Cougars chief Jason Demetriou has warned there will be no more Mr Nice Guy when his side host neighbours Bradford Bulls tomorrow night (7.30pm).

As he prepares to make his Keighley debut against the Super League side, the Aussie admits his players face a fight for their own places.

Although the rookie head coach remains confident ahead of next week’s Northern Rail Cup opener against Rochdale, pre-season has so far brought mixed results.

Disappointed by the Cougars’ attacking execution in last week’s trial match against Hunslet, he expects a strong response against a Bradford side set to include Vinny Finigan, Jason Crookes, Cain Southernwood and Steve Crossley – all players with Super League experience.

“We’re doing a lot of things really well but when we’re getting into the final third we have been panicking a little bit,” said Demetriou.

“It’s a problem in the way we’re executing our plays. When we are getting into the final third, too often we’re moving the ball from side to side rather than sticking to the systems I’m trying to teach.

“It’s about discipline really. “We’ve been ‘nicey, nicey’ about it but they have to stick to what we’re asking of them and, if they don’t, they won’t be playing in next week’s Northern Rail Cup game against Rochdale.

“The players are working hard enough but rather than going into games thinking about scoring points and man-of-the-match performances, I want them to concentrate on the systems.

“If they do that, they will get results.”

Demetriou’s return to action after knee surgery has not come a moment too soon. Cougars have received a blow with the news prop Jonny Simpson will likely be out of action for four to five months and back-rower Anthony Henderson will sit out the entire campaign due to knee reconstruction surgery.

But Demetriou remains confident his squad is strong enough to cope with the loss of the two winter signings.

He said: “It’s disappointing for them but the fortunate thing is we have a heap of front and back-rowers who can cover for them.

“Ryan Benjafield should be back very soon and James Haythornthwaite is also close to returning.

“I’m also ready to go now. I’m as fit as a 35-year-old can be and I’m looking forward to it.”

Cougars host a Bulls side that has scored 96 points in two pre-season games so far, providing a stern test of their sturdy defence.

Demetriou added: “The attitude of the players has been first class.

“Defensively we were outstanding and plenty of times against Hunslet they couldn’t get out of their 30.

“We were catching the ball on our 40 because our defence was solid and our kick pressure was good.

“It’s a good test playing against pro players and I’m sure they’ll be sending down a mix of players who have played Super League and talented young players.

“But the focus is still on us and what we need to do to make sure we’re ready for the Rochdale game.”