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Current Starting 11 & Formation Predictions
at 17:40 2 Aug 2021

So, Max in and Olly likely to be out. Probably one or two further movements before 3pm on Saturday but as it stands what would our best 11 be? Along with formation?

I have the battle year on year trying to explain the ins and outs to my father, this year feels harder than usual as he will have forgotten about the ‘originals’ from 18 months ago which must be said there aren’t many of those left!

I can’t wait to just talk football on Saturday! It’s been draining but the excitement is creeping in.

Daaaaaaaaaaayullllllll. Daaaaaayulll.

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Spotland
at 16:47 9 May 2015

I genuinely hope that the club strike a deal to own the ground very soon. It's gone on long enough now. What I'm curious about is how much it's actually being valued at, can anyone shine some light? It can only be the council stalling on matters, purely because they have weighed up you could squeeze 100 houses on there making the land miles more valuable than the ground.

Secondly... I was up there the other night and it could be just me but the place just feels run down. The club are obviously fully aware of that and reluctant to spend any money when they are at such a delicate stage which is understandle. I've always loved Spotland it's a 'proper' little stadium, but at the minute it feels about soulless. All the paint flaking off the brickwork at the mainstand main entrance, loads of smashed seats and all faded and brittle, rotten advertising boards, holes in the roof on TDS from the wind damage, frost covers still half heartedly rolled up and left along the Sandy lane end, all the interiors are cream with pine woodwork, rusty railings along the pitch side...

I know it sounds petty, and all reasonably easy and affordable fixes, but on match day I just turn up 15 minutes before kickoff, watch the game from the TDS and then leave. Having had a good nosey around the other night I just got chance to take it all in a little bit as from afar it looks alright (which probably answers my question).

If they own it I would love them to refurbish the bars and executive boxes in the main stand, bring them to life with a modern airy feel and get everything colour coded to our colours. Little things like getting rid of the red seats and replace them with blue in the mainstand, some would see it as a waste of money but to me all that stuff moves you forward with the speed of things on the pitch.

As a player debating if to sign for Dale what would appeal to you? No training ground, a small fan base, a dated stadium, the town in general isn't very great, and we don't pay the best wages. Its hard to see the attraction. I hold my hat off to Hill and his achievements, as much as the guy does my head in with his verbals as we've discussed before, you have to admire what he has achieved. In terms of status when telling people who you player for as a player... I reckon we are in the bottom half of League Two, along with our finances.

It was either this thread or revision. I apologise in advance. Anybody have any thoughts?

To summarise?

- How much is the stadium worth?
- Any one else think the ground is tired?
- ^^ What would you change about it?
- What would attract you as a player?

[Post edited 9 May 2015 16:53]

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Yeovil v United
at 16:54 4 Jan 2015

Based on that 45 mins I think if we landed United at home in the next round we would actually beat them!

Yeovil have done well defensively but when in possession the ball is like a Grenade, they just can't wait to get rid of it showing zero composure. Obviously they are completely lacking confidence and belief.

Is it just me or do you really hate the ignorance from commentators? Very very few have an idea about the lower leagues, obviously there is a gulf but the commentators go on like League One/Two teams are all bricklayers and can't run for 90 minutes. Times have changed, fitness wise I reckon Dale are consistent if not stronger as the game goes on. They are full time athletes and even clubs with a budget like ours have sports scientists and nutritionists. And looking at yeovils and Dales pitch there's no longer that 'excuse' to use anymore when facing lower league opposition. I sort of find some of the comments disrespectful but then again comical. I find premiershit fans know absolutely nothing about the lower leagues and only know stuff about the premiershit because of Sky Sports News etc. Yet, my knowledge much like a lot of fellow Dale fans is quite vast, I like to think I know a reasonable amount about every professional club. I'm not sure if that's geeky or just respectful of other clubs and and the English game. I can't quite put my finger on it?

