LittleboroRoughyed

Best we can likely achieve now is 3rd. Not sure how the playoffs work but we’ll have to go and win at Doncaster. Poor game management cost us in the 2nd half, we should have been kicking deep & making them come off their own line. We also lack defensive aggression with our 3 man tackles struggling to put the player to ground whilst theirs were driving us back. Defensive structure is good but lacks aggression. Still all to play for as we build towards the playoffs as I can see us beating Doncaster

Just watched the fans forum & it was brilliant to watch. A diverse board with varying skills with fan engagement at the heart of the plan. We need to re-awaken the Oldham population of the existence of the rugby club & with a winning team playing attractive rugby. I think Littler is doing well, last season was like playing with one arm tied behind his back but fair play to him (& Chris Hamilton) for securing what looks like will be a team competing for promotion this season (probably via the playoffs). A few late loan additions funded by the new board (speculate to accumulate) might be enough to get promotion for when we move to Latics

What’s happened to Joe Taira? I don’t remember seeing anything after he went off against Rochdale in the Law Cup. Have I missed something?

What’s happened since you played us in pre-season? In that game you were the better team with a strong, aggressive pack who dominated for most of the game. Last night, apart from maybe 10 mins, whilst there was no lack of effort, the forwards were passive. It really didn’t feel like a derby. Good luck for the rest of the season (apart from the obvious).

I think this is a taster for next season as opposed to Sunday afternoons

Regardless of which division we’re in next season, the club needs to have a big marketing push within the town to remind people that the rugby club exists and do more pre-match stuff for the kids with Roary’s Pride.

Looking forward to the next big announcement but not sure when

Disappointing performance overall I thought. We played well in the first 25 & last 15 minutes. In between we tried to score off every play & the game plan went out the window. Ridyard was surprisingly the biggest culprit as he looked to solo score on numerous occasions when we had overlaps on the right.

Different type of game today compared to last week. Rochdale were as expected, big physical & aggressive (in a good way) and we got drawn into a forward dominated battle. Disappointing we didn’t replicate some of the good set plays from last week but we battled to the end and snatched an unlikely win. Didn’t look good for Sheridan & I’d be surprised if we see him again this season.

I thought we were excellent today. We scored some really well executed set piece tries by the backs & the forwards held their own for large spells. Without Lawton (?) the Widnes giant, I think they would have been in trouble. Very promising signs & I was surprised at how well the pack played with so many missing.

I said in an earlier post that our prop signings would determine how well next season would go - are there any more signings expected otherwise we’ll be looking in the loan market

We definitely need a powerhouse front row, including rotation, to build the platform for the spine to work its magic. I think the front row signings yet to be announced will dictate our promotion credentials or not.

Physically, Cru were huge in comparison to us and whilst there was no lack of effort in the pack this undoubtedly told. The Cru back 5 were probably bigger than our pack & also ran the ball hard.

Having read both articles & some of the recent disputes between the 2 clubs is it coincidental that these have arisen since Hornets new owners took over?

If you read the Rochdale FC website it paints a very different picture than Hornets suggests & contains lots of details regarding the Hornets lease

Lots of players missing for this game so time for the fringe players to grab the opportunity

In the 1st half Doncaster were stronger, fitter & more aggressive than Oldham. Our line speed & tackling technique was poor, which meant that Doncaster got quick play the balls & momentum and with the heat we folded. In the 2nd half, Oldham’s line speed remained poor but tackling technique much better, 3 players in the tackle & taking them to the floor, controlling the speed of the play the ball, which made for a reasonably competitive 2nd half - this was probably balanced by Doncaster taking their foot off the gas. I’ve seen a few games this season & we’ve played reasonably well for 50mins at Rochdale, Hurricanes, 1st half Rochdale at home & 2nd half Doncaster & that’s about it. We had a pretty big squad at the start of the season but not seen anything from some of them & plenty of loan players but the 1 area we haven’t changed is the props who have consistently struggled in every match- why? Next season? I don’t expect much different unfortunately. Who would we want to keep from this season - Restall, Copland, Hartley, Ridyard, Nelmes, Thornton, Whittel, Andrade?

The referee didn’t swing the result in Rochdale’s favour yesterday. Rochdale’s execution was poor in the 1st half, they went more direct in the 2nd half (Pencyvic?) & Chase was given freedom to run the ball. When you look at our spine: Restall (FB) came in from amateur & has done brilliantly; Ridyard; other HB changes every week & hooker x 2 changes every week. It’s hard to establish patterns of play when you don’t know who is coming in from week to week especially behind a beaten pack, which is often the case

In terms of the ref, yes he wasn’t great but my biggest concern was his lack of player welfare when there were players with obvious head injuries & he allowed the game to go on. Even Rochdale players were telling him when the 2 Oldham players were down & he just ignored them.

Having reflected on this afternoon’s game Oldham played well in the 1st half with Rochdale struggling with their structured plays with many passes not hitting the mark. Oldham should have known what to expect 2nd half but Rochdale changed the game with Pencyvic (?) playing hooker & Chase running the ball, the 2 old heads completely dominated the game. Even at this level money talks, Oldham have none & Rochdale do. Both clubs don’t generate much revenue but Rochdale’s board can fund the players we can’t - that won’t change unless the owner does.

Much better defensive effort today against what was a poor Swinton side who look miles behind Keighley, NWC & Rochdale. Spoke to a few Swinton fans who confirmed this has pretty much been their form this season. The Swinton fan didn’t get thrown out as he took his cap off and hid amongst the Swinton fans when the stewards came but the abuse he was giving the ref was ridiculous. Always find that there’s a few abusive Swinton fans that spoil what are a good bunch. We seemed to give a lot of high shots away today but Swinton player reactions by running in made them seem a lot worse (Butt must have made more yards running in than he did with the ball).

With Oldham Athletic’s relegation into non-league football, likely new ownership & potential inability to fund Boundary Park ground hire then their could be an opportunity to work together to either jointly use the stadium (limited to no financial benefit to either club) or to seek funding for a new smaller community stadium. The big issue is that neither club has any assets, both have small support bases & the Council have blown millions of pounds in the past trying to deliver a new stadium for the sole use of the football club.

Much improved overall performance but a number of unforced errors in possession (whilst attacking) didn’t help. Up until the Rochdale prop got sent off (head but) the game was finely balanced. Rochdale were consistently attacking down the middle and whilst we weren’t dominating we were containing them. After the sending off they threw the ball around and looked the better for it & scored a few tries.

The significant difference being that Australia has historically had huge strength in depth in every position whereas England don’t. The best players (including off the field impact) should always be selected, it’s England’s only hope!

Very good signing to help lead the young lads.