Widnes Vikings host big spenders Oldham after back to back defeats that threaten to derail the season.
Allan Coleman’s men will be looking to turn around their fortunes heading into the Good Friday clash after being on the receiving end of two heavy defeats in the past few weeks against York and Barrow and have faced some criticism over their performances.
Speaking after the Barrow game a disappointed Coleman said: “You have to win your home games, I just thought they ran harder, tackled harder and wanted it more than us today, that’s disappointing for me.
“It’s frustrating more than anything, I know how much it hurts the players, that’s the bad side, if it didn’t hurt then you know you have the wrong players, but they are hurt.
“With the half backs and outside backs we have we should be scoring points regularly but we are not, we need to look at it, we look predictable at times and you can’t be like that you have to be off the cuff to get opportunities to change things, make things happen and make teams think.
“We were going side to side, we needed to square up and be more direct but we didn’t, we had enough chances second half.”
After a solid start to the season the past two games Widnes have looked a shadow of themselves, a side recognised for working hard defensively and being stubborn have struggled to find form and rhythm. Experienced key players have made costly errors at vital times, the forward pack has been beaten convincingly and the backs have lacked cutting edge and creativity.
Nevertheless the Championship takes pity on no one, a short turn around sees Oldham come to town on Friday afternoon. A vastly improved performance in attack and defence is non-negotiable if the Vikings are going to come out on top. Not only have Oldham heavily invested in their playing squad potentially up to eight former Vikings players, plus loan signing Tom Forber could take to the field against there former club.
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How Oldham are shaping up
Oldham head to the DCBL stadium searching for their fifth straight victory, although they will have to do it without Papua New Guinea international Nene McDonald, who had been on loan from Salford, as the centre returned home to Australia following the birth of his child. Tom Forber and Lukas Mason arrive on duel registration to help cover injuries for the Roughyeds.
Winger Mo Agoro is back in contention after a spell on the sidelines.
Matty Wilde misses out after undergoing surgery and so does imposing centre Iain Thornley following an injury sustained against Featherstone. George Hirst sustained a head injury last time out against Featherstone which will see him miss Friday’s game. Elijah Taylor also misses out due to a head injury. Brad Gallagher also misses out as he continues to recover from a knee injury sustained playing for Rochdale on dual-registration.
We're pleased to welcome Tom Forber and Lukas Mason in on dual-reg from Wigan, as well as Marcus Geener who is included in a Championship 21-man squad for the very first time 👏.
We are without Nene Macdonald for the third game of his short-term loan, with the Salford centre… pic.twitter.com/hyTJ0F0Vfs
— Oldham RLFC (@Roughyeds) April 16, 2025
Oldham sit second in the table and a victory could see them rise to top of the table if Halifax fail to beat Bradford. That alongside the ruck of former Vikings players appearing for Oldham will give plenty of incentive for Sean Longs men to clinch victory.
Speaking ahead of the match, Oldham head coach Sean Long said: “I don’t think those last two results reflect how they are playing, they are a good team especially at home on the pitch they have.
“They have a experienced spine with players like (Matty) Fozard and (Tom) Gilmore, a lot will go through them and we need to be on point with our defence.”
Widnes selection conundrum
If back to back defeats wasn’t challenging enough, head coach Allan Coleman only has sixteen fit players of his own to choose from. Dual registration players have been drafted in from Warrington to help bolster selection options Luke Thomas (Prop), Ben Hartill (Hooker), Nolan Tupaea (Back Row), Oli Leyland (Half Back) and Zack Gardner (Outside Back)
Ryan Lannon remains unavailable due to personal reasons as does Rhys Williams. Max Roberts is unavailable after sustaining a knee injury against Barrow, it is unknown the severity or length of time at this moment.
Matt Fleming sustained a hamstring injury late on in the Barrow game, Dec Patton also sustained an ankle injury during the same game. Both players are deemed not fit enough for Friday.
☝️ Squad news for our Good Friday fixture with @Roughyeds!
🔁 The Vikings welcome five additions on dual registration from Warrington, with several players dropping out through injury…
ℹ️ For more 👉 https://t.co/DAa1HecMo1#VikingsForevermore pic.twitter.com/7aDIfztJ7D
— Widnes Vikings (@WidnesRL) April 16, 2025
On a more positive note Nick Gregson has been welcomed back into the team after serving his suspension. Jordan Johnstone has also returned to training.
Coleman said: “As a player it should excite and lift you to play against the best in the competition, its probably come at the right time, it could flip both sides.”
“I feel we need to raise our game and to do that you have to play a quality opposition and they certainly are that.”
It’s a tough ask for Widnes and perhaps the biggest test yet of character of the playing group after a difficult few weeks. A depleted team is going to be tested to the limits. A marked improvement on ruck speed, ball carrying and individual errors is needed for Coleman’s men to be within a chance of pulling off an unlikely victory.
