| Match Thread 14:18 - Jul 26 with 9839 views | dale18 |
Dale XI v Boro: Lillis, Rafferty, Lancashire, Tanser, Done, Hery, Lund, Allen, Hendo, Donnelly, Andrew #RAFC |  | | |  |
| Match Thread on 21:07 - Jul 26 with 3005 views | ChaffRAFC |
| Match Thread on 20:58 - Jul 26 by Brierls |
I don't know where the goals are going to come from. I think we can rely on Henderson and Hery to get 15 between them, but I can't see an awful lot beyond that.
Andrew is a better option than Donnelly, but god help us if they play together.
I wouldn't be as worried if we were water-tight defensively but we're really not! As things stand I think we'll concede a few too many and score nowhere near enough.
The addition of a Dawson type figure to protect the back four, and a goalscoring striker will make things look infinately more rosey! |
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| If I hadn't seen such riches, I could live with being poor |
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| Match Thread on 21:09 - Jul 26 with 2992 views | olympicdale |
The defence seems to be up in the air at the moment in regards to who is the preferred choice in every position. In the middle it has to be Eastham and Lancashire, I would expect the bury game to be the one where he picks his starting 11, or near as damn it, for the Peterborough game. |  |
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| Match Thread on 23:26 - Jul 26 with 2794 views | Yorkshire_Dale |
There seemed to be a great deal of banter between the official Boro photographer and some of the Sandy lot......the charming lass seemed to be showing off her shots to the lads?
........especially the penalties? | | | |
| Match Thread on 01:45 - Jul 27 with 2690 views | TalkingSutty |
| Match Thread on 18:09 - Jul 26 by ChaffRAFC |
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a right miserable get a lot of the time but I really thought today was poor. I might not be showing enough faith but I'm not sure Hill knows what team he's likely to field against Peterborough. Our two best centre ba ks for instance currently are Lancashire and Eastham yet they've not played together this pre-season. We lack bite in midfield anf have nobody to break the play up becausr all out better midfield options like Lund, Hery and Allen are more your attack minded players. A defensive midfielder coming in is essential.
The system we played today saw Allen get pushed out wide and he can't do it well enough and constantly pulls back inside leaving us wide open. We looked a lot better when Vincenti came on and we had more shape.
Calvin Andrew did well and you had to feel for him with George playing next to him. Fiest half especially, Donnelly was garbage. Improved slightly in the second half but that wasn't enough.
It's blatant enough that we need a goalscorer and we do not seem to have one and we can't rely on 10 goals a season from Henderson ad being our main threat. If we don't stregthen in the two areas I've mentioned then I don't see us staying up.
More rabbits need to come out of hats now. |
Halelujah, i thought it was just me. Its time for some straight talking, if Hilly thinks we have the tools to compete in league one he must be sleep walking. Are we going to give everybody else a start before we begin to recruit and give ourselves a chance?
Watched all the friendlies and overall feel down hearted. Its supposed to be entertainment and its mind numbing to watch. I feel sorry for our better players because our lack of recruitment is letting them down.
Hilly states it will be a few weeks into the season before he gets some loan players in so basically we start the season not prepared ?
The game was a shambles no matter what spin Hilly puts on it. Our next home game is the real thing and the players gained no confidence from today.
This post has been edited by an administrator |  | | |
| Match Thread on 07:06 - Jul 27 with 2606 views | gigger |
Well I have to give your fans some credit, still singing at 8pm outside cemetery!!!!!!!
Either the performance of Calvin" not a striker" Andrew was worth a bloody good drink!
Or my scenario!!!!!! To much sun and drink..........
Either way 3 hours after final whistle of a friendly not bad at all... |  |
| What's happened to kel ??? |
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| Match Thread on 08:11 - Jul 27 with 2554 views | macro |
| Match Thread on 01:45 - Jul 27 by TalkingSutty |
Halelujah, i thought it was just me. Its time for some straight talking, if Hilly thinks we have the tools to compete in league one he must be sleep walking. Are we going to give everybody else a start before we begin to recruit and give ourselves a chance?
Watched all the friendlies and overall feel down hearted. Its supposed to be entertainment and its mind numbing to watch. I feel sorry for our better players because our lack of recruitment is letting them down.
Hilly states it will be a few weeks into the season before he gets some loan players in so basically we start the season not prepared ?
The game was a shambles no matter what spin Hilly puts on it. Our next home game is the real thing and the players gained no confidence from today.
