Roden backed to prosper once again

STRIDING AWAY: Oldham stand-off Neil Roden embarks on a trademark burst downfield.

NEIL Roden doesn’t have anything to prove to the Roughyeds coaching team.

Admittedly, the 29-year-old stand-off hasn’t been playing much this season in comparison to previous years.

Since rejoining the club prior to the start of the 2007 season, ‘Ratty’ had missed only five matches in two years before this year’s campaign began.

This season the pairing of the Coyle brothers, James and newcomer Thomas, has served to restrict the Wigan-based player’s influence on the field. Roden has started twice in 2009, against Rochdale and Sheffield in the Northern Rail Cup pool stages, with seven of his showings coming off the replacements’ bench.

Behind the scenes, though, everyone has always been aware of just how clever a player he can be.

And now, with an injury to Thomas clearing the way for a return to the starting ranks, Roden has the opportunity to showcase his skills once more.

He gave a timely reminder of his capabilities when inspiring the side from off the bench against Swinton at Sedgley Park, a performance which certainly impressed Tony Benson.

“Neil came on and played so well at Swinton,” said the Roughyeds coach about a player who currently has 88 tries for Oldham, putting him 17th on the all-time list.

“His pass to create the first-half try for Dave Allen was sheer class. The set play was for him to pass that ball pre-line, but he opted to go through the line and then slip him the ball.

“It was a terrific piece of play and that is what he is capable of. Neil has a great rugby brain.

“He is surprisingly big, too, which he doesn’t get credit for. He is well built and an extremely fit person and is an important man for us.”

Benson’s squad has had to absorb a couple of hits recently.

Stevie Gibbons decided to jet home to Ireland last week and the injury to Thomas was another blow, particularly given the cover the former Wigan academy youngster provided at hooker.

However, Benson has made it clear that he isn’t seeking replacements. As well as having Phil Joseph back operating as a starting hooker at the weekend, another man may soon get his opportunity to shine once more.

“We are fine as we are,” said Benson.

“These things give opportunities to those people who have been waiting in the wings for them.

“You can look at Gary Sykes, for example. He had an injured back and because he wasn’t able to train on it, he put on some weight and his fitness levels went down.

“We have been working hard to get him into the best possible shape and he is at the stage now where he is ready for us.

“So we will work with what we have got and I am happy with that.”