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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Burnley U21 - National League Cup
at 22:39 14 Aug 2025
Re: Cardiff... "gargantuan" - well, i know equivalent clubs such as Leicester or Nottm Forest in terms of infrastructure are pretty huge compared to Dale, but he's pretty good at over-egging the pudding and not sure why
No-one's questioning the value of the interview, which goes far beyond anything club employees are able to put to him during pre- post-match interviews, but we don't have to take it like a "Moses coming down from the mountain with his tablets of stone" either
Yep, roll on Saturday, because football matches are what he'll be judged on, just as he always has been |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Burnley U21 - National League Cup
at 21:16 14 Aug 2025
It's good to see agreement on that last point. One of the points constantly made whenever dissatisfaction was being expressed about McNulty before now was: who else, then?
If we're performing to the level the investment made in the squad requires, we're all happy bunnies. I'm happy to see potential succession planning in place. McNulty's bigging-up of Cardiff (how many seasons in the Premier League?) as a way of expressing the loss of Gibbins says something about the coaching shake-up that... goes otherwise unsaid |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Burnley U21 - National League Cup
at 20:40 14 Aug 2025
But your earlier deflection missed the point i was making. Perhaps i didn't make it clearly enough, so i'll have another try:
It matters whether JM initiated the introduction of Taylor and Done to the coaching setup, or whether this was instigated by others at the club
This isn't addressed in the Fitzo interview (which is no reflection on the high quality of the interview)
Why does it matter? Well, the club needed to replace Gibbins, and bringing in Taylor and Done certainly strengthens the coaching setup and McNulty seems to welcome it
Being respected former players, if they perceive shortfalls in McNulty's approach, their ideas could potentially undermine his own. Taylor in particular doesn't appear to be anyone's "Yes man". If they're handpicked by McNulty, he can own that, but if not and they were headhunted by others within the setup, there's potential for disagreement. Now that can be healthy, depending on receptivity but McNulty goes out of his way to emphasise his core philosophy
I really hope it all works well and we see the necessary improvements. bringing in better players and a larger squad will help of course. If not, there's now at least one ready-made replacement for the role of head coach operating in the coaching set-up, and i'd be surprised if McNulty isn't fully aware of that |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Burnley U21 - National League Cup
at 19:02 14 Aug 2025
None of us would survive unless we took notice (in context) of what people don't say. Or, to frame it another way, only took notice of what they say
It's something we all do, to a greater or lesser extent [Post edited 14 Aug 19:05]
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Burnley U21 - National League Cup
at 14:56 14 Aug 2025
Tbf, McNulty's comments on Taylor and Done don't give any indication of the process of how they were recruited, i.e. did he go to the Ogdens to explore the recruitment, was it as a result of a conversation begun by the Ogdens, factoring in the departure of Gibbins (whilst calling Cardiff a "gargantuan" club who're playing at a level below their status...!)
He tells Fitzo he's happy with the value they'll add to managing the team and the squad, but that's not what i was asking |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Burnley U21 - National League Cup
at 12:36 14 Aug 2025
Speaking of Taylor, and Done, it'd be fascinating at some point to find out the rationale and moves behind the scenes for their recruitment
If it was something JM had sought after his "reflections" upon last season, well done to him; or had those who're backing the club financially reflected upon their experiences and decided fresh thinking was required, without upsetting any applecarts? Could be a combo of both, and hopefully was. In either case, the personnel couldn't have been more attuned to the task in hand
By coincidence, Flicker being the guest speaker on Saturday is perfectly timed, with his description of how he and Hill had the footballing time of their lives in the early days, old attitudes and orthodoxies thrown aside with the sheer joy of taking the game to the opposition |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Burnley U21 - National League Cup
at 12:14 14 Aug 2025
This can't be repeated enough - it's the bottom line. All the initiatives in the world will ultimately come to nought if those turning up are presented with long periods of listless football. Kids, especially, become bored, and then a pain for their guardians to manage which will put repeat attendance in the bin |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Burnley U21 - National League Cup
at 18:41 13 Aug 2025
Thanks for that assessment. Not watched us since the back end collapses of last season and whilst always feel positive at the start of every new season, to hear about that kind of f*cking about at the back (first time anyone has mentioned it) gives me cause to doubt we'll better a playoff place
Will take in the Alty game on Saturday. Another win will increase the positivity but more than anything, i'm looking to be entertained |
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Reply | NFR The Co-op
at 12:18 13 Aug 2025
Hope it's not a problem with your colon |
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Reply | NFR The Co-op
at 09:05 13 Aug 2025
The all-important hyphen was later added, plenty of space on a bridge spanning a dual carriageway |
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Reply | Favourite Dale goal
at 20:33 12 Aug 2025
Scored the all-important opener of course, in our promotion win against Southend |
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Reply | NFR The Co-op
at 19:20 12 Aug 2025
No surprise, James
After interpreting your post, i'm guessing you gave him some info on how it all started but the fact is, Rochdale hides its light under a bushel
It's beginning to change however, and once the work being undertaken on the slopes between the town hall square and St Chads on the hill is completed, the space will become an incredible venue. With the Ogdens seeking their legacy with Dale and what it could become in terms of community and a positive vibe about both the club and the town, the Co-op is something that shows that even 180 years ago, there's something about this place that is unique and that continues through to this day
The default setting is "running the town down", even by Dale fans. I never want to hear the "We already know" response to "Rochdale's a shithole" ever again. In fact, it should be banned, because not only is the town no worse than many other places but the only thing that holds it back is that very mindset
[Post edited 12 Aug 19:22]
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Reply | Expectations for the season
at 17:14 9 Aug 2025
So we start with an encouraging result, a confident goalscorer and a playoff place
My expectation is we stay in the playoffs, and demonstrate improved game management to give us a better chance of a successful outcome at the sharp end of the season
Looking back, what happened wasn't a surprise, but looking forward to clouting a few teams |
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Reply | Favourite Dale goal
at 07:30 8 Aug 2025
One old, one newish
Dennis Butler v Halifax 1969: mild evening in late Spring, promotion-chasing with opponents, 10000+ crowd. Took the ball in the centre circle, waltzed around a couple of players and leathered it into the top corner from about 25 yards. Only goal of the game
Steve Davies v Spurs, 2018: game on national tv, almost over, control and pass in centre circle to Matty Done out left. Carries it forward, weights the cross perfectly to skim the head of a defender whilst Davies arrives at the far post. Perfect control and slot home in one movement. Congratulated by Harry Kane on its execution as they walk back amid the mayhem |
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Reply | Nick Haughton.
at 20:08 6 Aug 2025
It's all part of eco-friendly recycling |
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Reply | Friendly versus Man Utd U21
at 14:25 5 Aug 2025
Surprised? Why? It's been pretty well signposted how the old possession-type game has become yesterday's thinking. Liverpool (champions) haven't used it since before the Klopp days and they recruited Slot with the intention of continuing to evolve away from it. Many others are following suit with their own variations
Unless we see a similar ability to evolve, McNulty will very quickly become yesterday's man (which isn't to say he'll be let go since he makes the noises the owners want to hear) but if his coaching remit doesn't include the ability to think for himself it's gonna be another frustrating season
Recruitment of forwards who can get on the end of chances and hold the ball up front is promising... on paper. Those chances need to be made before defences are settled, it's actually no more complicated than that [Post edited 5 Aug 14:31]
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Reply | T'2025 Test summer
at 11:23 5 Aug 2025
Decades? Nay, millennia...
And what do you mean, "I suppose..." ?! [Post edited 5 Aug 11:25]
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