Naylor talks about Oldham’s new signings

Scott Naylor, Oldham RL coach, has lauded the signings of Roughyeds’ new boys Luke Nelmes and Paul Crook.

Points-machine Crook (31) has been brought in to kick goals, take charge of the field-kicking department, dictate tactics in a key, pivotal role and lead the side around the field.

His vast experience as a midfield general in League 1 is regarded as an essential element in the squad Naylor is building to take Roughyeds back to the Kingstone Press Championship at the first time of asking.

“He’s just what we need,” said Naylor, of the St Helens-based former Widnes Vikings and Rochdale Hornets half-back, who was at Whitehaven last year after seven seasons at Rochdale.

Added Naylor: “We know to our cost what he can do. I still have nightmares about how he kicked us to death in the 2013 Grand Final against Rochdale at Leigh.

“He knows League 1 inside out and he’ll take a lot of pressure off Dave Hewitt.

“Dave will learn a lot from him, while I will also be listening to his opinions and ideas, which I think is very important.”

“It’s a weight off our minds to know that we’ve got two quality half-backs signed on already.

“Turning to the forwards, Luke (Nelmes) didn’t get as much game time at Halifax as he would have liked, but that was only because Fax are a good side in the Championship and he had a lot of experienced competition.

“We’ve done our homework on him and he’s a big, strong lad with decent skills who’s looking forward to showing us what he can do. “