| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 20:30 - Oct 2 with 1797 views | wheniwasyourage |
“We’ve played like champions for most of the season. On reflection, both defeats were down to our own decisions. Credit to Halifax—they beat what was in front of them.
Squad rotation is a challenge. We’re not yet at a point where we can rest three players at once, let alone more. Sometimes you wonder whether to take players off if you’re three goals up early, but that can change the rhythm and momentum. It’s a fine balance.
What I will say is this: I’m pretty sure that for Saturday’s game our players will be 100% motivated. They’ll be looking to put the record straight, to come back with a massive bounce. Maybe this setback turns out to be a blessing in disguise—who knows?” |  | |  |
| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 10:16 - Oct 3 with 1361 views | Dalenet |
| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 14:16 - Oct 2 by TalkingSutty |
EEL and Rodney could play though. The manager decided to field a weakened team against Halifax who had lost one game in nine and won three on the spin. Both games we have lost have been down to McNulty changing a winning team and lets not forget that most of the players have only started ten league games up to now. Less for Rodney and EEL. If he's citing fatigue already then it makes you wonder why their fitness levels are so low. We've just moved out of September, why do players need a rest, why did they all need resting against Brackley? FGR didn't rest players last night in preperation for Saturdays game. I get it that some wont have a bad word said against the manager but we've handicapped ourselves before a ball has been kicked in our two losses. [Post edited 2 Oct 15:00]
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I am more glass half full. It is down to McNulty that we have won 9 out of 11 games this season and have more points per game than any other club in this division. He has attracted some great players to strengthen his squad. He has sought support from the Board to strengthen the coaching team. We were all crying out for Jim to have experience around him to help him with key decisions. After all the dross we have witnessed over the past 5 seasons, I am surprisngly upbeat and the manager has really surprised me. So well done McNulty.
As I made my long journey home at 1am after a defeat I would normally be quite miserable. More so given the M62 closure. But instead I had thoroughly enjoyed the game and the pressing in the second half against a very well organised and resolute side. It was a great advert for football at this level. We are a quarter a way through the season, second in the table with games in hand. No criticism of the manager from me. More of the same please Jim. |  | | |
| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 10:55 - Oct 3 with 1311 views | samueloneils |
| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 08:04 - Oct 2 by TalkingSutty |
Agree with that. We rested three players from the win at Carlisle who will all start at FGR. We changed a rock solid defence and rested our captain for a local derby. Dropping Rodney also impacted Mani and made the defensive task much easier for Halifax. Played with one recognised forward. So that had a double whammy effect. The rested players weren't injured or ill, they wouldn't have been on the bench had that been the case. So a weakened starting eleven and done deliberately by the manager with one eye on Saturdays game. We are now in a situation where we could easily lose two games on the spin. These players have only played 10 games and most are rotated so don't play the full minutes. Last night was a local derby but it wasn't treated like one, the manager gave Halifax a leg up and we self harmed yet again instead of being ruthless and concentrating on the game in front of us. We ended up chasing the game after a first half that again saw us revert to defenders passing the ball amongst themselves and slowing the game to walking pace. Gordon and Hogan being the main culprits. It's a shame because we were great at Carlisle and yet again we have stopped momentum and missed out on a chance of going to the top of the league. McNulty needs to toughen up and find a ruthless streak and stop treating the players like babies who constantly need protecting. He's like a mother hen with his chicks. [Post edited 2 Oct 8:21]
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Ethan E-L is 32 years old and in my opinion is playing the best football since his Shrewsbury days.
Devante Rodney is 27 years old and again is playing his best football since he came to us.
Does this make them so important that they need to be treated as fragile?
They are seasoned professional footballers playing at the height of their skills in a successful side. They both have had fitness issues but I feel sure they want to play every minute.
Hendo is 40 and Mani Dieseruvwe is 30 years old, and he is certainly playing his best ever football. Surely none of them need to be wrapped in cotton wool so early in the season.