Let's all cross our fingers tomorrow evening, I think 'Little Dale' deserve their chance in the headlights. In praying we get a top club at home. Obviously not as much money but for Dale to show the nation that not all lower league clubs play on a cow field and lump balls into the box from any angle know to man. I wouldn't trade being a Dale fan for anything, and I find great joy in telling people I support my local team. Supporting United or City is unthinkable, I just don't get it? I'm from Rochdale, unless the town never had a club then maybe, but we do. So it's a no brainer.

[Post edited 4 Jan 2015 16:54]

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The system?
at 23:48 28 Dec 2014

Am I the only person who feels Hill is over complicating things at the minute?

Injuries, suspensions, fatigue, whatever aside... I genuinely believe it's more a case of us getting it wrong rather than the opposition getting it right.

I can't grumble with our away form and our set up. It's worked and will more than likely continue to work. But at home we are getting it wrong. We are playing at home like we are playing an away game. Defensively set up up with counter attack in mind. For me, it's not what I want to see and clearly isn't working.

Today... And many other games we were crying out for some width. We have nothing out wide and it's painful. Our attacks (rare at the minute) can only come through the centre. When we break forward the outlet just isn't there and the the player more often that not the central midfielder is having to slow the play down to allow the wing backs to catch up with play and get forward. I might be the only one here, but it's boring me now.

Hill pushed Raff on in the second half. I don't mind Raff, but his attacking play is non-existent. Which is no fault of his, he is just a RB and RB only. Happy to cross from deep or play a pass inside. But when he gets isolated out wide one on one, he isn't up to it. Why wasn't RNL brought on? He has pace, some skill, a fierce shot and can cross. In short, a winger!
Rewind to our second goal against Notts County. Matty Done crossed the ball mm perfect to Vincenti's head. Classic wing play, standard headed goal. It was easy! We just don't do it enough because our best winger is playing as our only striker. I love Matty Done, and he's scored his fair share this season in a time of need but he is and always will be a winger. He should be the man providing them crosses time after time!

I just don't agree with this 'if we play 4-4-2 in this league we will get tonked' attitude. At home we need to come out and take the game to the opposition. Let them live in fear of getting tonked. Sign a striker, get Done out left, RNL out right and get back to basics. Both have pace, skills and quality. We are crying out for some directness at home. The slow approach play is too easy to defend against at times. Especially when we are losing.

Tanser needs to play left back. If he's fit for the bench he's fit to play. Rose is not the answer and to let Kennedy go and play rose is criminal. He is too busy sweeping his hair back and trying to drill 40 yard balls on the half volley. More often than not smashing seats when they float out of touch. League Two I could stomach him, but for me, he isn't the answer anymore.

And... the loan signings? Aren't they meant to improve us? If they aren't good enough for the first 11 why sign them? I don't get it?

I just want value for money... I'd happily see us get beat 2-0 if we went out today and went for it. Just so happened we get caught on the break and good work from the away team creates a goal. So what. Fleetwood didn't need to work hard today for victory. It's our poor play/mistakes and negativity that is gifting teams the points at home.

Lillis
Bennett - Eastham - O'Connell - Tanser
RNL - Dawson - Allen - Done
Henderson - (new striker)

That's how I would line up at home. Get the ball out wide, get to byline and get the ball into the box. Pace, direct, width. Yes it may leave us exposed, but can we do any worse at the minute at home? I just want to be entertained. At the minute, I'm bored watching us. We are too predictable, and look disjointed with players out of position and the chopping and changing line up.

I am clearly moaning. Happily. I can just see that the system isn't working, and some of the choices Hill is making are the complete contrast to my own. Which is why I'm not a manager. But, football is a simple game. It can be over complicated at times by worrying about the opposition rather than ourselves. Our negative approach today fuelled Fleetwood. I just know that we have a very capable group of players, man to man they can match anyone. Let the opposition worry about us more, I think Hill is showing abit too much respect to the standard and the league. He was once famous for the 'No Fear' approach but at the minute that seems a distant memory.

