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Reply | TODAY V BRAINTREE TOWN
at 14:05 1 Oct 2024
Its not so much a style of play as a lack of dynamism. The demands of playing flat out for 90 minutes are huge and very few players, much less teams could do it, but the ability to turn from a defensive posture to an attacking one is where dynamism is required and shifting mindset and attitude in that instant is the difficult bit.
I believe it is trainable, think of the explosive response needed by a 100m sprinter when the gun goes off compared to the gradual pace increase of a distance runner. Some of it is a mental decision, some of it simply the physical ability to shift from jog to sprint in a split second.
Add to this the speed of thought required to play at pace, the physical positioning (half turn, not looking at your own keeper) and the ability to retain a picture of the
positions of other players on the pitch in your head and see its possibilities and you need a very gifted set of players....
Given the number of teams and size of squads of teams above us, the players filtering through to our level are inevitably compromised in some of these areas and indeed our expectations are often set by what we see on TV where the players are the ones that have survived countless trials and tests en-route. Our players are the ones that failed one or more of those tests. We have to do our best with who we can afford and who will agree to join us, two more major filters....
Promotion to the EFL is essentially a combination of money and luck, you can make your own luck but you have to have the right raw materials. Our owners will not throw big money at a promotion push, we struggle to get half the crowd we need to sustain the finances and whilst the squad is competent, few are good enough to play at a higher level and any that we do manage to unearth are snatched away for relatively
little money.
Our new owners have started a process which is going to take time to produce the results we all hope for, whilst financially stable for the time being, the steps required
to improve this measure have barely started. Crowds are at 50% of what is hoped for / needed, no new training facility has been announced. Hopefully the new Commercial Director has now got his feet under the table and is starting to generate more cash, but given what has gone before, it is going to require a gargantuan effort and above all else, time.
We are at the very start of the 5 year plan, so far so good, but there is still a mountain to climb and base camp is still being prepared. The team that takes on the summit will be different to the Sherpas we are employing today.
Everyone is a cog in the machine but over time replacement parts and fresh, innovative ideas will be needed. For the moment we have to be satisfied that we are turning a corner and now moving in the right direction. Constancy of Purpose is what will carry the day. |
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Reply | Fylde away (n/t)
at 16:30 30 Sep 2024
Someone should point it out to the referee and show him the rules regarding pitchside fencing and ask him if he thinks it is safe and get him to sign a statement to that effect if he does.....
The Football Association (FA) has several rules regarding pitch side barriers, including:
Pitch perimeter barrier
A permanent barrier must surround the pitch on all sides that spectators may occupy. The barrier should be at least 1.1 meters high, measured from the spectator side. It should be made of a sound material, such as concrete or steel, and free of sharp edges. If the barrier is not a solid wall, it should be infilled to prevent the ball from passing through or under it.
Distance from the touchline and goal line
There should be at least 2.25 meters between the pitch perimeter barrier and the touchline and goal line, but ideally 2.75 meters.
Advertising boards
Advertising boards may be used as infill, but they must not prevent spectators from moving onto the field in an emergency
Pitch Perimeter Barrier (Conference National rules )
Subject to the provisions detailed below, there must be a permanent fixed barrier ideally 1.1 m high as measured from the spectator side, of sound construction (eg concrete and steel) and free from all sharp edges, surrounding the pitch on all sides that may be occupied by spectators. Existing barriers/rails not at 1.1m high may be acceptable, provided they meet the requirements set out in 1.7 of the Appendix.
The barrier, if other than solid wall type of construction, may be infilled so that the ball cannot pass through or under it. Plastic multi-purpose hi-vis fencing is not considered suitable for infill.
There must be a minimum of 1.83 metres between the touchline, goal line and the pitch perimeter barrier. NB for Grade A (The Football Conference National) a minimum of 2.25 metres is required. [Post edited 30 Sep 16:36]
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Reply | Rochdale sign Hogan
at 18:21 27 Sep 2024
A neat, quick fix to an immediate problem.... well done Jim. His experience will help Ferguson and Sassy and he gives another option off the bench if we are under pressure defending a lead or a draw, |
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Reply | Kwadwo Baah
at 09:20 26 Sep 2024
According to Wiki, we sold him to Watford for £125k .. I wonder if there were the usual add ons .. first first-team appearance? |
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Reply | Refwatch - Eastleigh v Rochdale
at 18:12 23 Sep 2024
So we are on 17 points after 10 games, last season we were on 15 at the same point, so a slight improvement , we are in a play-off position, so on target.... And interestiingly we have played more games against top half clubs than many but taken fewer points from them than some of our contemporaries which I guess is a minus point at this stage as is losing two games on the trot.