I accept Jim sees them every day, but with the substitutes we now have in the squad, he can afford to ease them during a game if necessary. | | | |
| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 11:31 - Oct 3 with 1250 views | TalkingSutty |
| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 10:16 - Oct 3 by Dalenet |
I am more glass half full. It is down to McNulty that we have won 9 out of 11 games this season and have more points per game than any other club in this division. He has attracted some great players to strengthen his squad. He has sought support from the Board to strengthen the coaching team. We were all crying out for Jim to have experience around him to help him with key decisions. After all the dross we have witnessed over the past 5 seasons, I am surprisngly upbeat and the manager has really surprised me. So well done McNulty.
As I made my long journey home at 1am after a defeat I would normally be quite miserable. More so given the M62 closure. But instead I had thoroughly enjoyed the game and the pressing in the second half against a very well organised and resolute side. It was a great advert for football at this level. We are a quarter a way through the season, second in the table with games in hand. No criticism of the manager from me. More of the same please Jim. |
Yes, it is down to McNulty that we've won 9 out of 11 games and he deserves full credit for that. I think he is culpable for our two defeats though due to his team selection and have criticised him for it. It doesn't make me a bad person for having that opinion. Others see it differently. Life isn't all fluffy white clouds. I think we gave both Brackley and Halifax a leg up by deliberately fielding a weakened team against them. I think McNulty's done great in the other games though. You're perfectly entitled not to critice him and he does have his reasons for doing what he does. [Post edited 3 Oct 11:53]
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| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 12:09 - Oct 3 with 1191 views | D_Alien |
| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 10:16 - Oct 3 by Dalenet |
I am more glass half full. It is down to McNulty that we have won 9 out of 11 games this season and have more points per game than any other club in this division. He has attracted some great players to strengthen his squad. He has sought support from the Board to strengthen the coaching team. We were all crying out for Jim to have experience around him to help him with key decisions. After all the dross we have witnessed over the past 5 seasons, I am surprisngly upbeat and the manager has really surprised me. So well done McNulty.
As I made my long journey home at 1am after a defeat I would normally be quite miserable. More so given the M62 closure. But instead I had thoroughly enjoyed the game and the pressing in the second half against a very well organised and resolute side. It was a great advert for football at this level. We are a quarter a way through the season, second in the table with games in hand. No criticism of the manager from me. More of the same please Jim. |
It's down to McNulty, Taylor and Done that we've won 9 out of 11 league games
I credit the manager with - as you say - having the sense to bring in the help he really needed to take the playing side to another level
I doubt the final team selection on matchday is a joint decision though. Once he stops making poor calls we can be even stronger [Post edited 3 Oct 12:15]
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| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 13:12 - Oct 3 with 1099 views | 442Dale |
| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 10:16 - Oct 3 by Dalenet |
I am more glass half full. It is down to McNulty that we have won 9 out of 11 games this season and have more points per game than any other club in this division. He has attracted some great players to strengthen his squad. He has sought support from the Board to strengthen the coaching team. We were all crying out for Jim to have experience around him to help him with key decisions. After all the dross we have witnessed over the past 5 seasons, I am surprisngly upbeat and the manager has really surprised me. So well done McNulty.
As I made my long journey home at 1am after a defeat I would normally be quite miserable. More so given the M62 closure. But instead I had thoroughly enjoyed the game and the pressing in the second half against a very well organised and resolute side. It was a great advert for football at this level. We are a quarter a way through the season, second in the table with games in hand. No criticism of the manager from me. More of the same please Jim. |
The enjoyment factor was what I took from the game too. After so many years of turning up and watching poor teams get poor results we now have a good team well worth watching. One which had started the season better than any other in the club’s history.
Saying that, I’m totally with TS about everyone having different opinions; we can only feel as we do as individuals. Also agree with the criticism of the team selection, I wouldn’t have left out Rodney from the start either as said previously.
But yeah, although the result was disappointing on Tuesday, we have a team that has now been successfully competing at the top end of the table for a season and a quarter, and we’ve seen lots of entertaining games. Have some matches been rubbish? Of course. But then again that’s lower division football.
Tuesday was a cracking game, despite my frustrations, I’ll take a defeat like that every so often if we are still in the top three. Others might not, but that’s their choice! |  |
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| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 16:12 - Oct 3 with 945 views | TalkingSutty |
| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 13:12 - Oct 3 by 442Dale |
The enjoyment factor was what I took from the game too. After so many years of turning up and watching poor teams get poor results we now have a good team well worth watching. One which had started the season better than any other in the club’s history.