We are in a great position, I've enjoyed the ride. But i think we are a few tweaks away, (positive ones) from being a force in this league. Hill needs to give them abit more freedom again, the players look in fear of making a mistake or expressing themselves. He's got them drilled so hard they appear to be concentrating too much on the game plan instead of playing with a smile and enjoying the game! We all know when we play football we can turn it on its a lack of belief at the minute that's causing our problems in my opinion.

Long winded, I am sorry. But does anyone agree or am I riding solo?

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The English game.
at 16:56 10 Aug 2014

So out of 22 players on the field at Wembley today only 3 are English. I find this pretty unbelievable!

Everything the Premier League stands for is a joke. They are just a brand and the only thing they are interested in is the English pound not the English game.

I sat at the Dale yesterday with my dad and watched the lads take to the field. Yes we got beat, against a quality team and there is no shame in that. I walked away satisfied that I had witnessed young hungry lads giving it their all for the love of the game and a successful career. Allen is a local lad, 19 and playing against some fantastic players. Then you have Tanser who I have never watched before. Also 19 and playing against seasoned pro's who have played at Championship level. He played like he knew he was good enough. Like someone has told him he is good enough (Hill).
Add to the fold the likes of Lund and Bennett etc the squad is young. And you must give Hill and the board the credit for giving these lads a chance and showing some commitment to the cause at youth level. It's all too easy to go and sign players who have 'been there done that' and release 10-15 young lads every year into the big bad world for not being 'ready' or 'good enough' to play professional football.

Football is fine lines, and basically confidence is what can make or break you. How do you get confidence from playing in front of 150 friends and family in a reserve or under 21 game at Hyde United on a cold Tuesday night? Or you can play in front of 3,000 or sometimes 6/7,000 this year when the away end is full. I know what I would prefer to do!

These big clubs are ruining the talents of these young lads. I went to watch the City 'Elite' against Chelsea's equivalent this year at Etihad. Some fantastic talent on show but again at least half were foreign. I got talking to a lad called Evans who was on loan at Crewe last season. He said he absolutely loved it and he would rather sign a deal at Crewe and play, than play in an empty ground but can say he 'plays' for city.
He played against Sheff Utd at Bramall Lane a week or two before I spoke to him and he was still buzzing about the 3 points Crewe took from that game.

I think some of the lads who come through that system are suited to it. (Grimes) But lads like Raff who have come through at Liverpool need to go to clubs like ours. 90% of the time they will never look back!

I hear all the 'best league in the world' tripe come out of some of my mates mouths and I just think your as bad as the hierarchy that run the league. I'm about supporting your local club, I dread to think I am the one subsidising the fuel for Backary Sagna's chrome plated Lamborghini by purchasing a season ticket at City. Everything they stand for just annoys me. The money, the arrogance everything. I like to think I'm funding the fuel for Jack the Kitmans Ford Transit to ferry the kits and cones about.

The FA need to have a stern word, although they will happily line their pockets with money and pretend they give a sh*t about the national game every two years because England fail time and time again. Then just to add insult to injury they come up with the 'B team' idea which just complete backs up my argument. They don't give a monkeys about the football league. And to me it is the ultimate insult for them to try and shake up the pyramid when the answer lies much closer to home.

The Football League is what makes the English game special. It's the thousands of fans that wonder up and down the country watching all levels right down to Radcliffe Borough that make it special. It's our game and what we love. Why you would even try and disturb that is just ill educated and ignorant. I don't think it will happen, because it would upset too many people. Like me!

Sorry for the massive essay. But I don't know who else to vent my frustrations to other than people who probably have the same opinion because your Dale fans and we aren't blinkered.

Premier teams should be forced to field 6 English or atleast British players. It's a start, and something that can only really benefit the game than make it worse!

Anyway, I love the Dale. Proper football, proper club and a proper game of football guaranteed. I wouldn't change it for the world. If someone said to me you can have a season ticket at United/City for free I would still decline. I'd rather go and watch Bury/Oldham week in week out and that is a massive statement!

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