Naylor hails terrific attitude

COACH Scott Naylor demands his Oldham side is honest, hard-working, fit, durable, mentally tough and totally committed to shirt and badge.

Little wonder then that he was “ecstatic” after watching his Roughyeds recover from a dreadful start — 12-0 down in 15 mminutes — to beat derby rivals Rochdale 23-16 at Spotland on the opening day of the League One season.

It was the perfect build-up ahead of tomorrow night’s iPro Sport Cup semi-final against North Wales Crusaders at Whitebank (7.30pm kick-off).

Naylor said: “We still have huge room for improvement, but day one of the league campaign isn’t the time to be reaching your peak. You need to be doing that in September.

“Even so, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t ecstatic about the way we’ve started the season in both cup and league and about the response I’m getting from a great set of lads. Even those who weren’t in the 17 were all here to support their mates. They’re a great bunch with a terrific attitude and that alone will take any side a long way.

“Our first-half performance was the worst 40 minutes since the friendlies, but to go in at half-time only 14-12 down after playing as badly as that shows what sort of a team we are in terms of application and character.”.”