It is important that we get at least a point at Hartlepools, to prevent two consecutive losses becoming three and to help Saturdays attendance to keep the faith that we are heading in the right direction. A win would be optimal and help even more. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Eastleigh v Rochdale
at 18:19 21 Sep 2024
I think Henry is the big miss, at both ends of the pitch too. He looks forward anf passes forward as much as any midfielder I can remember.. is excellent from dead ball situations and deadly outside the box if he gets a shooting opportunity.. is he injured or out of favour? If the latter then its very disappointing.
Ferguson is an out and out defender and if fit I would have gone with a back four today obviously Eastleigh , as a top 7 team are not going to be a pushover at home and with the extra central defender we might have defender the lead better.
Consecutive defeats is not good for morale for the players or the fans...... |
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Reply | National League Cup Groups
at 14:53 20 Sep 2024
Seems there is £1m to be distributed between the participating National League Clubs.....no suggestion that there is more money for the winners so its money for participation £1,000,000 / 16..... no money to Prem clubs. So £62,500 per NL club to cover overheads... the asumption must be that the Prem clubs will play against each other in the later rounds? |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Solihull Moors
at 11:36 13 Sep 2024
Where to begin?...
https://fcbusiness.co.uk/news/in-focus-growing-attendance-model-gam/
This article offers a reasonable start with links to others. The general gist is that success on the pitch brings success in the ground.. well derrrr!
There are a number of problems that we as fans know well, the historical lack of success, the noisy neighbours, travel distance to Premiership clubs all work against us, not to mention, poor levels of disposable income.
A major part of the solution is constancy of purpose.. one off events are simply that, they do not create habit or a lasting desire to go to matches with friends or family.
Currently we have an empty stand for probably15 matches, adding 2000 people at £5 each per game would be worth £150k less expenses and if that revenue were ring-fenced for marketing to fans, it could increase considerably over 3 or 4 seasons
The problem is, as I understand it, that you have to sell tickets to visiting fans at the same price as home fans are paying for similar seating. So a reduction in pricing for new attendees also affects income from visiting supporters..
Consequently perhaps there should be a competition of some sort where the prize is a complimentary ticket or simply give complimetary tickets for kids attending soccer schools or members of a club if a parent accompanies them at full price.
Last season, there was an attempt to build support utilising cheap tickets for a single game, this initiative seems to have been quietly buried, however we know that a good number turned up and seemed to generally have enjoyed the experience. But the devil is in the detail.... how many of these people came to another game? Was there a follow- up offer? What was the geographic spread of attendees across the Borough? Were there any obvious neighbourhood groups / possibly school groups?
There is so much that needs doing but it has to be more or less self- financing and needs to be maintained over a number of seasons, it will not happen overnight....
Encouragingly the " youth" element in the Sandy seems to be growing season on season which will help the long term demographics.. |
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Reply | RIP Peter Smith (Swiggy)
at 18:20 11 Sep 2024
Is that the Pete Smith who went to live further North, about 73/ 74 years old-ish? |
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Reply | White kit
at 18:17 11 Sep 2024
I thought Leeds under Bielsa were terrific to watch....their running and pace they moved the ball were outstanding, he turned average players in class acts. |
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Reply | TONIGHTS GAME V MAIDENHEAD UTD
at 18:14 11 Sep 2024
Cardwell was the best centre forward I saw last season, he was an absolute nuisance from minute one and I think he scored twice at the COA? He was excellent in the air and his running unsettled us right across the defence.. Looks like FGR are making a statement of intent by forking out for him.... |
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Thread | White kit
at 13:43 11 Sep 2024
I know many may disagree but I thought the white kit looked great under the lights last night and that our players were easier to pick out as a result, players looked bigger and the passing was excellent, did the white strip help? |
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Reply | Paul Waugh
at 09:22 11 Sep 2024
The problem witth the state pension is that it is not funded from invested personal contributions, it relys on working taxpayers to pay for retirees. So taxpayers are now being squeezed from two sides, benefits for an unprecedented number of non- workers and an increasing number of longer-lived pensioners. To say nothing about Univerity loans and scandalous house prices and mortgages...and the insidious cost of runaway immigration
Norway has a sovereign fund of over a Trillion pounds, if we had started a similar fund at the same time it would now be worth over 7 Trillion pounds.. more financial incompetence from politicians who want jam today to ensure re-election rather than look after the long- term prospects of the country.
