The second in a run of four games that will go a long way in deciding the Dons fate this season. The first was an excellent win, need to follow that up this weekend and put more distance between the Dons and one of the teams who were fancied to go up

Rochdale will come out of the traps fast in an attempt to put us out of our stride.
We just have to muscle up and dig in for the first 15 minutes.
As soon as we get a couple of tries, they will probably crack and we will put some real distance between us on the scoreboard.
We just have to be aware that they have got to give it a go and try to win or else they are struggling in the promotion race.
That is my only concern, that we may be a bit slap-dash and let them get their confidence back early doors.
Otherwise I see no reason why we can't put 50 by them.

I'm sure that as we have already seen the team have the skills and ability to see off Rochdale. The important battle will be the one in the minds of our players in not taking it for granted that we will beat them again. Complacency is the enemy this week.

This game will be defined by the first 20 minutes. Rochdale will be smarting and now they have to try something new and aggressive in the opening stages. I a not writing them off, they are a handy side who do well at our place.

We should have the psychological edge, unless we are complacent

if they try to work out a plan to stop us playing based on the game plan for last sunday then we just switch to our normal game if you get my drift

I think they will resort to the physical game early doors. They sometimes do with us Ornits.

We need to start as we did last week with Cas and Deano softening them up then let Cookey start throwing the ball about.With our wide pitch and champagne rugby , I reckon we will beat them again.

ive got to say i fancied us to win at rochdale. though i was suprised by the scoreline. i think this week will be a lot tougher.better conditions and a better pitch .and rochdale cant play as bad again (or can they? ) got to keep focused, after all . WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE. and we want to remain there COYD

It's a right shame that the dug-outs are on the other side of the pitch.
We could have had some sport.

about that there's an article here [urlhttp://menmedia.co.uk/rochdaleobserver/sport/rugby_league/rochdale_hornets/s/1492625_stankevitch-pondering-future-at-hornets[/url

seems Stanky is talking about quitting again while at the same time claiming to be massively professional. Funny because I always thought professional's saw out their commitments.

Anyways here's hoping for no complacency and a big win this weekend.

m.thestar.co.uk/sport/rugby-leag ... -1-4514701

m.thestar.co.uk/sport/rugby-leag ... -1-4514701

It's nice to have that kind of selection headache. No mention of Robbo though?

I see that John Bateman the Bradford player who caused Robinsons injury has been banned again (3 matches).

Will Tony change a winning side ?

Good question, he hasn't been afraid to make changes before, he said at the start. of the season he would pick the strongest team for each game. I guess the question is are we going to approach home games with a different game plan to away fixtures. I think there will be a couple of changes, but who knows but TM and his staff. weather may also play a part in his selections

Bookies struggling to agree on the start Rochdale should get on the Handicap Betting ...

Bet365 give them 22 points, BetVictor 18 and Skybet only 16 (all at odds of 10/11 both teams).

Skybets -16 for the Dons gone already, now -18.

Doncaster Rugby League Club will face Rochdale Hornets for the second time in as many weeks in a game that will be played at the Keepmoat Stadium in memory of fallen Doncaster soldier Liam Maughan.

Liam's family will all be attending the game and this will be the third time the club have held a game in Liam's memory since 2010.

Dons' centre Chris Spurr (calf) will face a late fitness test after missing last week's trip to Spotland whilst forwards Mike Emmett and Russ Spiers are both available for selection.

However, Dons' head coach Tony Miller looks unlikely to make too many changes to his side after the win that took them to the top of the league table.

"It was an excellent performance at Spotland last week and it's important that we back it up with another strong performance at the Keepmoat," Miller said.

"Rochdale will be out for revenge and will look to set the record straight so we need to be on the top of our game from the first whistle to the last.

"It's a good feeling to be at the top of the table but there's still a long way to go yet so we won't get carried away."

Hornets' head coach John Stankevitch is hoping to have a treble boost ahead and said: "We're doing it tough at the moment, but Wayne English, Danny Ekis and Jonny Leather could all be back on Sunday."

Rochdale suffered a 38-6 home defeat against the Dons last week, and Stankevitch is hoping for an improved display this week.

He said: "Doncaster were really good value for the win. They played really, really well.

"We had an opportunity in the second half to go 16-12 behind and we bombed it, but if we'd scored that try, then I honestly think the game would have had a different outcome."

The club has planned a special day to remember Liam and will be joined by the army who will form a guard of honour as the player's walk out on to the field.

They will also be giving away free merchandise at the game and have organised a bucket collection to raise funds for The Rifles and Coldstream Guards.

There is also a six-a-side touch rugby competition taking place before the game on the Keepmoat pitch which starts at 11.45am. Fans will need to buy a ticket to get into the stadium if they want to watch the competition - the ticket office is to open at the earlier time of 11.30am.

Humberside Fire and Rescue Service won the tournament last year and will return to defend their title.

Match day ticket prices for the game are as follows:

Adult - £12

Concession - £10

Juniors (5-16) - £2.00

Under 5's - free of charge

The game has a 3pm kick-off and there will be a minute's silence once the players come on to the field.

Make sure you don't miss out on what promises to be a fantastic day of top class rugby league.

Got on the Dons giving up 18 ... now -20.

I can see Tony bringing Spiers back in to give us 2 props on the bench , probably replacing Powley & Emmett replacing Sanderson on the bench .

COYD

Stanky is absolutely spot on - the outcome would have been very different.

It would have been 38 - 12.

Not necessarily.
Class apart, and I think we are better than Rochdale, rugby is a game of momentum.
If Rochdale had added to their 6 points a converted try, as it sounds they could/should have done, it would have been 12-16.
They would have had the momentum and we might have started bricking it. They may well have won narrowly.
As it was we scored instead 2 minutes later to make it 6-20 and they were then struggling.
One score either way can make a big big difference to the complexion of a game and the confidence of players.

Rochdales indiscipline also helped our cause.We got good field position from this and scored 2 or 3 tries from short kicks through.IMO we would have won the game even if Ornits had scored that try.Your right as well SO on last weeks performance we are better than Rochdale.

Anyway the conditions are great for rugby today so far.
I suppose there is time yet for the weather to let itself down.
It seems to be going like that of late.
Mind you after last week would we go better in the rain?


COYD

cracking game of rugby and excellent performance from the lads. Craig Lawton had an outstanding game but for me Craig Fawcett has come on leaps and bounds since forming a partnership with Cookie. Hope Grant and China are ok and credit to Rochdale who never gave up

THAT'S WHY WE'RE TOP OF THE LEAGUE

Entertaining game , Rochdale were in the game early in the 2nd half. Some good forward displays from Cas , Dean & Craig Lawton. Cookie organised the show as usual .
China did some running down the touch line but Grant looked a bit stiff when he came on the pitch at the end.