Naylor staying put
Oldham head coach Scott Naylor, who will go into his fifth season as coach of the Roughyeds in 2017, admits he has never been happier and is looking forward to a bright future with the club.
Naylor got Oldham promoted last season from League 1 and has kept the Roughyeds up despite operating with one of the smallest budgets in the division.
“I am contracted for next year,” he told Love Rugby League.
“I am happy doing what I am doing and I have no plans on going anywhere else.”
After finishing first in League 1 last season, Oldham retained their Championship status this time round, finishing five points clear of Workington Town and Whitehaven much to the delight of Naylor.
“It was a huge relief when we had finally done enough. It has been a very hard and long season and at one point we were in the bottom two.
“This year has been a rollercoaster. We have had enormous lows like Bradford away and we have had some enormous highs, beating Hull KR in the Challenge Cup.
“Everyone had wrote us off and I think along with Swinton it is a huge achievement to have stayed up and one that we are immensely proud of.
“It is now time to make Oldham a big club.
“It is a long-term plan. We have gone from seventh in League 1 to securing the club’s place in the division above for next season so we are making good progress.”
One of the key differences this season compared with last was the effort required to win a match, according to Naylor.
“In this league there are no winnable games,” he admitted.
“In the division below you do a hell of a lot of travelling but there are games you know you are going to win if you play at 70% or 80%.
“In the Championship you have to play at 100%. It has to be your best 17 every week to stand a chance.”
The Roughyeds have already made some positive moves ahead of next season, securing Kenny Hughes and Liam Thompson for another year which was music to Naylor’s ears.
“It was great that we have got them for another season,” he said.
“The experience they have gained this year will do them good.
“We have some other lads who have flourished and stepped up to the challenge in the division.”