I'm determined not to make this a doom and gloom post. Or even an upbeat post about looking forward to next season and the changes that are going to be made and maybe a season where we win a few games. Or even an angry post about Steve Eyre or Chris Beech. I simply want this post to say "Why?". 

When Steve Eyre took the job as manager of Rochdale AFC in the summer of 2011, he was an unknown between us supporters. We were told, by Chris Dunphy, and Lovecity and several other characters the following: 

Steve Eyre had been a youth coach at Manchester City for several years and guided their youth sides to several trophies. 

Steve Eyre had contacts galore from within the game... Mainly at Manchester City of course. 

He was bringing in Frankie Bunn as his number 2, who also supposedly had many contacts within the game and experience as a coach and assistant manager at other (bigger) clubs. 

He had come on recommendation of Keith Hill, and supposedly had the same footballing ethos' as probably the best manager we've ever had. 

I spoke to a close friend of mine days after his appointment. This friend is a huge City fan, who's travelled all over Europe watching The Citizens. He claimed he'd only heard is name in passing and that Jim Cassell was the mastermind behind City's success at youth level. From there on in I had my doubts. 

A few months down the line with the club staring relegation directly in the face, Eyre left and Chris Beech was placed in charge as interim manager, and we were told that during the summer, Beech had been a 'hairs width' from Eyre in the application process. 

Now, I ask why? I understand Beech's record in charge at Dale was a miserable one, but it's hard to say he would have been just as poor had he been given the summer to shape his own squad and motivate the players. And his record at Youth Level in charge of ROCHDALE, was terrific. I emphasise ROCHDALE, because, that's the club he had the success at. Many lauded Dunphy for trying an unproven manager (as he did with Hill) and taking a risk that appeared to be a positive one (like he did with Hill). Except, surely, if Dunphy was looking for Keith Hill Mark 2, then Chris Beech would have been the more viable option? 

I spoke to a former youth player who shall not be named as the interviews were occurring, and he told me he would be both shocked and devastated for Beechy should he not get the job. He said he deserved it, playing wonderful football, learning from Hill himself and that he had been a great servant to the club over the last few years. I had made the point that John Coleman would be my first choice (people should listen to me more...), but he was adamant Beech would take over. 

As for the contacts, Beech clearly had half-decent contacts too. Bogdanovic and Ormerod from his former club Blackpool were seen as coups for the club even if they were only on one month loan deals, and the signing of Kurucz was seen by many as a decent one, as the West Ham keeper (Allardyce knowing Beech from their Blackpool days together presumably) put in some decent performances and was seen by many as a better keeper than Jake Kean who Steve Eyre brought in. 

Eyre's contacts proved to be pretty average. Manchester City only gave us Harry Bunn on loan, (presumably coming because his dad was assistant manager rather than any reason to do with choosing Dale over Preston or Oldham for example...) and Ahmad Benali. Who was a terrific signing... 

I know this is all well and good to say now, and none of us will ever see that fantastical Steve Eyre job application - it just seems an issue that nobody else has mentioned over the course of the season. I'm right behind Mr. Dunphy, I always have been and I back any decision he may make, but I would love to be given a reason as to what gave Mr.Eyre that smidgeon of an advantage over Mr.Beech. 

Anyway, I know I said I didn't want to make this an upbeat post but I feel I should give it an upbeat ending. I never thought relegation would feel like this. I feel so confident that this club has the right manager to take things forward once again. A clear-out of several players, and hopefully some of the money that we're supposedly sitting on being put in to the transfer budget, and hopefully we can have a successful season next season. 

Keep the Faith. We'll be back. What are the odds on a 3rd place finish in 2052 with Sam Minihan as gaffer? 

Photo: Action Images

Dale_316 added 19:09 - Apr 22 i agree
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SalwaDale added 19:14 - Apr 22 Good blog. There does seem to be a lot more negativity from youth players about Beech though.
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frenzied added 20:04 - Apr 22 Eyre would have been a sound appointment if the club was an already established league one side say for instance with 5 yrs plus in the division . However he came in late at a time when our better players were moving on to pastures new. He had not a clue as to the standard of player req to remain in league one and indeed brought in some of the worst loanees ive ever seen. The team seemed to almost treat sat afternoons as a time to go out for a game of footy with a very languid approach and as soon as the opposition scored we were beaten...the man was hopeless tactically and his motivational skills were non existent ..a poor first half was too often followed by a dire second. Coleman is a different beast completely and i hope he clears out the dead wood...its not that they are bad players ,they just arent good enough if we wish to progress.

