Oldham coach Diskin blasts disappointing performance

Matt Diskin was in no mood for making excuses after the 18-12 Law Cup defeat at Rochdale.

Describing the Roughyeds' performance as "really disappointing", he said: "For some reason we were flat and low on energy. I think we thought we were going to walk all over them.

"Rochdale showed a lot of effort, honest endeavour and self-belief and they out-enthused us which was particularly disappointing.

"We had better spells in the second-half when we got it back to 14-12 but we then let ourselves down with  lack of discipline when we conceded a lot of penalties.

"We've got a lot of lessons to learn -- and quickly,. We showed some glimpses of quality rugby, but we are not consistent enough."

 Injuries are also providing Diskin with a headache ahead of Saturday evening's friendly against a St Helens Select side at the Vestacare Stadium.

Forwards Ben Davies (back) and Jode Sheriffe (knee) have not played in the two pre-season games against Barrow and Rochdale (Law Cup) and now they have four more concerns --- six in all  --- which slashes the number of players currently available to 15.

Cameron Leeming pulled a hamstring at Barrow and didn't play at Rochdale. Also absent was Ed Smith, who hurt his back while training on Saturday morning.

To crown all at the Crown Oil Arena, John Hutchings pulled up with a hamstring problem when accelerating away in pursuit of a kick and Jack Spencer damaged a bicep.

Whether any of them will be fit for the St Helens game remains to be seen, but the opening Betfred Championship game against Widnes Vikings at Bower Fold, Stalybridge is not far away -- February 2 --  and physio Chris Melling will be working with his sleeves rolled up in order to get at least some of the injured back on the field.

Said Diskin: "We'll be looking at all of them this week and assessing them. Jode Sheriffe has had a scan on his knee. We don't think it's serious but we're still waiting for results."

By Roger Halstead