PAUL March believes Oxford will feel the “backlash” from his players on Sunday as Cougars bid to return to winning ways.

March’s side were beaten 34-10 at North Wales Crusaders last weekend in what marked only their second league defeat of the campaign.

The loss, coupled with Oldham’s win at Gloucestershire All Golds, knocked Cougars off top spot but they still have a game in hand.

March is seeking a positive response at home to Oxford and the player-coach said: “We let ourselves down last week and they scored off the back of our errors.

“Defensively we need to be better and it’s ideal that we’re back at home because we haven’t lost here in the league.

“We can come back to Cougar Park with the right attitude because I think that’s what let us down at North Wales.

“If we do that, then I’m sure Oxford will feel the backlash from our performance against North Wales.

“I know a couple of Oxford’s players, Mark Barlow and Danny Thomas, who are both Dewsbury lads playing down there.

“They’re going to be enthusiastic so it’s about making sure our attitude is right and concentrating on what we need to put right.

“If we do that then the game should take care of itself.”

March has also hailed the impact of on-loan Bradford Bulls duo Adam Brook and Samir Tahraoui and believes the relationship between the clubs will continue to blossom.

Homegrown scrum half Brook has scored four tries in as many games for Cougars and will stay on loan at the club for the rest of the season.

March said: “It’s good that we have got Brooky until the end of the year because he has come into the side and made that position his own.

“Jimmy (Lowes) just wants him to get some game-time and that’s certainly what he is doing with his performances and obviously scoring some tries as well.

“I’m pleased with him and, as a half-back, you want to play behind a dominant pack. He’s certainly got that here.”

Prop Tahraoui, meanwhile, is on an initial one-month loan deal but March is keen to keep him for longer.

“Samir has played twice for us so far and he will just keep improving with every game he has with us,” said March.

“Game-time is vital for him and it’s just about getting him back into the groove of things.

“I’m sure he will be a great asset to us and I’m hoping to have him for longer than his initial month.

“He’s got Sunday’s game against Oxford and next week’s trip to Coventry, so I will speak to Jimmy and hopefully go week-to-week with his loan until the end of the season.

“It’s up to Bradford, of course, but we are building a nice relationship with them now.

“Obviously in the past we were enemies but it’s nice to see them coming together now.

“I know with the Danny Jones fund that Bradford certainly contributed a sizeable lump sum.

“It’s about looking after each other as clubs because their players coming here gives them valuable game-time and obviously strengthens us.”

Danny Lawton hurt his sternum against North Wales and will be assessed but Hamish Barnes is on stand-by to replace him.

Meanwhile, Cougars pair Jode Sheriffe and Sean Kelly have undergone operations during the past week on Achilles and knee injuries respectively.

March explained: “Jode had his operation on Friday which went well and we are hoping that he’ll be back in between four and five months, which is not as bad as first feared.

“Sean had his first operation on his knee and will have a second next week; his recovery time is six to seven months.

“They are both good professionals and will do the right things.”