Doubting Thomases might suggest that the Bobster’s insistence on trying one last set of permutations might work against us, but put Oldham and Hornets into the ring and you’d be hard pushed to guess what’d come out.

Hornets will feature new acquisition Liam McGovern. Wunderkinder of the British Academy scene, Hornets give the 19 year old his big break in the pro-game and he’ll be keen to impress. Skilled at half-back, hooker and loose forward, Bobbie Goulding will be looking for McGovern to ignite the Hornets sputtering attack.

Goulding will also most likely shuffle the pack to give game time to key players ahead of Monday’s trip to Batley.

At t’other end of the A627M, Steve Molloy will have loose forward Lee Marsh available after his sending off against Swinton last weekend. Dane Morgan, who pulled out of the Swinton game on Sunday morning with a virus remains doubtful for Friday’s game, but Martin McLoughlin, who compounded a a golfing accident with stitches in a head wound last weekend, should play.

Supporters are reminded that the first 200 or so children coming to the game will receive a free Easter Egg and that there will be face painting and other activities. The junior sides from Rochdale Mayfield and Oldham St Annes will also be helping out on the day.

Easter Monday sees the season start in earnest over at Mount (un)Pleasant. Having convincingly buried Featherstone by 40-16 last week, they’ll warm up for Monday with their local derby at Dewsbury rams. And they’ll be keen to maintain the momentum.

Once again Gary Thornton has built a Bulldogs side with big work ethic. Across the side he has enough experienced grafters to make Batley a side to be very wary of this term.

With ex-Biff Mark Sibson at fullback and Matt Bramald and Adrian Flynn on the wings, the backline has a nose for tries - but undoubtedly it’s the half backs that form the fulcrum of the side. Assuming he ever gets a pass, whatever poor MarkToohey does at out-half he’ll be overshadowed by kicking robot Barry Eaton.

Last week, Eaton kicked 8 from 8 and two of the tries came from kicks in open play. So if you stop ‘Barry the Boot’, you’ll go a long way to stopping the Bulldogs. And all penalties are kickable - so discipline is paramount ( today’s interesting stat: Hornets got thumped 12-7 in the penalty count at Keighley).

So it’s an Easter packed with potential and excitement. Friday gives us an opportunity to gain back some of the pride lost at Oldham; Monday sees the start of the ‘serious stuff’. Oldham games always have a sprak of electricity in the atmosphere - and Batley’s always a good afternoon out with the chance to get together and make a bit of noise. So let’s make it a big Easter double.

You’d be mad to miss either of these. We’ll see you there.