Saying that, I’m totally with TS about everyone having different opinions; we can only feel as we do as individuals. Also agree with the criticism of the team selection, I wouldn’t have left out Rodney from the start either as said previously.
But yeah, although the result was disappointing on Tuesday, we have a team that has now been successfully competing at the top end of the table for a season and a quarter, and we’ve seen lots of entertaining games. Have some matches been rubbish? Of course. But then again that’s lower division football.
Tuesday was a cracking game, despite my frustrations, I’ll take a defeat like that every so often if we are still in the top three. Others might not, but that’s their choice! |
Another thing that needs highlighting is the atmosphere around the ground this season. The Pearl Street stand in particular has been better than ever i think and the introduction of the singing section/ ultras in U Block has transformed the matchday experience, i say that as one of the older supporters. The 1907 group who have erected the flags and banners around the stadium also deserve a lot of credit, it looks like our home now. Atmosphere is generated by what happens out on the pitch though and the players have been great. McNulty deserves a lot of credit for some very good recruitment and putting together such a likeable bunch of players who the fans can really connect with. I'd urge any young fans who aren't already season card holders for the Pearl Street to make the swap and boost the numbers for next season. Let's fill the stand and generate some noise. [Post edited 3 Oct 16:14]
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| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 17:09 - Oct 3 with 859 views | 442Dale |
| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 16:12 - Oct 3 by TalkingSutty |
Another thing that needs highlighting is the atmosphere around the ground this season. The Pearl Street stand in particular has been better than ever i think and the introduction of the singing section/ ultras in U Block has transformed the matchday experience, i say that as one of the older supporters. The 1907 group who have erected the flags and banners around the stadium also deserve a lot of credit, it looks like our home now. Atmosphere is generated by what happens out on the pitch though and the players have been great. McNulty deserves a lot of credit for some very good recruitment and putting together such a likeable bunch of players who the fans can really connect with. I'd urge any young fans who aren't already season card holders for the Pearl Street to make the swap and boost the numbers for next season. Let's fill the stand and generate some noise. [Post edited 3 Oct 16:14]
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The U Block have been excellent, as they were when in the Sandy although the move has really paid off. The atmosphere at games has been pretty good for the last couple of seasons as more younger fans have started to attend regularly, and any issues with behaviour seem to have been sorted. Long may it continue.
The Sandy is still reasonably well populated and there’s good backing in there too, albeit from an older direction!
Attending games had been enjoyable in recent times, even when results go badly. Much more like days of old. | |
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| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 17:39 - Oct 3 with 785 views | TVOS1907 |
| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 17:09 - Oct 3 by 442Dale |
The U Block have been excellent, as they were when in the Sandy although the move has really paid off. The atmosphere at games has been pretty good for the last couple of seasons as more younger fans have started to attend regularly, and any issues with behaviour seem to have been sorted. Long may it continue.
The Sandy is still reasonably well populated and there’s good backing in there too, albeit from an older direction!
Attending games had been enjoyable in recent times, even when results go badly. Much more like days of old. |
And at least we've been able to do more celebrating than the away fans. |  |
| A wise man would be able to self-analyse and perhaps understand. |
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| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 18:32 - Oct 3 with 701 views | dingdangblue |
| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 10:55 - Oct 3 by samueloneils |
Ethan E-L is 32 years old and in my opinion is playing the best football since his Shrewsbury days.
Devante Rodney is 27 years old and again is playing his best football since he came to us.
Does this make them so important that they need to be treated as fragile?
They are seasoned professional footballers playing at the height of their skills in a successful side. They both have had fitness issues but I feel sure they want to play every minute.
Hendo is 40 and Mani Dieseruvwe is 30 years old, and he is certainly playing his best ever football. Surely none of them need to be wrapped in cotton wool so early in the season.
