16/08/2024
Sean Long has promised Oldham’s huge army of travelling fans that his side is battle-hardened and ready to win the Betfred League 1 title at Cougar Park on Sunday.
The Roughyeds have a three-point lead at the top of the table with just three games to go, and thumped second-placed Keighley 44-6 when the sides met at Boundary Park last month. A win on Sunday – at a ground where Oldham have not won since 2019 – would clinch the title and automatic promotion to the Championship.
“We know the job in hand and this week is a completely different game,” Long told Roughyeds TV, wary of the 28-18 defeat his team suffered at the Cougars in May, a loss that remains the only dropped points of the season.
I feel like we had an easy run into the last trip to Keighley. We went into it not battle-hardened and we got punched in the face. We are in a much better place and better mindset now. The lads know what to expect when it does get tough. We will learn from those lessons, get our prep right and be good to go.”
Long has a number of selection decisions to make ahead of the biggest game of Oldham’s season, with most of his first-team squad returning to fitness at just the right time. Only long-absentee McKenzie Yei remains sidelined, along with forwards Brad Gallagher and Jay Chapelhow who both underwent surgery last week.
New signing Riley Dean is recovering well from an ankle injury, recalled winger Cian Tyrer scored five tries against bottom club Newcastle last week, half-back Jamie Ellis impressed on his return while centre Jumah Sambou scored two tries in an encouraging club debut.
“Selection is going to be really difficult, the lads have all shown they want to play so I have a bit of a dilemma now to be honest,” said Long.
I haven’t even picked the team yet, I will go off what I see in training. We have to get the team selection right and that is my job. We need to match their physicality, they are a good team who have recruited really well I feel. They are playing a different brand of rugby with a lot more steel in them. It is going to be a really physical game. The occasion could get to you but we have lots of senior blokes who have been there and done it. We will be relying on them.”
Keighley are set for their biggest crowd of the season thanks in no small part to a huge expected following from Oldham, with four coach loads already sold out.
“This all started in November. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It would be great to get our fans there – we have an unbelievable set of fans, I’m sure it will be rammed, a good atmosphere, hopefully the emotion doesn’t get hold of the lads too much and we can get the win.”