Oldham look to up their game

OLDHAM aim to be faster out of the traps against Barrow on SUnday than in their last two games.

At Hemel Stags it was six points each after half an hour before Roughyeds got into their stride. There was another slow start at Newcastle Thunder, where the hosts led 10-4 at half-time only.

“In both games we were a little bit off the pace early on and it’s something we need to look at,” said coach Scott Naylor.

“We spoke about it at training last night. We need to get back to the performance level we reached in the wins against Keighley, York and Rochdale - and that means respecting our possession and working a little bit harder right from the start.”

In pursuit of their 11th win in a row, Oldham are at home to a side that desperately needs to win to get back into the top five and the play-offs. “It’s a massively important game for both clubs,” said Naylor.

“They beat us at Craven Park in the reverse fixture and they lost only 18-17 at Keighley last week, so they’ll be coming with confidence. It’s going to be another tough game.”

Danny Langtree, who took a blow to the ribs at Newcastle, will be fit, but young prop Elliott Liku didn’t train last night because of a sore shoulder. He will be reassessed later in the week.

Wingers Adam Clay and Jack Holmes, who have each missed the last two games, are expected to be fully fit and back in contention for the final home game of the season on September 6.