JIMMY Lowes insists he has never lost faith in his players during a "rollercoaster" season which could culminate in the Bulls winning promotion today.

Lowes takes his team to Wakefield in the Million Pound Game aiming to seal an immediate return to Super League following last season's disastrous campaign.

The legendary former Bradford hooker and his players have come under fire at times after a number of stuttering displays during the regular Championship season and four thumping defeats in the Qualifiers.

Yet Lowes will pick from a full-strength squad today and send out a side he believes is capable of beating the Wildcats and performing when it matters most.

The head coach: "The fact we are in this game is all down to what the players have done this year.

"I said right at the start it would be a rollercoaster and the players have come in for some unfair criticism throughout the year when we have underperformed or when the performances haven't been brilliant.

"But we've always had faith that we would be able to challenge in the middle eights and these guys have put themselves in a great position to challenge for a place in Super League. I'd be thrilled for these boys if they did that.

"It would be nice to go straight back up without the nervousness and so much being on this one game – because there is so much on it.

"After we beat Salford in the Qualifiers, we failed to capitalise on it and that was the result of the guys not playing high-level competition week in and week out and being able to sustain that level.

"We did it for 40 minutes against Widnes and Hull KR but we were always going to fall off because we have not played at that level this season.

"That's probably one of the big advantages Wakefield have got because they have been playing at that higher level, certainly in the lead up to the middle eights."

The Bulls effectively surrendered any hope of home advantage by resting nine players for last week's visit of Halifax and falling to a heavy defeat which left them in fifth spot.

Yet a travelling army of at least 2,500 will march on Belle Vue this afternoon and Lowes said: "It's a one-off game and the only advantage is that their dressing room is bigger than ours, so I'm not particularly fussed where it's played.

"It's a field with some rugby posts on but we'll have 2,500 Bradford fans there getting behind us.

"We have talked a lot about the previous game at Wakefield in the Qualifiers (Bradford lost 48-18) and why it panned out the way it did.

"These guys want to challenge themselves not just at places like Headingley, Wigan and St Helens but against the best players in the country.

"We all strive to play and work at that level. Wakefield have got that at the moment and if they win they will keep that Super League status.

"But we've also got a lot of players lacking in big-game experience and some young blokes who have had tough starts to their careers at Bradford with regards to what has happened in the last couple of years.

"Relegation hurt a lot and it has taken a lot of getting over. It's more down to me and the more experienced blokes to nurture the younger players ahead of this game."

Lowes admits there will be nerves aplenty ahead of kick-off and is hoping the travelling supporters can make a difference.

He added: "Your true supporters will stay with you and we've got a good fanbase.

"Leeds are the same and, irrelevant of what the struggles might be, they are true supporters and they stick with you through thick and thin.

"Having such a big following can give you a lift but it can make you a little bit more nervous as well. It will be whoever manages the occasion best."