Fax there to be beaten, but we must believe, says Spencer

Jack Spencer will come up against some former team-mates at Bower Fold tomorrow.

OLDHAM’S home form will be severely tested in the next 16 days with visits to Bower Fold by Halifax, Batley Bulldogs and Sheffield Eagles.

It kicks off tomorrow when Roughyeds face a Halifax side that will include former Oldham men Miles Greenwood and Ben Heaton, under the tutelage of last season’s Championship coach of the year, Richard Marshall.

By their own high standards ’Fax have had an indifferent start, but that will make them all the more determined to knock over the Championship new boys, who will need to be at their best to pick up their second league win.

Nobody in the Oldham camp knows the Yorkshiremen better than prop Jack Spencer, who was at The Shay last season and played 16 Championship games in the blue and white hoops.

“They like to play exciting, attacking rugby. They are let off the leash and they are encouraged to express themselves,” said the Roughyeds front-rower.

“They’re skilful and experienced with a few former Super League players. They’ve not had the best of starts, but it won’t take much before they start hitting the straps.

“Miles Greenwood is back to form after missing most of last season with a serious leg injury. He has worked extremely hard to get back and on current form he will be a big threat.

“Ben Heaton also had a big season in 2015. Halifax are there to be beaten, though. Their

confidence is down a bit right now and if we play to the best of our ability we can be a match for anybody in this division.”

Oldham coach Scott Naylor rested Will Hope and Lewis Palfrey in the side that beat Kells in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup; and with Danny Langtree and Danny Grimshaw recovering well from knocks picked up in the cup tie, he is confident he will have a full squad at his disposal apart from long-term absentees.