The Dons take on the bottom side in a game that must provide a good opportunity to boost our points difference.

After last weekend's defeat, where do we stand? Do we think Dewsbury are going to win the league and we're in a race for second or can we realistically catch them?

Dews: 8 16 +247
Dons: 7 12 +88
Oldh: 6 10 +124
Huns: 6 8 +136
Work: 7 8 -14
Roch: 7 6 -73
Midl: 6 4 -48
Corn: 6 1 -173
NWal: 6 0 -78
Lond: 7 0 -209

Other weekend games: Rochdale v Cornwall; Hunslet v Workington; Midlands v N Wales and Oldham v Dewsbury.

So, do we want Dewsbury to beat Oldham to keep Oldham nicely beneath us or do we want Oldham to win as that means we'd have a better chance of catching Dewsbury?

As much as promition is our aim, I think winning the league is really important. You know four weeks sooner that you're going up which means you can get in the transfer market to sign players earlier. Having to wait until after the play-off final means you've less options as more players will already be under contracts at that point.

Our points difference isn't very clever at the moment. I'd like to see us win by at least 50 this weekend - staying focussed for the full 80 minutes - giving nothing away and settling for nothing less than a demolition job!

I wouldn't mind Workington beating Hunslet as I see Hunslet as much more of a threat than Workington. Hunslet only lost 12-6 at Dewsbury recently.

The problem with our history is that there is little room for optimism. We have not run up points against the lower sides to the extent that our rivals have so I personally have no faith that we can close on Dewsbury's for and against column.
The match at Oldham this Sunday is a huge indicator as to Oldhams intentions and they are saying its a sell out crowd. The problem with that is the limited capacity to the venue and the fact that the admission is free for all, so in essence its an headline grab and nothing more.

Do I think we can win the league no I don't, if we had gained the win at Dewsbury then that's another matter, but as well as we played we came up (yet again) short when it truly mattered. I have read numerous comments that we can beat Dewsbury at home, maybe we can but the last game of the regular season IMO will not decide the League winners. My fervent hope is that at best we secure the elusive home games for the playoffs.

I have got my ticket...
I will go along with the rose tinted and see where it leads...but I reckon we are in the lap of the gods AGAIN!

Squad for Sunday:

[urlhttps://www.doncasterrugbyleague.co.uk/article/1427/news-|-squad-announced-for-london-game[/url

First game of the season for us, looking forward to it.

Looks like the sun is going to shine - it should be a good day out with plenty of tries to cheer about!

Hope you enjoy it!

Skybet ...

Dons -40 10/11
London +40 5/6
Handicap Draw 25/1

Bet365 ...

Dons -40 10/11
London +40 10/11
Handicap Draw 16/1

My aim would be to win by more than 50 today. On a warm day with a wide pitch, we should be able to wear them out by throwing the ball around once the forwards get on top.

Anyone taking the -40?

FT Dons 60 London Skolars 30

The visitors with 24 points in the last 15 minutes after a one-sided first hour.

Today's game wasn't about winning, it was about improving our points difference - which is already much worse than our rivals.

After virtually scoring a point a minute in the first half, we should have pressed on to win by at least 50.

Winning by 30 is very poor. If I was the coach I would be livid.

Our performance in the last 20 minutes was way below what it should have been. We lost focus and as a result could pay a hefty price at the end of the season if our points difference either costs us automatic promotion or home advantage in the play-offs.

Disappointed.

Absolutely on the money DM. And that is the difference between promotion and nearly promotion. Connor Robinson in the form of his life (in a Dons shirt) just different class from any other player on the pitch and we mess and bugger about in the last 20 to such an extent that wipes out his contribution. Bloody shameful and don't anyone come the wins a win rubbish. We had a real chance to put some points difference on and blew it.

Exactly right, Wilf.

I'm the first person to stick up for the players as I have a huge amount of respect them but they let themselves down today. They got caught up in skirmishes that proved a distraction - and possibly provided motivation for London. We conceded two tries when London had 12 men - that shouldn't happen.

When you have a lop-sided league like ours, a win against the lesser lights has to be judged by the level of dominance, two points is a given - it's all about how your points diff is boosted. We blew a great opportunity. The other worry is that if London can do this to us in the last 20 minutes, we're showing vulnerabilities I thought we didn't have.

Connor Robinson took a box of dummies onto the field and London bought all of them! He's been great all season.

I'll be interested to see what Richard Horne has to say. If he's not extremely disappointed, I'll be disappointed in him.

My first question to him would be, "Did you have an objective to win by a certain number of points today?"

If the answer was no, the next question would be "Why not?"

We won 30-0 (effectively) against a side in freefall....I went..I walked out...comedy gold.
I went to see Joshua Veacock...he played a blinder and our crap coach took him off...comedy gold.
I have little urgency to return after that.
Looked like nobody was in charge of operations...we just sort of turn up and try our best....jumpers for goal posts.
We should be formidable with those players...we are less than the sum of our parts .
Totally p*ssed off with that effort.

The Stand Offish Walk ... I remember that