'We must stick together'

Adam Neal

PETER Carey, Oldham's assistant coach, has made an impassioned plea for club solidarity in the wake of recent events on and off the field.

"We must stick together as a group, that's essential," said Carey after the Roughyeds' fourth defeat in a row at Swinton.

Carey and Alan Hunte were in charge of the side following Lee Spencer's resignation and the touchline ban imposed on head coach Scott Naylor by the Rugby Football League.

Naylor was at the game as a spectator, his ban extending to more than the touchline. He wasn't allowed in the dressing room before or after the game and he will be similarly restricted at next Sunday's clash with league leaders Hull KR at Bower Fold. After that he is in the clear.

Hunte, who worked with Naylor and Carey at Salford, will be at training this week, operating alongside the Roughyeds duo. Naylor is allowed to head-up training as usual.

"VIDEO"

Added Carey: "We'll be doing a lot of video work this week, and then we'll move on. Hull KR next. They don't come any easier do they? But what better match than this one to put a few things right."

He said the only player to come out of the Swinton game with injury was centre Danny Grimshaw, who had a groin problem.

There were no dual-reg players in the side and there were no places either for Sammy Gee, Joe Burke, Sam Davies or Jamel Chisholm.

Luke Adamson, signed from Dewsbury Rams, started only his second game in the second-row, while new-boy Brad Hill, signed on a month's loan from Batley Bulldogs, made his debut off the bench.

Another concern for Roughyeds is that RFL disciplinary issues surround Gee, Richard Lepori and Jack Spencer following alleged offences in the Summer Bash defeat by Rochdale Hornets.