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Reply | Match thread....Boston United (away) New Era
at 09:06 11 Aug 2024
We set up as we had done in the two previous home friendlies. Rodney and Mitchell closer together up top, McBride coming in off the right with Henry and Gilmour across the middle. Allarakia played higher up the left flank and TAR, while getting forward, was expected to drop into right back when Boston were in possession, forcing the three centre backs of Gordon, EEL and Beckwith along one.
It was clear at the start that Boston were happy to stand off our centre backs around our own area and press once they advanced towards the half way line or played the out-ball to the flanks. This encouraged us to play some overhit long balls in the early stages, which was a little frustrating. However, once Gilmour threaded the ball through the middle for Rodney, who was wide awake, rounded the keeper and slotted home, Boston knew they had another vulnerability they needed to focus on.
In terms of our own vulnerability in the first half, the only joy Boston got was in the pocket on the left that was vacated by Allarakia getting forward and Beckwith needing to get across to cover. They managed a couple of dangerous crosses from there and cost Beckwith a booking having to bring a man down. The only other issue was the playing across the back which saw EEL have a ball charged down that mercifully went out of play. To be fair, Boston offered little more than a few wayward strokes towards goal or tame efforts easily held by McNicholas.
However, as the half wore on we ourselves were much, much better. Allarakia got two lovely balls across goal that deserved someone on the end of them, and TAR was creating some lovely one-twos on the other side.
Rodney produced another sublime finish after EEL played him in following Boston failing to clear a corner.
Second half was much better from us. We should’ve scored two more before Henderson sealed it. We used the substitutes well to kill the game and managed it out expertly as Boston looked tired and bereft of ideas. Take note when other teams do this to us!
All-in-all, a good day’s work to open the season but we will face tougher opposition this season for an absolute certainty. [Post edited 11 Aug 9:08]
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Reply | Into The Unknown by Chris Fitzgerald
at 21:40 31 Jul 2024
Sorry, I I’ve only just remembered to check back on this. Yes, it’s available on Kindle right now - and hopefully everyone has their physical copies after a printer delay? |
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Reply | Ody Alfa signs for Dale
at 11:45 26 Jul 2024
The lack of transfer window is the point to keep in mind.
Last season, McNulty's budget restricted who he could sign geographically, and also his ability to bolster the squad around January.
Neither such restriction is in place this season. |
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Reply | Carlisle friendly
at 11:43 26 Jul 2024
Technically, bottom of League One is even higher than fifth in League Two 
They have a unit up front in Luke Armstrong, who I remember gave us a hard time when he was at Harrogate. It'll be a test all over the pitch for sure. |
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Reply | Carlisle friendly
at 10:28 26 Jul 2024
Carlisle finished bottom of League One last season. |
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Reply | Ody Alfa signs for Dale
at 09:56 26 Jul 2024
Not including youth players and not accounting for the fact many of these players can play in other positions, here you go:
ROCHDALE AFC SEASON 2024/25
GOALKEEPERS
Brad Kelly
Luke McNicholas
LEFT-BACKS
Finn Armstrong
Sam Beckwith
CENTRE-BACKS
Ethan Ebanks-Landell
Kyle Ferguson
RIGHT-BACKS
Tobi Adebayo-Rowling
Kyron Gordon
LEFT WING
Aidan Barlow
Ody Alfa
CENTRE MIDFIELD
Harvey Gilmour
Ryan East
Aaron Henry
RIGHT WING
Tarryn Allarakhia
ATTACKING MIDFIELD
Connor McBride
FORWARDS
Devante Rodney
Kairo Mitchell
Ian Henderson [Post edited 26 Jul 11:12]
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Reply | Released Players
at 11:40 18 Jul 2024
Keith Hill was a defender...
I agree that we need more goals in the side. We have lost goals from Hayes, Sinclair and Keohane for a start. |
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Reply | EEL Stays
at 10:22 8 Jun 2024
Yes he did miss chances, what striker at this level doesn’t. Ironically, Mitchell was at his best when playing on his own - his game suffered somewhat when Rodney returned, as he became a bit more static.
Mitchell’s goal return for the season, given he was never signed to be the main striker, is more than commendable. He’s not a world beater, I know, but I think his shift last season gets him pass marks. |
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Reply | EEL Stays
at 18:34 7 Jun 2024
Spot on about the weakness to crosses - both defending them and stopping them. It was a major Achilles heel for most of the season.
