STU Littler, who is “excited” at the prospect of being involved in his first Hornets-Oldham derby, says current form will count for nothing in Friday’s big game at the Crown Oil Arena.
“Like all derbies, it will be about who turns up on the day,”
said the Roughyeds boss, as he prepared for the clash of third-placed Rochdale and, just one point behind, fifth-placed Oldham.
Both teams head for this intriguing clash on the back of good wins last week when Roughyeds demolished strugglers West Wales Raiders 100-4 and Hornets beat Hunslet 44-20 to climb to third place with two wins from three.
Roughyeds, on three points, have won one, lost one and drawn one, but Littler insists that previous results will be meaningless when these fierce derby rivals lock horns.
He added:
“There’s only one point separating us anyway but apart from that, both teams will have had a change of routine in preparation because of the short turn-around from last week.
“Anything can happen in a derby when bragging rights are up for grabs and players respond to the tensions of the crowd and how much vocal support they get.
“I know there are difficulties because of the current 920 capacity for Hornets’ home games, but let’s get as many Roughyeds fans as possible over there and let’s turn it into a ‘home’ game as far as vocal support goes.”
It might be Littler’s first such derby, but the Oldham boss won’t be on unfamiliar territory. While a player at Leigh, and getting towards the end of his illustrious playing days, he had a dozen games on loan at Rochdale where he still has good friends.
The current Hornets board were in charge at Swinton during Littler’s time with the Lions.
Greg McNally, the Hornets full-back, was in the Ireland team when Littler was coach of the national “greens” and, in his own words, Littler “went through school” with another good pal currently wearing red, white and blue, veteran hooker Sean Penkywicz.
“We were in the same team at Leigh as well,” added Littler. “I know how much these derby games mean to fans and we have some of the best in the business at Oldham.”
Littler will name his initial 21-man squad later today, but there are a few “issues” concerning knocks so he won’t be absolutely certain of his final line-up until an hour or so before kick-off.
Heading the list of imponderables is half-back Dave Hewitt, who missed the West Wales game with a hip injury, but could be available for the derby.
He trained on Tuesday and whether he will be ready for the big game will depend on how he has responded to normal training.
