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Reply | Refwatch - Carlisle United v Rochdale
at 16:58 26 Sep 2025
There is no need for Jim to go for defence against Carlisle.
Gordon and Beckwith will need to keep a tight grip on Linney and Armstrong in the early stages but we are a good attacking side now and with Manni, Rodney and McBride and with the new Eastie pushing forward we should be able to score goals. It will be intimidating-they took 1500 to York and they will be smarting.
York frankly took them to the cleaners with measured skillful play, but they will be a different team at home with something to prove. |
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Reply | NL Cup v Blackburn u21s
at 14:53 18 Sep 2025
I meant Amanctchi`s attitude as he walked off the pitch. Must have been one of the slowest walks for a 6`3 athlete ever. Clearly wasn`t happy and quite prepared to show it. |
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Reply | NL Cup v Blackburn u21s
at 09:51 18 Sep 2025
I notice the Walsall manager has said he is not happy with Amantchi`s minutes. Unless he pulls off a sterling display on Saturday, maybe action is required along the lines you suggest. Jim is sensitive to his players` attitude and can`t be too impressed. |
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Reply | NL Cup v Blackburn u21s
at 11:12 17 Sep 2025
Of the 8 players fighting for a first team slot, excepting Myles and Hogan who have very specific support roles and the 2 injured players, this is how I see it from performances to date.
Good so far. McBride, Moss.
OK. Pettit, Burger, Humbles, Gomez-Mancini(may be injured), Griffiths
Not proven. Amantchi
I would say McBride with 3 goals from 2 starts may be pushing Barlow (1 goal in 6 starts) for his position as a backup striker.
From his body language last night when subbed by a 40 year-old Hendo he was not happy. However Hendo did more in his brief appearance than Amantchi in the rest of the match. He reminded me of Mitchell at the end of last season when he didn`t want to be here.
Berkoe looks an ample replacement, but maybe not a central defender. Could push Allarakia. |
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Reply | Henderson
at 09:50 16 Sep 2025
I think "attack is the best means of defence" is not in Jim`s playbook. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Truro City v Rochdale
at 16:52 15 Sep 2025
Watched the full match replay on Dazn, We were poor against a very poor team who had no real attack.
Mani and Rodney were well controlled throughout. Tobi and Allarackia produced nothing worthwhile, the defence held out well particularly against the wind in the last half hour.
Where was the passing game, esp in the first half?
The only players passing forward were EEL and Whatmuff. Ryan East ???
When the subs came on-too late- they showed some life.
Feel sorry for the travelling fans. But what the hell- 3 points I suppose. It did look a dubious goal from the angle I saw. |
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Thread | Goalkeeping
at 10:19 15 Sep 2025
Is it wise to have no second keeper in the matchday squad? Worked out so far during most of last season and every league match so far.
What would happen if Whatmuff was injured during a match? |
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Reply | Henderson
at 10:15 15 Sep 2025
Far too good to be a bit part player.
If he needs to be used as a sub due to his years, fair enough, though he looks as fit as anyone to me.
He will be needed for sure when Amantchi goes back at New Year, if he stays that long. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Truro City v Rochdale
at 11:19 14 Sep 2025
I watched the Southend game at Wealdstone last week, after we beat the Stones comfortably the week before. They outplayed Southend and the 3-2 score flattered them with a late goal. We shouldn`t need to go into our shell against them.
More of a worry is the usual absence of goals from midfield, 3 goals ,including 2 from McBride, who does seem to know where the net is, continues the dearth of midfield goals from last season. Surely East and Gilmour and Tobi A-R should be able to contribute something to the goals required for a team who has aspirations for promotion.
With Mani missing, where has Hendo gone? 9 league goals from 9 starts last season. |
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Reply | Fred Ratcliffe
at 10:31 1 Sep 2025
There are so many humdrum posts on this site and it was a delight to read this.
Out of all the claims as to who has saved or attempted to destroy our club, I think this is the most powerful.
It must be a great comfort to you to know that all those years ago, it might have been the teenage you who actually saved the club from possible extinction, even putting your job at risk in doing so.