As for the goals return, we were without a fit Rodney for most of the season and Mitchell got injured just when he hit a real purple patch. I honestly believe without those two things hindering us, we’d have scored a lot more last season. Poor Ian Henderson being relied upon alone for that spell around Christmas was ludicrous and, now we have more budget, I’m hoping that a lack of bad luck on the injury front, and a boost to squad depth, will see us fare better this season in front of goal. |
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Reply | EEL Stays
at 07:57 6 Jun 2024
I don’t think he was poor last season overall at all. There were standout games where a mistake cost us a goal - Barnet away being the first to come to mind - but then the whole team was poor that game anyway.
EEL, in the main, is a solid defender at the level we are at, and I think some people still don’t accept we are at the level we are. He chips in with goals and starts many an attack, too.
He perhaps just needs to stop putting himself under pressure unnecessarily by knowing when to lump the ball upfield when being pressed.
I don’t think that is against McNulty’s “total options” approach, as it is a viable option. Yes, he might turnover possession in doing so, but then it’s on those further forward to win it back. I’d rather turn over possession higher up the pitch than lose it in my own box and cost a goal, and I’m sure he and McNulty would too. |
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Reply | Meet the board
at 18:56 30 May 2024
Thanks Judd. Much appreciated [Post edited 30 May 18:56]
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Reply | Hat tricks
at 18:01 20 May 2024
There seemed to be a good few hat-tricks during the Hill era but, prior to that, the ones that spring to mind are Paul Simpson’s v Wrexham in a cracking 5-2 win; Louie Moulden’s dad in a 5-2 win over Darlington; the mighty Paul Connor in a 6-0 win against Carlisle; Andy Morris v someone (it was such a shock I’ve forgotten the opposition); and Jamie Taylor’s v Hartlepool in a 4-0 home win.
I seem to remember Dave Lancaster, Andy Flounders and that imperious goalscorer (!) Gareth Griffiths all getting hat-tricks too. |
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Reply | Club Statement. Deal done
at 20:12 9 May 2024
So, so much has gone into making this happen, and so many people deserve credit, who won’t be seeking it, for making it so.
To say this is the perfect outcome for the club would be a gross understatement. It’s almost a work of fantasy given how perfect this is, given the type of people out there looking to make a fast buck out of football clubs. There isn’t an ounce of that here and ongoing sustainability will be the watchword going forward.
People in the halls of power at the club can now exit crisis mode and perhaps actually enjoy representing the football club, while planning for a future that is real and positive.
Real work will begin to make the club a pillar of the community and that is to be lauded, but the majority of us can simply go back to what we do best - enjoying and moaning about the football in equal measure.
Up the Dale. |
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Reply | Refwatch: Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 12:44 3 Apr 2024
It is. I have no issue at all with the "pi55ing about at the back" as long as it is done with purpose and at pace.
I think what you also need to look at when discussing Rodney's goal on Monday was that the opportunity for East to play that pass wouldn't have come about if their player had killed the ball down the bottom end instead of flicking it on. That is something we would be chastising our own players for had one of them done the same in that situation. |
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Reply | Refwatch: Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 13:24 2 Apr 2024
I saw it in real time exactly as DA describes it. Those on the commentary initially felt similar. ‘He could be in trouble here etc.’
With the benefit of a replay, however, you could see Mitchell was actually a lot more in control of the challenge than first appeared and that the ball wasn’t under the control of Parkes, hence why Mitchell getting to it first propelled it in his direction of travel.
The problem is, any challenge like that these days, where momentum takes you through an opponent, is leaving a player open to a poor call, because it is down to the referee’s interpretation of what constitutes endangering an opponent under the ‘serious foul play’ criteria.
I’ve seen plenty of comments saying: ‘But he won the ball’. Unfortunately, you can still win the ball and have been deemed to have endangered an opponent, meaning you can still be booked/sent off.
Personally, I think, after seeing it again, it was indeed a good old-fashioned, full-blooded challenge for a 50/50 ball. The sort that in the 90s would have been cheered and definitely not attracted the furore it did yesterday. I certainly wouldn’t have interpreted as a red on second viewing.
As has been said in another post, the FA has worded its laws in such a way that it is down to the referee’s interpretation of the incident. Similarly, any appeal would be down to someone else’s interpretation. I’m sure the club will get some sound advice before deciding what to do next. |
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