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Reply | Potential threat from the weather to Saturday's match
at 11:38 23 Nov 2024
Our six-fingered friends are out in force on their forum, apparently we didnt want the game on because we took the covers off yesterday as our 1st choice goalkeeper and striker are both injured.... this of course means we are tinpot and a range of other descriptions and unfit to be a football club...The Biffos are certainly living up to their nickname today.... |
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Reply | Hopwood Hall
at 17:04 20 Nov 2024
No, one is an FE college on the site of a former Catholic Teacher Training College, the other is a money pit... |
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Reply | The Bigger Picture
at 14:54 17 Nov 2024
Well spotted, my copy checking isn't what it used to be....but yes, Ernie would have been a wonder at this level.... |
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Reply | The Bigger Picture
at 13:53 17 Nov 2024
Interesting observations but genuine discussion is hampered by a lack of real information. 3 years to get back to the EFL and 5 years to become self- sustaining off the pitch are ambitions that may prove to be beyond our capabilitiesand take longer than planned. However, at least it is aspirational and signals intent, something we haven't had for donkeys years, if ever.
Achieving these ambitions may take longer than many seem to think they will, but there is no devine right to promotion and the cash required will be affected by economic headwinds particularly bearing in mind this is one of the poorest towns in the country and " benefits" from a council that has neither the vision nor political will to see an opportunity when it kicks the door in.
Much of this will be outwith the previous experience of the Ogdens despite their deep roots in Rochdales soil. They will learn quickly, I have no doubt, but their initial enthusiasm will undoubtedly be slapped in the face by the reality of dragging a club and town with a "can't do" attitude into higher realms.
As long suffering fans, our fortnightly traipse to the COA is a sort of medieval pilgramage, generally miserable with occasional excitement and the sustinance of beer and pies enjoyed in the company of friends and acquaintances. How we long for a new Jenkins, Taylor, Lambert , Holt or a Henderson in his pomp. Someone the kids of today will talk about to their kids, somehow I dont think Mitchell and Rodney will quite fit the bill. Essentially the fayre on offer is mediocre stodge, designed to subsist but not thrive.
The imagination being applied behind the scenes is not being replicated on the pitch , but what did we expect? Turning a supertanker around is a huge task, hopefully the promised changes will soon be put infront of us and the renewal will begin in earnest, the longer it takes the more the sense of unrest will grow.
Montgomery explained leadership with a piece of string laid on a table, if you push from the back end it goes where it likes, if you pull it from the front, it goes where you want it to... simple, we need more, clear, unambiguous leadership with a clear destination, route map, sufficient petrol in the tank and the manpower to do the job, I fear we have a way to go yet....but like good pilgrims, we keep the faith and we keep on keeping on, what else can we do? [Post edited 17 Nov 14:51]
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Reply | Mcnulty
at 12:53 11 Nov 2024
It would be disappointing if McNulty has given the Burton job any serious consideration, he knows that there is more investment pending at Rochdale, he has the best training facility currently available and potentially the opportunity to put his stamp on a new one at some point in the future. He has a squad that is now almost entirely of his own making and a supportive BoD that have given him a 3 year contract. His stock will rise if he completes the journey back the the EFL and in time he will be targeted by bigger clubs than Burton at which point he could leave with our best wishes and a considerable amount of novel experience under his belt.
Currently he is making a reasonable fist of his job and hopefully learning as he goes along. Burton seems like trying to catch a falling knife which is never a sensible
idea.
Being linked to Burton is undoubtedly flattering but flattery and reality are often different beasts, you would hope that Simon and Cameron have had a quiet chat with him and revisited their vision for the club with him. |
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Reply | Sutton match thread
at 00:58 10 Nov 2024
Strange game today, pleased to see McNicholas and TAR back in the side, surprised no Mitchell, interested to see how Dennis might lead the line. And for 20 minutes we were OK and then scored a decent goal but instead of taking them to the cleaners, poor defending gave them an equaliser and the team seemed to lose belief in themselves. Changes at half time were needed and made, but the system didnt alter significantly and the charge was more sideways than forwards... one day Rodney, we will absolutely muller someone but we have to figure out how to put an early ball into the box along the 6 yard line and give the forwards a fighting chance. The dink from the by line is all very well but firing crosses into the POMO ( position of maximum opportunity) is what the best teams do. And they do it at speed and without hesitation so that forwards can gamble with expectation.
The goal at the death was deserved if only for the efforts made in the previous 92 minutes but when you consider what might have been, the win was a celebration of relief rather than of a job well done, but sometimes its better to be lucky than competent. Maybe this is the best tune McNulty can get out of this team but you end up thinking that with a few tweaks they could achieve much much more..... |
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Reply | Mcnulty
at 12:30 8 Nov 2024
Its the consistency of finishing at the top end of the table that will drive an improvement in crowds. Being in the playoffs offers the opportunity to get back to the EFL but to succeed at that level requires bigger budgets and bigger crowds to help provide those budgets.
This club needs an extended period of relative success, better to be at the top end of this division than the bottom end of the one above. As I see it, if promotion to the EFL takes 5 years, it matters little, going up with a good team, competent management and a thriving club infrastucture are the building blocks.