I accept Jim sees them every day, but with the substitutes we now have in the squad, he can afford to ease them during a game if necessary. |
Jim mentioned post match there was a bit of sickness in the camp - whether that had affected EEL who knows? He also said he'd been 'advised' to only give Rodney 45 mins - I presume that is either doctors or the club fitness/physio team? And was because of Saturday/Wednesday/Saturday games. |  |
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| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 22:03 - Oct 3 with 560 views | pioneer |
| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 18:32 - Oct 3 by dingdangblue |
Jim mentioned post match there was a bit of sickness in the camp - whether that had affected EEL who knows? He also said he'd been 'advised' to only give Rodney 45 mins - I presume that is either doctors or the club fitness/physio team? And was because of Saturday/Wednesday/Saturday games. |
So give him the first 45 minutes…we completely dominated carlisle in the first half. We could have gone in at half time with the lead, or at least level instead of waiting until we were chasing the game in the second half to use his 45 minutes.
Changing the starting 11 made no sense at all. | | | |
| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 22:31 - Oct 3 with 517 views | 442Dale |
| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 22:03 - Oct 3 by pioneer |
So give him the first 45 minutes…we completely dominated carlisle in the first half. We could have gone in at half time with the lead, or at least level instead of waiting until we were chasing the game in the second half to use his 45 minutes.
Changing the starting 11 made no sense at all. |
Didn’t McNulty also say the plan was for McBride to only play 45 mins as well? Not sure of the reasons for that, but if we were not changing the starting team from Carlisle, wouldn’t that mean both having to come off at half time?
And again, where was the consternation when Barlow was left out after starting four wins in a row?
(Note: again not saying I would have left Rodney out either. This is about having a consistent argument against changes) | |
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| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 22:35 - Oct 3 with 504 views | TVOS1907 |
| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 22:31 - Oct 3 by 442Dale |
Didn’t McNulty also say the plan was for McBride to only play 45 mins as well? Not sure of the reasons for that, but if we were not changing the starting team from Carlisle, wouldn’t that mean both having to come off at half time?
And again, where was the consternation when Barlow was left out after starting four wins in a row?
(Note: again not saying I would have left Rodney out either. This is about having a consistent argument against changes) |
Also, Berkoe came in for Allarakhia last Saturday despite the 4-1 win over Solihull, and then they swapped out again on Wednesday.
I read somewhere someone saying we'd left three regular out against Fax. Last Saturday was Berkoe's first league start! | |
| A wise man would be able to self-analyse and perhaps understand. |
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| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 22:46 - Oct 3 with 485 views | 442Dale |
| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 22:35 - Oct 3 by TVOS1907 |
Also, Berkoe came in for Allarakhia last Saturday despite the 4-1 win over Solihull, and then they swapped out again on Wednesday.
I read somewhere someone saying we'd left three regular out against Fax. Last Saturday was Berkoe's first league start! |
Joe Pritchard had a great game at Boreham Wood on the opening day, his role in breaking the deadlock was vital. He was left out the following week and Allarakhia came in to score twice against Altrincham.
Sometimes changes work, sometimes they don’t. I was wrong about being disappointed not to see Pritchard start that day, even after Allarakhia struggle a bit defensively before his equaliser. It’s expected that changes will be debated more after a defeat, but they’ve been done with the same intention - to win the games.
The Brackley anomaly can’t, in my opinion, be defended though. Not leaving some of the core players in was a big error and didn’t make much sense. | |
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| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 00:47 - Oct 4 with 377 views | TalkingSutty |
| Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town on 18:32 - Oct 3 by dingdangblue |
Jim mentioned post match there was a bit of sickness in the camp - whether that had affected EEL who knows? He also said he'd been 'advised' to only give Rodney 45 mins - I presume that is either doctors or the club fitness/physio team? And was because of Saturday/Wednesday/Saturday games. |
No problems with that but if both need wrapping in cotton wool then it's created a big problem. Both are influentual players in our squad who the manager has deemed can only start four or five games without being rested. The Ogden family therefore need to recruit two players who are on a par or are superior, we have nobody in our current squad who can match them. EEL.has been very good since his injury and Rodney has the X Factor. Do the players have the problem or the manager, is he too soft? These are grown men, professional footballers, stop treating them like young kids and telling them that they're tired. Footballers can get injured at any time, why is he second guessing what might happen and jeopordising our chances of winning games by resting players? Managers don't do that and his coaches are as bad for condoning it. Injuries are part and parcel of the game, trying to protect the players against injuries is nice but its cost us points already this season when he's deciding not to field his strongest available team...twice! We're only eight weeks into the season.
[Post edited 4 Oct 8:23]
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