It is painful to recall our history versus Oldham Athletic; in both league and cup I have no good memories, even though we have not lost every time we have met. A Cup defeat is a coup de grace and when delivered by the hand of opposition like Oldham it seems dismally tragic.
When it comes to cup performances in recent years Oldham have often played a starring role whereas we have rather petered out, perhaps putting up a reasonable show and losing to those of higher rank, but on other occasions slumping miserably like the home defeat by Stevenage or away to Exeter whose next date was Old Trafford. I’d be surprised if any club that has progressed moderately from time to time has had such miserable luck as we have when in the draw for the star teams.
So, can I put all those bad memories behind me? I'm afraid not, but fortunately I will not be playing and most of those who will, won't harbour these dark forebodings.
In the league Oldham have been somewhat below average recently after climbing to 6th earlier on, but of course their performance against Fulham, who only changed half their team from the previous PL match, was very creditable. They got 4 of their 6 shots on goal on target from less than a quarter of the possession compared with 2 out of 22 from Fulham. However, against Macclesfield, 23rd in League 2 last week, they were beaten 2-1 committing twice as many fouls as the meagre 6 at Fulham .
So, as they showed in the last round, they can cope with the big occasion and take their chances.
It seems possible that the Blackburn loanee, Downing, (who played for them a lot in their League 1 promotion season and alongside Butler at Walsall) might be in for Butler, who is suspended. Kane is fit again, but Tyler Smith is cup-tied.
Having listened to McCann's pre-match interview I can add that Oldham defended well against Fulham and whilst I'm sure it will not be a shock if they do win, let us hope that we can (for once) deliver a form-book win. I was pleasantly surprised by the extended highlights of the second half last week when Burton hardly got a look in and surely soon, we will be rewarded for our approach play and those agonisingly close near-misses will start going in.
3-0 then - Wilks/Marquis and 11,000.
DPL FA Cup vs Oldham
posted on 30/1/19
As you all know i am probably the only person that rated mason.
He has won over most of the fans and was probably going to move on one day to a bigger club.
However I feel its going to be difficult if not impossible to stand by him now.
posted on 30/1/19
He's probably breeched his contract. Effectively he is a convicted offender serving a sentence, allbeit suspended. Even if legally he could remain employed At Rovers it would be PR dissaster if they didnt sack him. Given the clubs family and community emphasis.
posted on 30/1/19
I also liked Mason as a player. He spent most of last season playing out of position, doing his best and getting a lot of stick. This season he has shone as our first choice RB - which is to take nothing away from Matty Blair. Mason is a natural athlete and in time would certainly have moved on to a bigger club. It is up to the club, but I suspect he will be sacked.
posted on 31/1/19
Until reading your posts, I had not heard anything about the Mason subject. I'd always thought he had potential, and I now I think he, and Joe Wright, were the most improved players this season. It is sad that we will lose a very good player.
I do not know any details about the accusations, but as he pleaded guilty, it is a little different from the Chad Evans case.
It is interesting there has been no statements from the club - I assume they are evaluating whether they can keep him and still keep a "family friendly" environment.
A very sad day for the Rovers.
posted on 31/1/19
There has been a statement from the club.
In a nutshell it says that there will be no comment while they consider what to do.
posted on 31/1/19
Micky: the press report is at https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/rovers-star-admits-sexually-assaulting-woman-in-doncaster-bar-1-9564376
posted on 31/1/19
What on eàrth is there to consider other than terminating his contract? He pleads guilty to sexual assault and is sentenced and put on the sx offenders register. Its not as if hes going to appeal!
posted on 31/1/19
To answer your question literally Nookie, that is precisely what there is to consider, the terms of his Contract. You might feel that anyone in any kind of employment should lose their job if convicted of a criminal offence, but it does not follow. As I implied originally I do not believe that a criminal conviction is a bar to employment even though in the particular circumstances this kind of employee behaviour is obviously not consistent with the culture and standards of DRFC. That is the question that the club and its advisers will be looking at, assuming that there is no specific breach of the terms of the contract.
posted on 31/1/19
As an employer previously I have employed convicted sx offenders who have served their sentances and been on the sx offenders register. In this case it really doesnt matter what his contract says. Allowing him to continue would be disastrous for DRFC.
posted on 31/1/19
Thanks, Donaldo. I just have the Rovers' page on the Free Press website book-marked. It appears this was on the main news page.