oldham maxonian

These late fixture changes are a damned nuisance - as it happens, am already committed elsewhere on the Saturday, so that will be 2 spectators down for Midlands. Why can they not decide date BEFORE fixtures are published?

I agree with much of the comment - but we do need a bit more honesty. The pre-season claim was that we had assembled a mid-table championship squad - but the last two games proved conclusively that we have not. Re the priority that any sensible coach at this level ought to give to defence, there is individual error - eg Aldridge's naivity in giving away Harris' early try at York, and then Craven's complete cop-out late in the first half in mid-field. But there is also much more importantly the issue of effective defensive team structure. Sean Long was a fantastic attacking half-back, but participation in his side's defensive structure was not generally regarded as very high among his attributes - and I have so far seen no evidence that he can coach what is required in this vital aspect of the game. We looked in the past two games likely to concede each time either Swinton or York had possession in our 'red zone'. But there is more to concern us, I suggest. Was it really part of the game plan to keep kicking early - in one case, on the first tackle! - to give York possession so they could exert even more pressure on our leaky defence than they were already? If so, how naive! If not, then who took it upon himself to commit the idiocy? And what about the team selection? The loss of Kopczak's powerful drives, Moran's consistency in doing all the standard prop jobs, and particularly Taylor's fantastic defensive efforts were things no side could easily overcome. But, surely, against a seasoned top-end Championship side, what was required was as much experience and size as we could muster? Instead we opt for little youngsters at wing and hooker, playing our previously outstanding hooker out of position, ignoring the possibility of experience in Whittel and the size and powerful youthful commitment of Hirst in the back row, and seemingly punishing our biggest and most powerful winger for admittedly a couple of poor errors at Swinton by leaving him out when his qualities could have been just what was wanted at York. To me, the judgement is definitely out!

What a superb evening - very positive by both Mike Ford and Stuart Littler to begin with from the top table, and then a whole range of constructive questions from the pretty full floor, all of which were directly addressed by the different directors who responded. A great follow-up to Sunday's game! One question from the floor asked what the ordinary supporter can do to help. Could I humbly suggest - I have to admit to being an official of the organisation! - that joining Rugby Oldham, if you are not already one of our extremely committed members, is one positive action to take. The Supporters' Trust has been supportive of all elements of RL in the town for nearly 20 years now, and its philosophy is very much in line with that avowed by the new board. The stronger is the Trust the more support we can give to the game, as well as the club, we all want to see prosper.