BRADFORD Bulls aren't the only team who reckon that the fates are against them at the moment.

Oldham are going into what is a crunch second Kingstone Press Championship Shield clash at home to the Bulls tomorrow feeling exactly the same way.

The Roughyeds' assistant coach Peter Carey says that their 56-16 defeat at Sheffield Eagles last weekend summed up the kind of misfortune his side have suffered of late.

Going into a match this weekend that could take them out of the bottom two with a win if Swinton Lions lose at home to Sheffield, Carey said: "We didn't get the run of the green or the bounce of the ball.

"You only have to look at the first try of the second half where the ball bounces up for them to score a relatively simple try, or the try at the end where a kick bounces off legs and a post and back to them to score.

"I think that is what you get when you're on a run like we're on and when you're in that dogfight. We're going to have to turn that around ourselves.

"We've had a good chat with everyone after the game and the players have got to look at themselves now and start fighting for each other."

Meanwhile, Liam Thompson is battling to be fit to face the Bulls.

The forward went through the pain barrier during last week's defeat at Sheffield, playing despite still feeling the effects of a sternum injury before being forced off the field in the latter stages.

He is being treated along with a host of clubmates, the nearest of whom to fitness is Adam Neal.

The prop forward broke his jaw in the 14-12 home win over Toulouse last month.

Since then, Oldham have lost four in a row, but after seeing a consultant the club hope he will be able to reinforce the pack within two to three weeks – in time for the climax of the Championship Shield campaign.

Danny Langtree has had a second scan on an injured bicep, and club and player are awaiting results on that, while Richard Lepori will have a scan on his injured ankle on Tuesday in order to determine the type of surgery he will need.

Captain Gareth Owen, who is out for the season, has this week had an operation on an injured foot and begins the long road to recovery. He will be in plaster for up to eight weeks.