Calm confidence from ‘Thompo’

IT’S cap and gown time for Liam Thompson on Tuesday - but before that he’s looking forward to a biff and bash appointment at Whitebank in Sunday’s derby against Rochdale.

Will he be celebrating twice in three days?

“That’s the objective. We have the utmost respect for Rochdale, but after the way we played to beat Swinton and York we’re quietly confident,” said Oldham’s loose forward, who graduates in sports science from the University of Central Lancashire in Preston.

Hit by injury in his first two seasons at Whitebank, Wigan-born ‘Thompo’ has played in 17 of the Roughyeds’ 18 outings this year, as a grafter in defence and a steadying influence around the rucks and behind the props.

He would never claim he can score from half way or set a crowd alight; sufficient for him to know he is held in the utmost regard by his teammates and by the man who picks the side, coach Scott Naylor.

He added: “Graduation will be a big day for me and a win in the derby would set the scene perfectly.

“We’re on a high just now — back on top of the league after four wins in a row — and we want to keep the momentum going. There’s a real buzz in training and everyone is enjoying their rugby again.

“Rochdale are always tough opponents, especially against us, and Sunday will be no different. They are only two points behind and they’ll want to build on their big win at Newcastle last week.

“We need to start well and try to establish some early control of the game. If we’re aggressive we’ll give ourselves every chance of winning.”

If Oldham coach Scott Naylor was to opt for Steve Roper’s experience over the youthful exuberance of

loan player David Hewitt at half back, Roper would also have special reason for turning it on against his former Spotland employers.