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.

I bet they are pleased they have a defence....unlike us.

20 point difference, all of it in the 'conceded' column.

In an earlier post, I analysed the points conceded by Oldham and the Dons.

Here's Dewsbury's record

Home 12, 10, 10, 6, 6 and 0
Away 26, 18, 16, 6, 6, and 4

Conceded 20+ points: Dons 50%, Oldham 50%, Dewsbury 9%.

Conceded fewer than 10 points: Dons 10%, Oldham 10%, Dewsbury 50%.

Being able to score points is important but not conceding points is probably even more important. Our defence looks vulnerable against sides we should be able to shut out. Against better sides, you can't give them a head start or else there is likely to be no way back.

The evidence suggests tomorrow could be a high scoring game. We'll see!

What do you see the handicap being?

Phew! That's a tough one...

I reckon we might be getting between 4 and 8 points start? Over recent seasons, the bookies have tended to oppose the Dons more than the league tables might suggest - correctly so in most instances. You don't know how the Dewsbury v Rochdale handicap compared to ours, do you? I didn't look.

The Dons might be worth a punt if getting 10 or more start? How do you see it?

I didn’t look at the Dewsbury v Rochdale handicap unfortunately.

I expect the Dons to get 8 or 10 points start tomorrow but that wouldn't be enough to tempt me in.