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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

The signing from Halifax is Nick Rawsthorne who the Dons had on loan from Hull in 2017 and who subsequently played for Toronto Wolfpack, York (loan) & Hull KR.

Nick Rawsthorne is a quality player. I see he's signed until the end of the season.

Reading their website, a couple of their first-teamers have got one match bans after their reent Skolars match but they don't come into effect until their away game at Dewsbury next Friday!

Thanks, Wilf.

I've got a little bit more time on my hands at the moment so I thought I'd see if I could find some hope that Oldham's defence might be as bad as ours... unfortunately I couldn't!

One is Samy Kibula one of two signings in May intended to bolster their pack. The other being Pat Moran. Both commenced their professional careers at Super League clubs. Kibula at Wigan and Moran at Warrington. Although, it's fair to say both have played more games below SL level than they ever did in the top flight.

Friday Result: Dewsbury 42, Rochdale 0.

I bet Dewsbury are pleased with a clean sheet.