CARL FORSTER fully embraced the underdogs tag when North Wales Crusaders opened their play-offs tilt at Workington Town - and he will utilise the same attitude for Sunday’s huge clash at Oldham.

Crusaders, who finished the regular season in sixth spot, were definite second favourites to topple Workington last time out, but they achieved it in some style via a comfortable 26-10 outcome.

More of the same will be player-coach Forster’s aim ahead of another super Sunday, with the in-form Crusaders looking to cause even further damage in the play-offs.

Forster (pictured below) told the club’s website: “It’s probably going to be the same attitude of this week. Nothing to lose. We’re the underdogs.

“We go and beat Workington in their own backyard and we’ve got to go and do the same against Oldham.

“But there’s nothing more dangerous than a team that’s got absolutely nothing to lose.”

To call the Crusaders’ season a mixed one would be an understatement.

They opened the campaign with six defeats in a row, coupled with the unavailability of their Stadiwm CSM base in Colwyn Bay.

However, they have won their last three competitive encounters and Forster added: “I’ve said it all season, if we had this team out all year, I think the season would probably look a little bit different.

“That’s no disrespect to who has played for us in the past.

“It’s just we’ve been that low on numbers, there’s been no competition for places.”

Things are looking far brighter for the North Wales outfit now, demonstrated by their dismantling of Workington on Sunday.

In an ideal start, a try from Forster plus two successful kicks from Leon Hayes had the Crusaders eight points ahead inside the opening 10 minutes.

Workington, coached by former Crusaders’ chief Anthony Murray, hit back to take a 10-8 advantage into the break, however the second half was all about the Crusaders.

“I’ve probably had to leave people out this week that probably didn’t deserve to be left out,” added Forster, who saw key man Rob Massam among the try scorers.

“But that is the competitive nature of rugby league and it’s a ruthless sport and it makes my job a lot harder, but I think you see the results on the field when you’ve got 22, 23 lads all pushing for 17 spaces and finally we’ve got a full, fit team there and I want no excuses.”

While Crusaders have hit form at just the right time, Sunday’s hosts Oldham need to pick themselves up following a heavy defeat to open their play-off campaign.

They lost out 36-0 at Doncaster, which followed on from an 18-10 home defeat to Midlands Hurricanes to conclude the regular season.

Boundary Park will host the big play-off clash, which kicks off at 3pm.

The other play-off encounter on Sunday sees league runners-up Hunslet at home to Doncaster.

The winners will go straight through to the play-off final, while the loser will tackle the winner of the Oldham versus Crusaders clash in an eliminator next week.