OLDHAM won’t be making excuses about a long journey to London, facing full-time opposition or missing several senior players if things don’t go according to plan against the Broncos in Saturday’s Betfred Championship clash at Rosslyn Park RU Club (kick-off 2pm).
“It is what it is,” said long-serving forward Jack Spencer. “We are all working hard and we’ll be out to put right the things we did wrong at Batley.
“We were disappointed with our performance last week because, up to then, we had improved game-on-game.
“It was one of those games when a lot of us struggled to get things right — not just the odd one or two — and you can’t afford for that to happen in the Championship.
“The video re-run wasn’t good but we all took it on the chin and then moved on.
“You can’t afford to dwell too long on a bad performance because you have to get ready positively for the next match.
“It was our own fault that we lost like we did at Batley, but we’ll be striving hard to put things right and there will be no excuses if we don’t.”
Rival coaches Danny Ward and Matt Diskin were friends, teammates and front-row colleagues for six years in their Leeds Rhinos playing days and each is hoping for a capital win after poor performances last time out.
Broncos, in fact, have yet to win this term, having chosen to concede rather than travel to Toulouse Olympique — a Covid-time option — and having been dumped out of the Challenge Cup by York City Knights.
In their only Championship game, three weeks ago, they were thumped 47-14 at Halifax Panthers, and they haven’t played since.
Back in the squad for the Oldham game, though, comes iconic Aussie stand-off Jarrod Summut for the first time since he returned to the club after two seasons away.
Summut is certain to make a big difference and on the face of it much will depend on how Oldham cope with this maverick type of half-back who plays instinctively and is capable of winning a game on his own.
Broncos will take great heart from Sammut’s inclusion, but head coach Ward is wary of Oldham and the way he feels they will have prepared under the tutelage of his old Headingley buddy.
The Broncos boss said:
“We’ve had three weeks to get ready and that’s good. We didn’t play well at Halifax, but we quickly nipped that result in the bud.
“We’re focused on Oldham now and we are determined to deliver the goods.
“Matt (Diskin) is a good friend of mine from our playing days and you can gamble Oldham will be well-coached for this one.
“I was impressed by their win at home to Swinton. They’re a very capable side at this level. They’re tough, hungry and have plenty of experienced players.
“If we let our guard down we’ll be there for the taking, so we must be focused for every minute.”