5000 crowds, a rebuilt or highly renovated main stand, training facilities, a strong squad, and cash at the bank to supplement EFL payments is the ideal scenario. It takes time and constancy of purpose. Rome wasn't built in a day but when it was finished it was magnificent....and still is. |
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Reply | Tonight’s Match…
at 13:21 6 Nov 2024
Given the ticketing faffs of recent weeks, I think these sorts of games and probably pre-season friendlies should be included in the Season Ticket and charge an extra £10. The extra £20k or so raised would be worth more than the cash that will be taken from all these games and would add value to the ST and probably increase gates too. It would also reduce some of the ticket office pressures. |
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Reply | Dale v Bromley (FA Cup 1st Round) Match thread:
at 12:17 4 Nov 2024
TVOS, have I got this right...?
From 0 to 15 mins we have scored 5 and conceded 4
From 15 to 30 minutes we have scored 3 and conceded 2
From 30 to 45 minutes (plus any time added on) we have scored 6 and conceded 3
Would it be possible to see how this pattern pans out for home and away games?
Looking at soccerstats it seems that we are doing better on most measures away from home but that the teams we have played at home so far are stronger in terms of goals scored than those we have played away. And comparing the last 8 games with the first 8, goals scored per game are falling slightly at -3.6% whilst goals conceded are up +59.6% and points per game are down -25%. Which suggests the early flush of success has begun to fade, as it so often seems to do at Rochdale.
Saturday was disappointing but I would suggest the manager will see the positive of being out of the FA Cup in that it gives a bit of space in the calendar for a bit more rest and recuperation. Better not waste it Jim....I would hope that tomorrow night will see the least number of players from Saturday as possible starting the game and as many subs as possible being used as early as possible to get those player off the pitch.
Overall it seems the old football saying that forwards win matches but defences win championships is still valid... |
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Reply | Dale v Bromley (FA Cup 1st Round) Match thread:
at 17:53 2 Nov 2024
I thought taking Hogan off with only a few minutes to go was an awful decision, he had been my MOM up to that point.....3-2 up and coping reasonably well , OK bring Ferguson on and a forward off, but not the bloke that had marshalled the defence so well for 90 minutes... poor and probably cost us £25k and who knows, maybe more.... |
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Reply | Stadium use as part of possible future redevelopment
at 11:11 30 Oct 2024
I think I would like to see something a little more pioneering , more like a " health factory" where Doctors, Dentists, Physios , Optician, Chiropodist , Pharmacy, etc are all under one roof with a single reception... with perhaps a mix of private and NHS services available. Its ideally positioned for Norden, Bamford, even Castleton and Heywood. The availability of parking and easy access would be ideal.
Another thought would be some sort of " food court" similar to some of the ones in Manchester with several different options under one roof.
I guess it will depend on the extent of imagination and funding available....refurbish, or rebuild? Hasn't one of the Ogden brothers been involved in Hotel / hospitality development previously? |
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Reply | Stadium use as part of possible future redevelopment
at 16:07 29 Oct 2024
The rebuilding / refurbishment of the main stand is a welcome idea and a major opportunity to bring non-football related money into the club as well as improving the social facilities and the working environment. My questions are about the training ground plan and if it has perhaps been decided to continue a Platt Lane or even make the University an offer for it. Or is it still the plan that a training / community facility will be built nearer to the ground as well as rebuilding the main stand? |
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Reply | Online Ticketing Issues
at 13:57 27 Oct 2024
I know, I watched it, I was number 8... but my point is that they are not integrated into a single entity, hence there are gaps between each system for people' data to disappear into
I have kept my thoughts on the evening to myself. There is a point at which you have to stop banging your head against a brick wall...I will wait for the revelations as to how we will achieve 5000 regular fans and off field revenues capable of sustaining the club. |
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Reply | Barnet match thread
at 13:46 27 Oct 2024
The problem with a " system" is that it can be a straightjacket. I dont understand why we were playing out from the back in the first 20 minutes playing away at the top of the league who are unbeaten at home.
Surely the early exchanges should have been to stop them scoring, then frustrate them and finally catch them on the break and enjoy the trip home!
With the ability to bring on umpteen substitutes, it becomes a 16 man per side game. Your forwards can run themselves silly for and hour, score a couple of goals and then bring on 5 more defenders to replace them and a couple of midfielders., the options are many and varied.
But no.. JMC has fixed ideas... no subs before 70 minutes.. play out from the back from minute 1. Play a striker with no obvious partner, pretend your goalkeeper is as good with the ball as your outfield players...
The rules, as set out by succesful managers, are simple...Dont get beaten.. treat each game on its merits, plan to win at home and away but know when to accept a draw. Use the whole squad to its maximum potential and skill, put square pegs in square holes. Train for a series of specific in-game situations so that everyone is on the same page, use substitutions tactically to break up periods of pressure if you are under the cosh with 20 minutes to play and 1-0 up. In the last resort, there is nothing wrong with punting the ball into row Z (the Peter Valentine option) and buying time to reorganise. |
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Reply | Online Ticketing Issues
at 20:29 26 Oct 2024
I have often thought that there ought to be a seat reservation system for ST holdrrs whereby their seat was reserved for cup matches up to the day of the game at which point it would be released for general sale if not taken up by the ST holder. Why piss off people who have already paid for 23 games?
The whole question mark over the IT system has been hanging in the air since it started to be used. That it was never integrated with other systems like a CRM and a mass email system has always mystified me. Data about your customers is absolutely vital in this day and age. The first step in any marketing system is to secure the customers you already have as the cost of reclaiming them is huge by comparison. If you can go hunting new customers using the informstion you have about those you already have, the problem becomes much easier.
Also maybe having key Directors based in London is proving a little problematic as far as the day to day stuff is concerned, I think only Richard and Simon actually live in Rochdale, the lack of day to day management may be part of the problem? |
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