 | Forum
Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Burnley U21 - National League Cup
at 22:37 14 Aug 2025
I said it was incredibly repetitive providing examples of how the manager and the team did learn and improve, not that I was fed up doing so. It’s probably some get fed up reading them stated time and again, I’m not sure because I don’t assume.
I don’t mind if people don’t agree with me, because if they do or don’t it will only be because they do or don’t recognise the evidence presented. See the points about Altrincham and Gateshead when they had been brought up alongside going out to win games.
The shortcomings about his in game decision making, in particular in some of the big games were recognised and acknowledged by myself and pretty much everyone. That’s not even up for debate.
The manager himself acknowledged the goalkeeping situation and I too share concerns about the lack of experience (again, have already stated this but will do so again). But from what I’ve seen so far Whatmuff looks to be a good keeper, age not withstanding.
Not sure anyone is using Fitzo’s interview to “support the manager”, more as a useful resource which has detailed information.
Surely we all want to support the manager at this stage?! |
| Forum
Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Burnley U21 - National League Cup
at 20:52 14 Aug 2025
Sorry, no deflection intended wherever that was.
I didn’t offer an opinion on how any of the coaching staff were appointed because it’s not something I’ve really thought about one way or another. Appreciate others may be more interested. I do believe having new voices and ideas was a good move though.
One thing it does do though is actually increase pressure on McNulty because there are now obvious in-house candidates for a future managerial vacancy. |
| Forum
Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Burnley U21 - National League Cup
at 20:29 14 Aug 2025
I don’t think it’s about me being right, because I’m not offering anything that can be disputed, only examples of what has happened over time. It’s incredibly repetitive to keep providing the examples of how he, and the rest of the team, learnt lessons over the season. The improvement in how we became more effective attacking, scoring goals and winning games are there though. You mentioned a winning mentality and Altrincham and Gateshead, the facts are we had a winning mentality against both last season.
His obvious shortcomings in the big games were acknowledged by more or less everyone - at least on here they were. As was the issue about how we started games, which we improved upon… but are we expecting that to be perfect every week?
Ironically one of the most entertaining and positive starts to a game, came in the last one of the season. One where McNulty made obvious errors with substitutions and tactics - again done to death by us all.
There’s nothing new about any of these discussions. The only change is how we’ve improved and where we continue to need to improve. Something pointed out by the managerial team as recently as yesterday. [Post edited 14 Aug 20:33]
|
| Forum
Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Burnley U21 - National League Cup
at 17:46 14 Aug 2025
Don’t know anyone who thinks the manager doesn’t have to improve. He’s probably aware of this himself, but I don’t like guessing at what people might think. I believe it’s best to go off actual evidence - see Fitzo’s interview.
Like the evidence that in five games against Altrincham and Gateshead last season we won them all, indicating that he sent his team out to win them. So there’s no reason to believe anything will change this time around. Especially with the continued progression in how we play. |
| Forum
Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Burnley U21 - National League Cup
at 12:24 14 Aug 2025
It’s a good job that we’ve experienced plenty of good displays and wins last season, especially in the run in, with an obvious change in effectiveness with additions. That’s been built upon since.
Would we all want that for 90 minutes? Of course, but there’s a realism attached. Taylor’s interview hinted at what more the management want from the players when it comes to speed of attacks and the list of examples of when we do that are there for all to see.
The bigger problem now is the game management when it matters and whether that can be addressed. Because we all saw how a fantastically entertaining game against Southend ended up when some awful subs left us baffled and ultimately beaten. |
| Forum
Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Burnley U21 - National League Cup
at 21:34 13 Aug 2025
Burnley kicked it out so we could make the sub. Not sure if our kick off routine has been discussed yet, but we start with both wingback on the half way line and they join the three forwards as the ball goes straight back to the keeper for a long ball forward. Immediately ensuring we are in the opposition half with numbers. |
| Forum
Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Burnley U21 - National League Cup
at 18:54 13 Aug 2025
Jason Taylor mentioned in his interview that we looked “messy” today and also went on to say that we could have moved it quicker on Saturday too.
