham Crescent.
“You’re bound to get a reaction, aren’t you?” Kear said.
“They’re rugby players, and rugby players don’t like getting embarrassed. To concede 25 tries is a fair old hiding, and I’m certain that group will be wanting to ensure there’s no repetition. Throw in the coach has left too, and that’s another thing.”
Kear also believes the sport has to be patient with the Raiders – who he has credited for going about their new venture in the right way; by promoting and playing local Welsh players.
“I’ve a lot of admiration for Coventry, because they’re doing something similar in the Midlands,” he said.
“It’s part of the journey at the start, things like that, getting a hiding or two – but yo’ve got to be strong enough to keep the faith.
“There’s a lovely little parallel with Newcastle, who got whacked big style a few years ago but they stuck with the correct way of doing things and now they’re regularly competing for the top five. West Wales should take inspiration from that.”
The onus will perhaps be on Bradford to try and replicate what York did last weekend – but Kear has talked that down.
“It just gives everyone something to talk about, I guess,” he said.
“What we’re focussing on primarily is winning the game – after that, we’ll worry by how many once the game is won. I’m sure we’ll be facing a side with more spirit and desire than we saw last week at York.”
Joe Keyes has been rested by Kear as he deals with an ongoing back issue; Brandon Pickersgill or Elliot Minchella could replace him at half-back. Dalton Grant returns having missed last week’s game at Doncaster.