Win shows we can react to a challenge, says Naylor

“COME ON OLDHAM” . . . fans get behind their team at Spotland last night.

SCOTT Naylor’s philosophy on team spirit is a bit extreme: you’ve to be ready to die for the guy next to you.

“If any player of mine is not prepared to do that, he might as well not be there,” said the Oldham boss, as his young squad celebrated a televised derby triumph in a rip-roaring game at Spotland.

Naylor’s men, pushed all the way, closed their 16-match Kingstone Press Championship One programme with their eighth win from nine games.

And when analysing the win, he put a lot of credence in his squad’s inner strength.

Naylor said: “This was a huge game for the club and the way we handled it showed that last week’s performance (an out-of-character second-half draw with bottom club Gloucester) was just a blip.

“We’ve indicated clearly that we can respond to a challenge and that’s a huge asset when preparing for a play-off series.

“We had a few words at half-time and resumed by rocking them with an 18-point blitz early in the second half. We were fantastic in that spell

“Rochdale are a good side. It wouldn’t surprise me if we met in the play-offs.

“Individually, Lewis Palfrey’s kicking game was good and so was his ability to try to control the game. The four on the bench also played exceedingly well.

“I left out Jason Boults, but it was a tough decision. He has handled it unbelievably professionally and it says a lot about him.”