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More welcome transparency from the club, whatever anyone thinks of the competition. Some really good comms the last few weeks to match the recruitment on the pitch.
Really happy to see Doney back. Loved his personality and the way his values came across both on and off pitch. Same for Lillis and Taylor.
Can't remember many other times when the coaching team, owners and players have all seemed so aligned to the values I associate with being Rochdale and this football club. Just hope we can find an edge of ruthless intensity this coming season, especially during the grind of the winter months when we often seem to go missing. Not sure it's going to happen but would love to see a further experienced signing perhaps in the middle of the park that screams leadership who'll drive high standards throughout the team. Either way I'm feeling positive we're in for a season of progression vs the last.
Bit behind with the pods but just caught up on both episodes, good listen and great to have you back lads.
Re the signings so far, I wouldn't be averse to seeing us switch formation to a back 4 this year as our default, with the flex to revert to a 3 in season and in game when it's called for. Think Gordon could develop into a really good RHS centre half paired alongside a new left footer with strong physical attributes, with Moss and Beckwith as the full backs. Expect TAR could operate well further up the pitch too. Don't suspect McNulty has this in his thinking but personally I'd like us to start the season this way enabling an extra man in midfield, ideally someone new with real leadership qualities that offers something different to East & Gilmour.
I went yesterday, cracking day out as always at Headingley.
Bumrah's a joy to watch. You wonder if his pace will drop a few mph as the series goes on if he continues to play most or all tests, how Gill manages his workload will be fascinating.
Even if we lose this one I can see us being evenly matched all summer in an absorbing contest. India have become that bit more likeable and humble without Kohli's leadership, should be a great series and good for it to have some breathing space in the sporting calendar without a mens football tournament or Olympics to compete with this year.
Saw him in 2004 at Newcastle City Hall playing the Smile album in full. Went with my dad, both of us in tears as soon as the harmonies of the first song started up. Right up there with Bowie and Strummer for me. Good time of the year to play some of his classics and remind ourselves of his genius.
We always seem to finish the season with a wet sail and hoping we keep it up - would much prefer us to finish 4th than 5th and avoid an away trip to York or Barnet in the playoff semis should we get that far.
Just caught up on the Joey T thread too. We're reminded what we share in common on weekends like this so on that note just a quick one to Kel to say I hope you and your family are doing ok and very much hope you'll be back contributing on here soon.
My first visit to the Shay tonight since Peakey's bicycle kick.
No real evidence to base this on but reckon we could be in for a cracking Dale away night. Just feels like the situation and opposition might bring it out. And then hopefully kick on in March and April with our customary strong finish once spring pops its head out and just about squeak into the top 7.
Really impressive mentality throughout to make this turnaround possible. Parallels to when Martin Johnson's England rugby team won in Australia and NZ the summer before their 2003 world cup, if they can fashion a win from a situation like this it could be just the sort of building block that starts to instill real belief in the group that next winter's Ashes could be on.
Granted very different opposition and conditions to come, but there's little signs that lessons are being learned and things are starting to point in an exciting direction.
'What do we want? Unspectacular competency! When do we want it? Now!'
Really good watch, after everything we've been through there's beauty in such simplicity and clarity. Great to see so much sharing of the microphone between those new and old too.
Anyone else see the mannerisms of Brandon Flowers in our new co-chair, if you look beyond the few extra grey hairs and English accent?
Really enjoyable second half. Hendo's cameo a pleasure to watch and fitting for him and Rodney to combine for the winner. Respect to everyone who made it down there this morning.
Some 24 hrs in our lives as Dale fans. Still rubbing my eyes reading yesterday's statement and thinking is this really happening. But you know what, we deserve it. We've stayed true to our standards and values and after suffering enough maybe the time has come for the tide to turn like it always does in the end.
Let's see. Have a fun summer everyone and decompress for a while when the sunshine finally arrives. Looking forward to seeing the next chapter unfold :)
Also wouldn't be surprised if our winning streak comes to an end today, but either way it's a cracking looking starting XI and bench. I'd be very happy if the majority of these were still with us come August.
Been in complete control 2nd half, reminiscent of some of the earlier season games. Watching on stream but the Dale fans who've made the trip seem to be really enjoying themselves :)
Clayton and Keohane still sat on the bench is so frustrating when we're crying out for some control and experience. I almost wish we could go back to Jim not having selection options, there was an effective consistency through necessity earlier in the season.
On balance, I still love Jim to bits, feel very positive about his future with us, and enjoyed almost everything about his part in last week's fans forum.
Listen back to it at 48 mins though and I think there was an insight into the culture that's maybe seeping onto the pitch in recent weeks - 'what a platform to start from, that's what this season is'.
I understood where that sentiment came from, but I thought it would have been a more appropriate comment to make in May not with 12 games to play.
In terms of culture development, off pitch empathy, aligned values to who we are - Jim's perfect for me. But one thing I'd be keen for him and the team to develop next season is a more ruthless intensity, game in and game out. That balance seems to be one the best managers all possess.
We seem a bit like Arsenal of the last decade or so until the penny has started to drop for them recently - likeable and easy on the eye but lacking a killer instinct and winners mentality. Next season when we have the likes of Wealdstone on the back foot I want us to walk off the pitch having scored 6, like Arsenal did on Monday night and probably wouldn't have done in recent seasons.
Missing Clayton for so many games probably hasn't helped, he clearly drives high standards. And I expect if the takeover goes through that might see greater accountability start to come from the boardroom towards performance and results.
So overall, whilst I reckon 45 points from 36 games is a good few less than we might have expected given the qualities of this manager and playing squad, I also think it will come (maybe as soon as the next fortnight given the upcoming fixture list) and the future looks bright. I just want Jim to evolve ever so slightly into a manager I'd less like to go for a pint with than I do right now!
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