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Not posted on here for a significant amount of time, but this is my best attempt to articulate where I believe we currently are as a football club:
My opinion: Our current situation all stems from utterly diabolical recruitment since the day BBM left the door. I know many on here aren’t BBM’s biggest fan but his recruitment was pretty much impeccable. The drop off in quality recruits since his departure is there for everyone to see. It’s been lazy, haphazard and square pegs in round holes much of the time. What we are now is a by-product of that, and is exactly what we’ve been planning towards for the last 18-24 months: a team with no identity, cohesion, way of playing, or spirit; not to add no noticeable saleable assets within the squad (something you always have to have in your arsenal for the inevitable financial difficulties a club like us is facing) We are and always will be a selling club and have to be in a position internally to constantly evolve and capture new talent at the right time for the right price, with some room for error for every recruit not being successful. This leads to my thoughts of the off-the-field matters at the moment. We have a board of directors who to their credit have been fantastic in staving off the hostile takeover and beginning our trajectory to a sustainable football club at the heart of the community. Sadly, the modern day rigours of EFL dictate that on-the-field performances drives your off-the-pitch outlook. To put it brutally, our Board of directors have not begun to work towards establishing a footballing culture, where we recruit managers, players etc to fit the mould of what we are all about. I don’t necessarily blame them for this but we as a matter of urgency need a Director of Football style of expertise to supplement the great community work that the existing BoD display and prioritise.
We’re being left behind, and very quickly. To build a strategy, an identity and a clear concise structure takes time and I fear that even if we do stay up this season we’ll be in the exact same position again because we haven’t put the building blocks into place for a thriving elite football environment.
Short term, my expectation is more to focus on how many players we can depart with in January and how many quality players we can recruit. As fans, we really need to try to unite as much as we possibly can. We’ll documented financial difficulties suggests we need invest in the club where we can, whether this be swapping your pre match pint for the ratcliffe arms or investing some savings into shares. It’s going to be a bumpy ride but I for one am up for the fight.
If it wasn't safe to do so then I personally wouldn't be pushing this but given some of the other recreational activities we can participate in as a nation this is a no brainier.
Football clubs have spent significant amounts to make stadiums safe to visit. We need fans back in grounds immediately!
If anyone can spare 45 minutes this is a really good listen. What a top class guy Jonah was for Dale. We’ve all been very lucky to watch him in Dale Blue! 🔵⚫ï¸
We're past the half way point of the season now. Good time to reflect on the signings BBM has made and how they've done up to now.
Sanchez - Outstanding. A great find. O'Connell - Unbelievable how he's been persuaded to join us. Great piece of business. Norrington-Davies - Again, a great find and will go on to bigger and better things. Pyke - Deserved a second chance after last season but unfortunately not good enough for league football. Magloire - Useful back up. Seems clumsy on the football pitch but good cover. Ryan - Signed on reputation. Bedded into the squad at a sensible pace and now reaping the rewards of his undoubted quality. Been outstanding recently. Lynch - Seems solid. Good planning for next year without Sanchez.
So, so far so good. Cant argue with the recruitment and really good signs he can be trusted in the transfer market. Imagine if he had a budget to work with!!!
This squad of players were so impressive to watch prior to the worst run of injuries I have ever witnessed in professional football. We have got the resources/squad to support this crisis. Jesus Christ not many teams do.
BBM’s record both last season / this season (with a full to reasonable contingent of squad) has been amazing and thus must be remembered. The man needs another transfer window, support from the terraces and a fair crack at a full compliment of players.
Judging him IMO is cruel and takes away from the real problems we have at our club.
In BBM I trust. PLEASE let’s get behind him throughout what will be the toughest period of his managerial career.
Think this lad deserves a little bit more credit than what he's been getting. I accept he has his limitations but the last two games I think he's been superb. Playing in unfamiliar positions since his tenure began at Dale. all conducted with no fuss whatsoever.
Think we should really appreciate his versatility in what has been a trying season on the injury front. Not the long term solution but appreciate his contributions nonetheless.
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