This post has been edited by an administrator |
Today was the first friendly where I thought there's trouble ahead. We played well v Bolton but the lack of attacking options were highlighted and today the same again added to by a weak defensive display. |  | | |
| Match Thread on 08:28 - Jul 27 with 2539 views | ColDale |
I'm not worried.
We tried 4-4-2. We won't play that way this season, but preseason is for trying these things out. It didn't work yesterday as it meant people being out of position, and from that I can't see a situation all season where we have the likes of Jamie Allen played out wide to accommodate two up top.
The Bolton game is a much clearer indication of how we will do. Even tho it was an under strength team, we showed the ability to pass the ball to our heart's content. Reverting to the three man midfield, which will predominantly be Hery, Allen and Lund will see us control games, and play the game in the opposition half.
Maybe its a preseason thing but there was exactly the same fears on here twelve months ago. Last season's side didn't have enough goals in it, we wouldn't be able to compete etc. |  | | |
| Match Thread on 08:50 - Jul 27 with 2512 views | fitzochris |
| Match Thread on 08:28 - Jul 27 by ColDale |
I'm not worried.
We tried 4-4-2. We won't play that way this season, but preseason is for trying these things out. It didn't work yesterday as it meant people being out of position, and from that I can't see a situation all season where we have the likes of Jamie Allen played out wide to accommodate two up top.
The Bolton game is a much clearer indication of how we will do. Even tho it was an under strength team, we showed the ability to pass the ball to our heart's content. Reverting to the three man midfield, which will predominantly be Hery, Allen and Lund will see us control games, and play the game in the opposition half.
Maybe its a preseason thing but there was exactly the same fears on here twelve months ago. Last season's side didn't have enough goals in it, we wouldn't be able to compete etc. |
I guess it is the wont of a football fan to raise concerns at pre-season. No fan ever seems 100% happy. Look at fans of the top Premiership clubs. Arsenal fans moaning they need a Cav and a striker, despite them signing a world class attacking midfielder in Sanchez. Chelsea fans too, are moaning for strikers, as they have too many midfielders. The Liverpool lot are up in arms because they haven't suitably replaced the Hungry One.
I guess we all have our opinions on where we need to strengthen etc, but we need to trust the men hired to make these decisions. In our case, I think we can all agree that the right man is in charge.
Let's see who comes in this week. If we're still having these feelings on the eve of the Peterborough game, then fair enough, but I'm hopeful we won't be. |  |
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| Match Thread on 09:33 - Jul 27 with 2454 views | 1907 |
Jesus Christ some of these reactions are laughable. Wind it in a bit please. Hill went 442 against a very good Championship side. The tidyest team I've seen at Spotland for a very long time and they ran amok in midfield. It was a trial, a good workout and maybe even a wake up call for the likes of Lund (yet to sign his contract) that maybe he isn't quite ready for a big money move yet...
We will be fine, and any of you doubting otherwise need to take a minute and remember who our manager is. | | | |
| Match Thread on 09:45 - Jul 27 with 2432 views | TalkingSutty |
| Match Thread on 08:28 - Jul 27 by ColDale |
I'm not worried.
We tried 4-4-2. We won't play that way this season, but preseason is for trying these things out. It didn't work yesterday as it meant people being out of position, and from that I can't see a situation all season where we have the likes of Jamie Allen played out wide to accommodate two up top.
The Bolton game is a much clearer indication of how we will do. Even tho it was an under strength team, we showed the ability to pass the ball to our heart's content. Reverting to the three man midfield, which will predominantly be Hery, Allen and Lund will see us control games, and play the game in the opposition half.
Maybe its a preseason thing but there was exactly the same fears on here twelve months ago. Last season's side didn't have enough goals in it, we wouldn't be able to compete etc. |
I admire your confidence but don't see our midfield controlling games in league one as you state. Allen and Hery are still young kids and no matter what people suggest there is a gulf between league one and two and I expect both those players to struggle at times due to their age,lack of experience and physical stature.I like them both, Hery in particular but it's not a given that they will flourish in a higher league.I hope your right though. | | | |
| Match Thread on 09:50 - Jul 27 with 2409 views | 442Dale |
| Match Thread on 09:45 - Jul 27 by TalkingSutty |
I admire your confidence but don't see our midfield controlling games in league one as you state. Allen and Hery are still young kids and no matter what people suggest there is a gulf between league one and two and I expect both those players to struggle at times due to their age,lack of experience and physical stature.I like them both, Hery in particular but it's not a given that they will flourish in a higher league.I hope your right though. |
The first thing we have to do is give the three of them an opportunity to control a game by playing a formation that suits them. For whatever reason, we've not seen that yet.
