A good win for Rovers against a physically strong Oldham side. While at the time it didn't seem like we had the bulk of the possession (54%) they didn't test Fon Williams much, while the Whites had a few chances to add to the lead, notably the McGurk header onto the bar. The 4 minutes of stoppage time, which morphed into 6 was a bit tense, but we held out for the 3 points.
Defensively did a good job, despite Goodi and Raven not being at their best. Buchanan was good, though there were a couple of times when his inability to use his right-foot slowed things. OFN mostly sound, save one really weak punch near the end. However would agree Ash was excellent here, my MoM too.
Further forward, bit of a mixed bag. Welsh had a decent game on the whole, making some good block-tackles and actually tested their keeper with a free-kick, but passes went astray. Weir and Baxter drifted in and out of the game, Jose further up the field than the Bournemouth game showed some nice touches. Disagree with DIW over McGurk, who I thought played well, highlighted by nearly scoring at one end, then tracking back to defend at the other. Akins was really entertaining, couple of great step-overs, also running onto throw-ins into space and some good ball into the box. The defensive coaches won't be so keen on the pass-backs into the penalty area though.
Enoch still seems out of sorts, though has a claim on the goal, as his touch took it away from the keeper. I would have given Mustafa more time on the pitch, though still feel we may be better served trying Lucas or Adam up front. Also felt that putting Max on so late was a booking or sending-off waiting to happen, at that time in the game introducing Zoum rather than a young lad wanting to get himself noticed would have made more sense.
Disappointing crowd of 5117, only a handful more than Yeovil and more than 2k down on last season's opener, despite over a thousand travelling fans. The Kop seems particularly sparsely filled since going back to opening both parts. Kop was fairly quiet in the first half, where most of the singing seemed to be led from the Main Stand of all places, though perked up, as did the whole ground in the second. However if we're getting crowds of this size for the nearest thing to a derby on a nice day, then expect a few crowds of only 3k against southern sides in winter.