The state pension has been paid for through NIC contributions, which should have been invested not spent The refusal to change the personal allowances has dragged many into the situation where increases in state pension are such that private pensions are then taxed....
The levels of taxation and the numbers claiming benefits is now sucking all the incentive out of working.... we have to cut the size of Government and make what is left more effective if we are to continue being a first world country... But hey, the Labour party is " for the people" isnt it? Well apparently so if you are a train driver earning £60k+ or a Junior Doctor who will eventually earn well over £100k per year as a self employed GP... |
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Reply | Paul Waugh
at 23:17 10 Sep 2024
These are monthly pension payments across Europe,
https://www.almondfinancial.co.uk/pension-breakeven-index-how-does-the-uk-state-
"Where in Europe offers the most to residents in terms of pension provision?
Luxembourg tops the European Pension Breakeven Index. The Luxembourg pension system pays out an average of €6,095.87 (£5,211.20) and thanks to the relatively low cost of living in comparison, pensioners can expect a comfortable retirement with a pension income at 538.47% over the breakeven point.
Spain came in second place, with the country’s pension system paying out a maximum of €3,175.00 ( £2,714.23) per month and coupled with the country’s low cost of living, pensioners can enjoy a comfortable retirement in the sun.
The UK moved up one place from last year’s report in the top 30, now coming in at number 15, continuing to linger just above the breakeven point for pension income. At just 18.28% above the breakeven point, the UK pays just £148.13 more in state pension than the average cost of living for a pensioner.
The maximum UK state pension will pay a total of £958.53 per month to retirees from 2024 and at the time of writing, recent data stated that the monthly cost of living for a single person (excluding rent) is £810.40.
In,recent years , the Uniparty has allowed the BBC to remove the pensioners exemption from the telly tax, done nothing to stop increasing energy costs , and is now taking £300 WFA away, you might almost start to suspect that they are hoping many houses become empty over the coming winter months. We are over £2.5 Trillion in debt and the simpletons are still paying overseas aid to China and India and some of those who pay bigger pensions thsnn we do! ..
The waste is unbelievable across every Government department as we continue to pour money into nearly 700 quango's with little accountability of where the money actually goes.. but providing lots of jobs for the boys (and girls) who run them.
There are 100s of Lords and Ladies doing God knows what..and probablÿ fronting Quango's as well.
We have a massively wasteful system of local government and over 500,000 Simple Serpents who now mainly work from home on a median salary of £35k , managed by 50,000 people with median salaries of around £85k.
No doubt there will be another council tax hike this year, Rochdales 60 councillors cost us £900,000 a year in expenses and allowances.. add on the cost of the Greater Manchester Authority and the £ 1.7 million they splurged on the cycle path through Castleton... I am yet to see anyone using it to commute to Manchester , but still if you talk to your councillor , it was " free" money .. the economic ignorance is staggering.... |
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Reply | Aldershot Screening 07/09/2024
at 11:20 10 Sep 2024
Shocking but somehow unsurprising. It's on a par with not cashing a cheque... Having someone wanting to buy and noone bothering to pick the phone up is a shortcut to financial disaster. I have no doubt that they are focused on bigger deals, but it is always the case that closing lots of small ones is what keeps the balance sheet in positive territory.
I hope our new Commercial Director is reading this, he needs a salesperson on board or, if he is doing all the sales function himself, needs to manage his time to make sure he is making calls to close enquiries.
Satisfied customers tell 3 friends, angry customers used to tell a dozen people but with social media, they tell 3000, or more..... |
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Thread | M62 closed at Rochdale
at 14:18 7 Sep 2024
Unbelievable traffic across Rochdale caused by the closure of the M62 in both directions at Rochdale from Friday night until Monday morning this weekend and next weekend... might be a smart move to set off very early for next Saturday's game.
I haven't seen any warnings about this closure, but traffic is backing up all over the Borough ..currently 20+ minutes from Bolton Road / Tesco to Sandbrook Park ...
Apparently its bridge works over the Motorway somewhere..... |
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Reply | Peter Thomas
at 21:37 3 Sep 2024
And a little blast from the past
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