Have watched the goals, another cross and header for the winner. We are a real threat from that area now. |
| Forum
Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Burnley U21 - National League Cup
at 17:14 13 Aug 2025
As much as we all welcome the additions that have obviously strengthened the squad, think we could end up missing out on seeing Burger develop as a top quality midfielder. Never failed to impress when he played there last season and offered something totally different to East and Gilmour who both looked better playing alongside him.
Don’t expect him to feature much this campaign though which is a shame. |
| Forum
Reply | 🎥 Live Screening: Boreham Wood v Rochdale AFC
at 07:51 11 Aug 2025
Charles Hughes! Let’s get the grass longer in the corners and get John Beck in as a technical advisor too.
The highlights from Saturday have enough evidence of what the manager believes is effective. |
| Forum
Reply | 🎥 Live Screening: Boreham Wood v Rochdale AFC
at 20:13 10 Aug 2025
Yeah, and there was nowt wrong with closing down! It’s the obsession to make it a specific tactic that is focused on so much now that I don’t understand. By playing the way we can, it shows what the opposition do shouldn’t matter as much. |
| Forum
Reply | 🎥 Live Screening: Boreham Wood v Rochdale AFC
at 19:14 10 Aug 2025
Watch the first goal on Boreham Wood’s YouTube. It illustrates the effectiveness of how we play when we get it right. The keeper’s position included. Have never been an advocate of “beating the press” or even “pressing” full stop. It’s all modern nonsense to me, just find a way of finding areas of the pitch to cause problems.
It’s a good set of highlights which show how we are adapting how we play. Being able to go into Dieseruvwe when keeping the ball around the area resulting in the second. |
| Forum
Reply | 🎥 Live Screening: Boreham Wood v Rochdale AFC
at 16:39 10 Aug 2025
The idea is to bring more opposition players nearer the ball, then going into a striker or even in behind the defence for someone to run onto. The space is further up the pitch.
It’s an alternative to playing through midfield and more direct. We did if effectively with Bird last season and Dieseruvwe at times yesterday. |
| Forum
Reply | 🎥 Live Screening: Boreham Wood v Rochdale AFC
at 14:14 10 Aug 2025
The first goal was a direct ball for the back for Rodney to run onto which then opened up space for Beckwith to exploit after a really good pass by Pritchard. One of the reasons space is condensed the way we play out is to enable there to be more room to exploit when there’s a direct ball into the forwards.
The second goal was passing the ball in the last third before going into Dieseruvwe’s feet so he could shift it and shoot.
We have options in the way we choose to play, and we are utilising them. It won’t always be perfect, but that’s down to form and accepting individuals won’t always get it right. However, it’s obvious the players are given the opportunity to choose how they look to get through opposition defences. Yesterday it worked. |
| Forum
Reply | 🎥 Live Screening: Boreham Wood v Rochdale AFC
at 20:17 9 Aug 2025
Good win. Even first half, Dale maybe went direct a bit too much at times but we were the only ones troubling the goalkeeper. They caused us some problems between wing back and central defenders.
Two quality strikes from a no.9 who was an outlet all day and then some good defending to get a clean sheet. The subs proved how much quality we have in the squad with all doing well, especially Allarakhia who could be a real threat late in games when replacing Pritchard as the opposition tire. All the replacements were made at the right time and it helped ensure we took home the points.
It’s only Day 1 but I think we’ve already seen how pressure and change may affect the two teams that finished above us last season, whereas we appear to have only added to a good base. |
| Forum
Reply | Expectations for the season
at 18:16 8 Aug 2025
Yep, hence the two questions. Some may have different answers to the two but at least we’ll have an idea of what fans think “par” is. |
| | 442Dale
|
Site Scores| Forum Votes: | 3799 | | Comment Votes: | 0 | | Prediction League: | 0 | | TOTAL: | 3799 |
|
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.