Oldham v Dons Sunday 18th June 2023 3pm : Tue Jun 13, 2023 2:43 pm  

Current standings:
Dews: 11, 21, +317
Dons: 10, 18, +168
Oldh: 10, 17, +226
Huns: 9, 12, +138

June fixtures:
Fri 16th Dewsbury v Rochdale
Sun 18th N Wales v Midlands
Sun 18th Workington v London
Sun 18th Hunslet v Cornwall
Fri 23rd Dewsbury v Oldham

If we can beat Oldham, the best outcome in the Dewsbury v Oldham game would be for Oldham to win as we could then theoretically finish top without having to beat Dewsbury at home. A Dewsbury loss against Oldham would mean Dewsbury will have dropped 3 points in total during the season. The Dons will have dropped 2 points and Oldham will have dropped 5 points.

If we lose at Oldham, we might have to beat Dewsbury to climb back above Oldham for second place. Whichever way we look at it, a loss next weekend would make life considerably more difficult as we'd be relying on other teams dropping points for us to get in the top two.

As I've mention on other threads, winning the league is important on two fronts. Firstly you can start recruiting earlier for next season (compared to the team promoted through the play-offs) and you avoid the semi-lottery of the play-offs.

Last Sunday at home to Rochdale proves how every team can have an off day. Rochdale didn't punish us as severely as a good team would. Let's hope we can win at Oldham and give ourselves the best chance of finishing top.

Does anyone know if there's a bus to Oldham?

[Jemmo]

Re: Oldham v Dons Sunday 18th June 2023 3pm : Tue Jun 13, 2023 7:49 pm  

There isn't a bus

Re: Oldham v Dons Sunday 18th June 2023 3pm : Tue Jun 13, 2023 9:56 pm  

Jemmo wrote:

There isn't a bus

Thanks Jemmo.

It's quite sad that we've potentially got the biggest match of the season and no bus.

Now here's a thought...

If IMG awarded status points based on the number of fans travelling to away games, it might encourage clubs to do more. I know our buses have always been arranged through volunteers - which must be a very arduous task.

My suggestion would be for Club Doncaster to set up a database of people potentially interested in away travel. Send all on the list an email four weeks before an away game asking for interest, quoting the travel price and departure times. Surely a deal could be struck with the same bus company that takes the players?

If there is sufficient interest, booking should be done online through the club Box office.

Supporter volunteers would then only need to count people on and count people off the bus, making it a much more manageable task for them - and the volunteers should be given a free ticket into the match.

Having away fans at a game must help lift the players.

Re: Oldham v Dons Sunday 18th June 2023 3pm : Wed Jun 14, 2023 6:45 am  

A game that I have had concern about for some time, I really do hope that we can put in a performance and manage the win.

[Jemmo]

Re: Oldham v Dons Sunday 18th June 2023 3pm : Wed Jun 14, 2023 8:23 am  

Double Movement wrote:

Thanks Jemmo.

It's quite sad that we've potentially got the biggest match of the season and no bus.

Now here's a thought...

If IMG awarded status points based on the number of fans travelling to away games, it might encourage clubs to do more. I know our buses have always been arranged through volunteers - which must be a very arduous task.

My suggestion would be for Club Doncaster to set up a database of people potentially interested in away travel. Send all on the list an email four weeks before an away game asking for interest, quoting the travel price and departure times. Surely a deal could be struck with the same bus company that takes the players?

If there is sufficient interest, booking should be done online through the club Box office.

Supporter volunteers would then only need to count people on and count people off the bus, making it a much more manageable task for them - and the volunteers should be given a free ticket into the match.

Having away fans at a game must help lift the players.

I think we'll take a good number, but nowadays people seem to prefer to drive, I'll be honest I do so I can stop and start whenever I want. The bus doesn't even work out much cheaper

Re: Oldham v Dons Sunday 18th June 2023 3pm : Wed Jun 14, 2023 8:56 am  

Jemmo wrote:

I think we'll take a good number, but nowadays people seem to prefer to drive, I'll be honest I do so I can stop and start whenever I want. The bus doesn't even work out much cheaper

Yes, I hope we get a good number there. Obviously, the bus cost v car cost is a factor.

I first started going to away games on the bus with my dad in the 1980s. I always enjoyed the days out except for one occasion at Swinton! I went with my wife on that occasion. The bus had gone when we got out of the ground! We got a lift back with one of the directors whose name escapes me at the moment.

Re: Oldham v Dons Sunday 18th June 2023 3pm : Thu Jun 15, 2023 1:16 pm  

Our defence is so bad and prone to periods of collapse that I will be well surprised if we win this one....
We need to put in a great attacking effort to win since our defence is so bad..
Can't see Oldham scoring less than 36.

Re: Oldham v Dons Sunday 18th June 2023 3pm : Thu Jun 15, 2023 4:35 pm  

Stand-Offish wrote:

Our defence is so bad and prone to periods of collapse that I will be well surprised if we win this one....
We need to put in a great attacking effort to win since our defence is so bad..
Can't see Oldham scoring less than 36.

The leaking of points, especially against the lesser teams, is a major concern.

Home conceded: 6, 16, 16, 20, 22 and 30
Away conceded: 10, 16, 26 and 26

In the 10 games played, we've conceded 20 points or more 50% of the time.

We've only conceded less than 16 points twice.

How does this compare with Oldham?

Home conceded: 16, 16, 18, 20 and 26
Away conceded: 4, 14, 16, 18 and 26

In their 10 games, they've conceded 20 points or more 30% of the time.

They've only conceded less than 16 points twice - same as us.

On this basis, neither team seems to have a watertight defence but perhaps Oldham seem slightly less leaky than us.

If we're going to win, I think we're going to have to get on top in the forwards and stop them from playing the ball quickly. If we give them space, they're likely to find gaps in our line.

If we play like we did in the first half against Rochdale last Sunday, we'll get now't.

My game plan would be to tire them out down the middle, turn the ball over near their line and make them work hard coming out from their own half. We have the forwards to do that and Connor Robinson's kicking game to pen them in.

We seem to have become vulnerable to high kicks to the corners. Teams will try to exploit that now, I'm sure.

As for our attack, I think we'll score points if the forwards do their job... but let's try and keep them to less than 18 points or else the mountain could be too high to climb.

Re: Oldham v Dons Sunday 18th June 2023 3pm : Fri Jun 16, 2023 1:42 pm  

That's a cracking analysis DM. Hand on heart I can't see past a home win. They have two new recruits for the game a lad from Halifax and someone from Wigan Warriors.

Re: Oldham v Dons Sunday 18th June 2023 3pm : Fri Jun 16, 2023 1:55 pm  

Don't worry....RH has spoken about it
It seems that that is all it takes to rectify things in RH Land.
The term 'rude awakening' springs to mind.
However we have the players to win...but I will not be convinced by HIM until we actually get into the Championship.