Solid base to push on – Palfrey

Date published: 28 March 2013


NEW Roughyeds skipper Lewis Palfrey believes his side will ruffle more than a few feathers in Kingstone Press Championship One this season.

A new-look Oldham squad, with head coach Scott Naylor at the helm and no less than 12 new players among the ranks, means there is optimism in abundance among the Roughyeds faithful.

Therefore, unsurprisingly, 23-year-old Salford lad Palfrey is equally enthused ahead of tomorrow’s home opener against Rochdale Hornets.

“I’ve definitely been encouraged with what I’ve seen since I joined the club,” said Palfrey.

“We’ve beaten some good sides, and of course Rochdale twice already, so I think we’ll be very competitive this year.

“Potentially we could go really close if we keep on improving as we have been doing with each game.

“We are a young side, which is a good thing, and although there is still room for improvement in a lot of areas, the foundations are definitely there for us to do well.”

Many players may have felt extra pressure going into a first full season as club captain, but former Salford, Whitehaven and Batley ace Palfrey has revealed that his switch to becoming a leader has been almost seamless.

He added: “I was quite surprised when Scott gave me the captaincy, but to be honest it’s been quite an easy transition.

“The lads are a really good bunch and I don’t feel as though I’ve needed to change the way I play much at all.

“Being a half-back, you have to shout and scream a bit anyway, so I’m already well used to that side of the job. I’m enjoying it.

“It’s a challenge, but I’m looking forward to getting stuck into the league season now.

“We’re all confident, so who knows what we can achieve?”

Palfrey and new coach Naylor go back a long way, so again it’s not overly surprising to hear that the skipper has plenty of respect, and faith, in the former Salford City Reds, Bradford Bulls and England centre.

“Scott signed me as a 16-year-old at Salford so he knows me inside out and I know him inside out,” said Palfrey.

“He was a great academy coach at Salford and then assistant coach of the first team there, so he's had a good grounding.

“I had no hesitation in coming to Oldham because he is a brilliant coach.

“Look at what he’s done with Danny Langtree — that’s a perfect example.

“Since he began working with Scott he’s come on really well.

“Danny can be a top, top player, and he’s probably been one of our best players so far this season.

“Scott just knows how to get the best out of people.”