Let's talk about the Oldham Athletic FA cup tie

[richtherover]

I will be glued to the coverage of this game, although sadly the K. O. time here in NZ will be 4. a. m. The lengths we Rovers fans go to! Our recent cup record doesn't fill me with too much hope but hey, we've made it this far and must start as favourites? Means nothing I know but how much would a victory boost the confidence towards the play off challenge? Massive games against Peterborough and Portsmouth coming up and both of these games are definitely winnable. Six points from these 2 games, a win against Oldham and drawn away at Man Utd in the next round would make an old man very happy. Surely we can Dare to Dream?
Rich RTID 

[Metalmicky]

I will be glued to the coverage of this game, although sadly the K. O. time here in NZ will be 4. a. m. The lengths we Rovers fans go to! Our recent cup record doesn't fill me with too much hope but hey, we've made it this far and must start as favourites? Means nothing I know but how much would a victory boost the confidence towards the play off challenge? Massive games against Peterborough and Portsmouth coming up and both of these games are definitely winnable. Six points from these 2 games, a win against Oldham and drawn away at Man Utd in the next round would make an old man very happy. Surely we can Dare to Dream?
Rich RTID 

Whereabouts are you at in NZ Rich.  I've got relatives near Wellington (Karori) who will be watching the game also.  Their from Fife, but since I bought them Rovers tops last year, they have been Rovers 'fans'

[Campsall rover]

Copps is not as effective when he starts on the left of a front 3 which has been the case in most games he started.
When he is moved to a free role which he invariably is during the game, then he becomes outstanding as his creative abilities come to the fore.
We have been most successful when he has come on as a sub over the last 2 months and gone into that free mid field role.
Lots of decisisions for GM to make but it it always a positive when the manager has lots of options at his disposal.

[richtherover]

Hi Micky,
I'm in Auckland, a couple of hundred miles north of Wellington. Great to hear that there are more Rovers fans over here. Our ultimate aim of course is global domination, but maybe we should worry about beating Oldham first.
RTID

[Metalmicky]

Hi Micky,
I'm in Auckland, a couple of hundred miles north of Wellington. Great to hear that there are more Rovers fans over here. Our ultimate aim of course is global domination, but maybe we should worry about beating Oldham first.
RTID

Was in Auckland last year and had a great time.  Particularly enjoyed our trips over to Devenport and Waiheke,  the War Memorial Museum and the pier area..... but we really loved Wellington too - great place to visit - I'm jealous. 

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

I preferred the south island but agree on the islands odd Auckland being superb.

Would love to live out there that's for sure.

[drfchound]

I preferred the south island but agree on the islands odd Auckland being superb.

Would love to live out there that's for sure.

It would be a long way to the KMS every couple of weeks though.

[selby]

 We all know the weather situation in Oldham, I wonder if their supporters realise they may need sun glasses tomorrow, I doubt they are used to it shining over in their neck of the woods.

[wing commander]

On the game itself,i guess the team picks itself apart from the defence...Obviously we have Wright injured and Butler suspended so I think its safe to assume that Anderson and Downing along with Andrews will start but what about right full back.Mason or Blair??

   Now I've said before Blair does a good job there until he comes up against the better league 1 wingers and then he tends to get into trouble and gets found out. Normally I would be wanting a fit again Mason to go straight back in.However Oldham are not that strong down the wings so I would actually stick with Blair because he gives us better attacking options going forward...

   This is a game we need to stamp our authority on early if we can and knock the stuffing out of them,We cant afford to play like we did against Burton in the first half,the longer it goes on the more chance Oldham will think they have of nicking a goal and holding on and they will have a decent following roaring them on...

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Just seen a tweet from Oldham. They've been issued with song sheets and timings. They're very well prepared.

I think the Rovers players might be a bit bemused when the Oldham players stop to break into song! 😂😂

[normal rules]

I’ve seen that. It must be a piss take surely?

[Simpo]

Yes, from a very strange parody account having a go at some young fans who took it upon themselves to try and get an atmosphere going at Oldham home games.

We have some very strange fans.

[Wiltshire Exile]

Just being looking at the Oldham forum re tomorrow’s game:

http://www.owtb.co.uk/topic/50906-doncaster-a/

Blimey, 538 replies, more than 5 times this thread, and nearly 25,000 views compared with our 4,079!

Just saying!

[RedJ]

Cup. Final.

[Wiltshire Exile]

Cup. Final.

Exactly, RedJ!   

[dknward2]

Yeah most are between a few complaining about selling 4 tickets.

Not many really actually talking about the match

[normal rules]

It looks like the demand for tickets from them far outstripped supply.

[dknward2]

Just come to see the rovers

[selby]

  Just the result the team, the club, and importantly the area wanted, hard fought but well deserved, Oldham sticking to the task, with a goalkeeper that had a magnificent game, pulling off some top draw saves to keep them in the game especially before half time.
  Although we made hard work of winning the game, we fully deserved to progress, being the better side for the majority of the game, and if we had taken our chances we would have run out comfortable winners. I have always been an admirer of South American sides, that have not always been the best sides but found a way to win.
   Although as I said we were the best side, this time we found that elusive way to win when time was running out and pressure was mounting, Sometimes it does not matter how you do it, the crowd, the team, and the club can gather momentum from that change in fortune, the light bulb moment when the times we didn't get the win and felt disillusionment is replaced with a collective joy of getting into the next round of the competition.
   Everyone can be proud of the achievement, the crowd led by a full Black Bank equalled  the Oldham fans who themselves were fantastic, the management made changes that came off, and the players did the job of winning, all that matters in knock out competitions. Ben Whiteman looked the complete midfielder,  is having a great season, and on the day was the rock we built on.
   Oldham had a couple of outstanding players, the goalkeeper, and the No 42  had great games and are worth keeping an eye on, making great saves, and the big midfielder breaking up play and looking  to put himself about in the middle of the field.
   A day to remember, lots of youngsters in the crowd who will remember the day, myself looking forward to a pint tonight, a very happy bunny.

[drfchound]

Good post that mate.