And if blatant exploitation of home and away fans' generosity alike isn't enough, we get to play our nearest and dearest neighbours under the shiny new tutelage of the man they call Sneakin' Deakin.

Hornets fans have a soft spot for old Sneakin' - it's at the bottom of the garden behind the shed. Having cast himself as perpetual RL villain after his moonlight flit from Spotland to the high glamour of Keighley, Steve Deakin's installation at the Oldham helm following John Pendlebury's dive over the side ensures his status as a figure of... er... fun. In fact, Pendlebury's tenure could well be the shortest coaching stint since... well... the Sneakster himself left Hornets in the lurch. At least Pendlebury got them as far as the season...

Having seen his new charges get sorely whupped at Halifax and then shuffle past Saddleworth - flattered by three late tries - Deak the Sneak will have, by now, got his head round the size of the task at Oldham.

And, while some may suggest that the shift from coaching the on-field leader of New Zealand's Tri-Nations championship winning side to shouting "pass it" at Chris Hough is a bit of a culture shock, Deakin maintains that coaching Oldham is the fulfilment of a lifetime ambition. Good for him.

In the press this week, 'Sneaks' said: "The challenge for me over the next three or four weeks is to make sure I get to know the strengths and weaknesses of my own players." In the same interview he also said: "I was never good enough to play professionally." Ah, well...

Conversely Darren Abram - try-scorer in a Lancashire Cup final against St Helens - will be looking to maintain Hornets' unbeaten start to 2006. Following an artisan performance against the Miners of Leigh, Dazza will be looking for a little more spark and pace, but could be hampered by the on-going stand-off situation.

While Phil Farrell fills the void temporarily, the need for an out-and-out out half is without doubt the outstanding matter in Abrams' mind. And as Sam Butterworth approaches fitness from his achilles tendon tweak, that could provide an option. Also in contention for a return are Paul Norman whose hamstring problem is close to resolution and Casey Mayberry whose sock-string snapped at Halifax. No, it was a hip injury.

With three games in eight days coming up, Dazza will be looking to give some much needed game time to as many squad players as possible. And with progress beyond the Celtic Crusaders in the Challenge Cup in a fortnight an absolute must, lots of players will have a chance to play themselves into contention for a possible shot at a big side in the next round. Or even Wakefield or Salford!

But with Oldham first in the sights this week, we'll tick 'em off one at a time. And you really wouldn't want to miss a game against Oldham just because they want to charge you three quid more than anyone else would you? Just don't buy a programme or a pie or a pint or a brew and it'll work out much the same.

We'll be in our usual spot - and we're taking a flask! Come and join us, make a bit of noise and get behind the lads. If - or when - we win, you'll wish you'd been there to ask Mr Deakin what the score was!

See you Sunday.