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SuddenLad added 20:42 - Apr 22 Relegation isn't a new phenomenon in my lifetime as a Dale supporter, but I have to say this team isn't anything like as bad as the Dale side that last dropped to the fourth tier. The feeling as a supporter is worse, however, because I honestly believed that after a 9th place finish last season, we were well placed to 'push on' and consolidate our status as a League One side. Ha. As to why it's happened. Well, you'd need a bURY fan and all his 6 fingers of one hand to point out the reasons. Wrong managerial appointment, followed by wrong signings, loss of key players, loss of back-room staff, misuse of loan system, wrong mix of personalities in the dressing room. Like most Dale fans, I was quite prepared to accept and back Chris Dunphy's judgement in his selection of manager, and from there, back the manager to do the job. However, other than the Giggle Lane and QPR victories, the early season efforts are instantly forgettable. Dross in fact. Completely at sea, and way out of our depth. No physical presence, too lightweight and no tactical awareness. It quickly became apparent that Steve Eyre was struggling to command the respect of his squad, and struggled to understand the rigours, or even the basics of League One football. The defeat at Bradford in the FA Cup should have been the catalyst that saw him vacate the Spotland hot-seat. Subsequent decisions were too late in coming, the inter-regnum involving Beech was not only a mistake, it lasted too long, and ultimately it proved fatal for our chance of retaining our League One status. Ironically, we re-join our spiritual home of League Two in a healthier financial position than which we left it, and we have a management team in charge who know the intricacies and vagaries of League Two football as well as any management team at that level. John Coleman & Jimmy Bell may not win a personality contest, but I firmly believe they have what it takes to be winners - something that too many of the present squad don't seem to be able to grasp. Regardless of who they are, whether or not they are on contracts, ALL players should be aware that none of them are bigger than this club, none of them are better that the shirt they wear, and absolutely NONE of them will have an affinity for Dale like the supporters do. I remember Danny Bergara forcibly telling a Dale player as he was being substituted, that unless you are prepared to give everything you've got for this club, week-in, week-out, and EVERY time you pull the shirt over your head, then you can look elsewhere for a job. Never was that statement more apt than today. Roll on August. Up the Dale.

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LoungeLizardMC added 00:28 - Apr 23 Great blog, and I massively agree with suddenlad's comment. up the dale
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Mass_Debater added 09:52 - Apr 23 'The defeat at Bradford in the FA Cup should have been the catalyst that saw him vacate the Spotland hot-seat' Correct. So how come you spent the next month saying the opposite and criticising anyone who wanted him out?
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SuddenLad added 11:38 - Apr 23 Because, at the time, we were being convinced by those 'upstairs' and 'in the know' that things were quickly going to improve, that it was 'early days' in his managerial career and in any case, we were still at a relatively early stage of the season. Changing managers every few months is obviously NOT the way forward. The old thing about 'hindsight' and all that. Great, isn't it. It seemed to me at the time that sacking a manager so early into his tenure was not the thing to do, either for the benefit of the club, the newly acquired players or the man himself and especially a manager in his first season, and still largely finding his feet. What came afterwards showed that (as Chris Dunphy so eloquently said) Eyre was not capable of turning it round. Even CD now admits that he left the decision too late, but for the 'right' reasons. We also had people telling us of brilliant signings in Trotman, who once 'commanded a massive fee', was a 'solid defender', a 'colossus' and 'a great coup' for the club. Ashley Grimes, a fantastic player......and so it goes on. Some supporters are already asking for Coleman to be fired. We don't all have to jump on a bandwagon, just because someone else sets it in motion.

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geraldo added 12:45 - Apr 24 Saw JC on TV last night and he said that the team starting next season would be very different than the one ending this. I wonder which players he will keep? I would keep very few; Goalie - but not as first choice Long - if we can sign him JK - assuming he isnt sold Tuttee - ditto JLAA Jonah still has a year left on his contract but after this season's performances and his reported bust up with the management team then I cant see him staying except in some coaching capacity.

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DaleMS added 08:54 - Apr 25 Fair comment to a degree ut Coleman is a loser make no mistakes . The fault lies at Dunpys feet he has never made a good decision at this club. He should of sacked one of the worst managers to evergrace Spotland Steve Parkin on his first day in charge. He "fell " on Hill and Flitcroft whilst he was dithering , they made the job their own. He was very lucky there. Then he gave the job to a clueless and useless Eyre who came from nowhere, he eventually grew a pair and got rid of him, then hoped that Beech could be a Hill but unfortunately he wasnt that good. So then he appointed a scouse loser to drag us right down and give the REAL fans no hope whatsoever. Dunphy is an idiot and so is anyone backing Coleman this guy is as clueless as the rest this season. Bring in the Accington pals Bellend you have all the ex players numbers.

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