Is this why you escaped to the colonies? |
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Reply | BRACKLEY TOWN
at 09:50 24 Aug 2025
I think this will go down as one of those matches that go down amongst supporters as never to be forgotten in years to come. If Jim thinks differently he will be disappointed.
We must be a laughing stock in the league(and above) once word gets round.
For whom the bell tolls. |
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Reply | Friendly versus Man Utd U21
at 14:03 5 Aug 2025
I watched the Stockport-Bolton game on Sky at the weekend. Two teams probable to fight for promotion this season. Funny to see Morley and Camps, Dodgson and O`Keefe and Alfie commentating.
What struck me most was the totally different game to what Jim seems to prefer.
There was much quicker buildup from defence through midfield, not speed of the players but quicker passing and forward moving. There was no passing around the penalty area or keepers with their foot on the ball. The keepers cleared their lines quickly and the whole defences were happy to use the long ball. Not pretty, but effective. There was much more movement in midfield and wide. I would prefer our players to use these tactics than try to emulate the Man City possession football which at our level is dangerous if the opposition play a high press.
I was surprised at this being offered by teams two leagues ahead of us, but it reinforced my view that we must adopt a quicker more direct pattern this season if we are going to stand a chance of promotion. |
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Reply | The Fitzture List - Rochdale Rising: Inside McNulty’s push for sustainable suc
at 16:53 1 Aug 2025
I felt Jim dodged the Pete Woodhouse question re "attack being the best form of defence". I suspect it is so far removed from Jim`s tactical philosophy that it almost amused him .His response to the issue is to employ more players with the versatility and the energy to adapt to changed situations. This may well work as long as he quickly spots the problem in the dugout.
The other issues raised many times last season were the lack of pace in the squad and the lack of physical strength in midfield. With the exception of Amantchi-only here till the end of December, I can`t see the pace issue has been addressed. Again because of Jim`s obsession with possession football, I guess he doesn`t see the need for pace.
East and Gilmour looked vulnerable when occasionally put under midfield pressure and none of the new signings, except for Dieseruvwe and Tutonda have a lot of league experience. Hopefully Jim has seen something in the abilities to of the new midfielders to suggest they can toughen up the midfield. Pritchard looks an interesting signing in this respect.
Not sure Jim explained the goalkeeper issue fully, though this may be a situation where 17/19 yearold morale is important. |
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Reply | Tom Myles Signs
at 17:40 31 Jul 2025
Fair point about Lillis. How tall is Tom Myles? Anyone know? |
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Reply | Tom Myles Signs
at 17:31 31 Jul 2025
Louie Moulden conceded 39 league goals in his 28 appearances behind EEL, Nevett, John and Keohane including 6 clean sheets. He has played very little first team football since leaving us ( to higher levels).
I dont think our experience of rookie keepers is that good.
i hope Jim knows what he is doing. |
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Reply | 25/26 Squad
at 10:20 22 Jul 2025
The 2 players who have not featured in either match so far are McBride and Burger despite not being noted as injured. With so many midfielders in the squad I suppose this means they are likely to be on the move. If so pity because both have shown some attacking preference. |
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Reply | Joe Pritchard Signs
at 12:34 11 Jul 2025
We now have 10 midfielders in a squad of 22. None of the 10 score more than a few goals on past record. No mention of any pace on the flanks.
How is Jim going to use all these players and keep the dropouts motivated?
This time last year we had 5. These new players are all on payroll. Yet the budget is not being spent on the attack or keepers.
The only new signings who played a full season last year were Dieseruvwe and Tutonda.
Strange. |
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Reply | Signing #6 inbound...
at 11:35 9 Jul 2025
Just a little puzzled by the signings.
Why do we now have 9 midfielders signed for 1-2 years?
These 9 scored 16 league goals between them for their respective clubs- 6 Dale and 3 new signings. Out of a total of 205 league appearances. So no goalpower there.
Where is the pace in the squad that we knew we so desperately needed last season? Remember Hayes? 7 goals in 22 appearances. Opposing defences backtracked last season while we patently built our attacks..
Like the sound of Dieseruvwe. He looks exactly what we have been missing upfront. |
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