OLDHAM travel to Doncaster this weekend with February’s narrow 28-26 defeat to the South Yorkshire club fresh in the mind.
Dons, who only took the lead in the remaining few minutes, came back from three scores down after 20 minutes as they progressed through to the Challenge Cup 3rd round.
Roughyeds were without hooker Matty Wilkinson, who has been a key player with four try assists to his name already.
Kian Morgan and Emmerson Whittel were also missing — two men who were stand-out performers last year.
After celebrating the 56-16 victory over Rochdale Hornets at the weekend, it has been back to business as usual this week as Littler prepares for the challenge of Doncaster.
“There’s learning points from every game and, at times, I think we invited Rochdale back in with a couple of penalties,” he said.
“We will rip the video to pieces and look at everything to have the boys ready this weekend.
“We’ve got a tough challenge, and we enjoyed our victory over our local rivals, but now the focus is on getting a victory at Doncaster.”
Eleven of Doncaster’s tries this season have come from their second-rowers, so Oldham will have to continue to be strong in defence.
Sam Smeaton is the Dons’ current top try scorer with seven and Brett Ferres, the former 2017 Super League Grand Final winner with Leeds Rhinos, has also been in good form scoring four tries.
Since the Dons defeat, head coach Stuart Littler has put plenty of work into getting Roughyeds’ line defence correct, which showed in the win over North Wales who were restricted to one consolation score late on.
Oldham have blown sides away this year and have already amassed 136 points in League 1, so far.
In four out of Doncaster’s six wins in all competitions this year, the winning margin has been less than two scores.
One side will have to forfeit their 100% record on Sunday in this top of the table clash.
Tickets for the 3pm kick off at the Eco Power Stadium, are priced at £12 for adults and £1 for ages 16 and under.
They can be purchased at tickets.clubdoncaster.co.uk .
