That was the warning from Ronnie Moore, who could not contain his glee at pooping the party at a club where he spent 15 months of misery in 2005-06.
Burst blue balloons were scattered across the Boundary Park forecourt after the game, which began as a festival but soon deflated into familiar depression.
And Moore, who was sacked at the end of the 2005-06 season despite a fire-fighting job which had kept Latics up the previous season, could not contain his glee.
He suffered from living in the shadow which Royle's unprecedented success brought in the early 90s, and he says a dose of reality is now needed.
"Without doubt the nostalgia here makes a manager's job harder," said Moore, whose team opened a four-point gap over Oldham with a Charlie Barnbett strike and a penalty from his son Ian.
"Joe did a magnificent job. Taking this club where he took them was fantastic, but times have changed and it's a pity the supporters haven't changed with them."
John Sheridan was the latest victim of exulted expectation, and Moore was quick to point that out: "Shez going was a surprise, wasn't it? He's another one.
Hype
"Got them to the play-offs, finished eighth last year, never been out of the top six this season, and gets the sack. Maybe they don't want successful managers here. Something is not quite right."
The day had begun as a celebration, of the homecoming of the Messiah, with commentary from the famous day in 1991 when Latics booked their place in the top flight.
But the mood dropped amongst the bumper 7,489 crowd as it became apparent that this is not 1991, and the players out on the park are not Andy Ritchie, Rick Holden and Neil Redfearn.
Royle admitted afterwards that the hype had worried him: "I am so glad to get this week out of the way. I wouldn't have admitted it before, but if you had promised me a draw out of this game, I would have taken it. I could see the build-up of the game, and people's expectations, would make it very hard.
"It wasn't a reality check because the surreal stuff came from other people, not me. But I am certainly not a fan of the pre-match carnival, all the nostalgia."
Now the fuss has died down - or rather been killed by Moore and his Rovers - Royle can knuckle down to the task in hand, beginning with tomorrow night's trip to Cheltenham.
Latics will be without Stefan Stam, who was sent off for a second yellow in conceding the penalty, while there are doubts over Danny Whitaker and Chris Taylor.
Royle is seeking to bring in two more loan players, including a striker.
ON-LOAN Shane Supple gave the Latics kit-man a brief panic after refusing to wear the orange goalkeeper's jersey.
The Dubliner was kitted out with a green shirt, and laughed it off afterwards: "I like green, being Irish, and luckily had a choice."
OLDHAM: Supple 6, Eardley 6, Jones 5, Gregan 6, Stam 5, Whitaker 6 (Kabba 56 mins, 5), Allott 7, Westlake 6, Smalley 5, Taylor 6 (Golbourne 82), Hughes 5
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Royle out! Bring back Ronnie Moore!
ronnie moore has absolutely no right to start criticising a team and a club that he almost ruined with the long ball game and his awful negative tactics. attendaces dipped during his reign & some of those fans havent come back since! all the fans want is a bit of commitment from the players. were not daft & dont expect miracles but championship football is a necessity if your paying £20 per game for the pleasure
Vegas - blue, attend Tameside hospital or Prestwich they may be able to assist you with your brain difficulties.
As for Moore thank god he only comes to Oldham once a year or there would be a riot with his, and his sons, behaviour on Saturday.
Never mind, Oldham will always seem to be their cup final every year being such a small club from Birkenhead or is is Burke and Head the ball as it comes from the sky under Moore's brilliant style of what he calls football.