I understand the need to experiment and test players in different roles, but limiting them as we did yesterday with Allen wide and Andrew having to play with Donnelly in a two is maybe an experiment we didn't need to try. |  |
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| Match Thread on 13:26 - Jul 27 with 2209 views | YouTubeDale |
We are desperate to see Muldoon and what he can bring to the table. People are saying we may see him at bury. One thing is for sure, he will not be risked if he isn't ready. It seems we are relying on him getting 10 + goals this season. Keith is confident in his abilities, so we should take comfort in that.
Also, I know we have experimented at the back but we are still conceding from corners. Man marking surely isn't that difficult.
It does seem likely that it will be early September before we see a couple of quality loan signings. Until then, we hope we can put a few points on the table to keep up with the pack. |  |
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| Match Thread on 15:14 - Jul 27 with 2089 views | 49thseason |
Is it not the case that some of the tactics and formations are devised to put individuals and sections of the squad under pressure? Its a bit late to find out if we have the required attributes within the squad when we start playing games in anger
Once upon a time , pre-season was the means to get match fit, I dont think that is now the case. Pre-season has been a mixture of 90 minute games to get some sharpness and a number of tests against better quality teams.I don't suggest for a minute that what we have seen over the last 8 days is a reflection of what will happen against Peterborough, but at least now the management team will have some alternatives in mind that they can try if needs must, and some players have been put under different pressures in unfamiliar positions - all grist to the mill for the forthcoming season IMHO |  | | |
| Match Thread on 16:38 - Jul 27 with 1997 views | olympicdale |
| Match Thread on 01:45 - Jul 27 by TalkingSutty |
Halelujah, i thought it was just me. Its time for some straight talking, if Hilly thinks we have the tools to compete in league one he must be sleep walking. Are we going to give everybody else a start before we begin to recruit and give ourselves a chance?
Watched all the friendlies and overall feel down hearted. Its supposed to be entertainment and its mind numbing to watch. I feel sorry for our better players because our lack of recruitment is letting them down.
Hilly states it will be a few weeks into the season before he gets some loan players in so basically we start the season not prepared ?
The game was a shambles no matter what spin Hilly puts on it. Our next home game is the real thing and the players gained no confidence from today.
This post has been edited by an administrator |
Nothing like an overreaction. We played a near full strength Boro side, one that will probably finish around the top half dozen in the Championship, we are basically still a league 2 squad, and anyone who is concerned after being beaten by a strong championship team clearly has much too high a expectation about this team of ours. If a team with Boros quality can't expose a l2 defence then I'd be worried, a £3m striker, and a quality player like Tomlin would be a handful for a strong L1 team. I am in no doubt that we need to bring in more quality up front, but we will not come up against a team of this quality in league one, once we have a settled side, I think we'll be fine. [Post edited 27 Jul 2014 16:43]
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| Match Thread on 17:59 - Jul 27 with 1885 views | nordenblue |
| Match Thread on 16:38 - Jul 27 by olympicdale |
Nothing like an overreaction. We played a near full strength Boro side, one that will probably finish around the top half dozen in the Championship, we are basically still a league 2 squad, and anyone who is concerned after being beaten by a strong championship team clearly has much too high a expectation about this team of ours. If a team with Boros quality can't expose a l2 defence then I'd be worried, a £3m striker, and a quality player like Tomlin would be a handful for a strong L1 team. I am in no doubt that we need to bring in more quality up front, but we will not come up against a team of this quality in league one, once we have a settled side, I think we'll be fine. [Post edited 27 Jul 2014 16:43]
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Not an overreaction its based on what hes seen and by all accounts good reason to be a little concerned, Hillys no mug and im sure hes got a master plan just hope its not a little to late in actually turning it into a full strength team | | | |
| Match Thread on 21:31 - Jul 27 with 1688 views | TVOS1907 |
| Match Thread on 16:38 - Jul 27 by olympicdale |
Nothing like an overreaction. We played a near full strength Boro side, one that will probably finish around the top half dozen in the Championship, we are basically still a league 2 squad, and anyone who is concerned after being beaten by a strong championship team clearly has much too high a expectation about this team of ours. If a team with Boros quality can't expose a l2 defence then I'd be worried, a £3m striker, and a quality player like Tomlin would be a handful for a strong L1 team. I am in no doubt that we need to bring in more quality up front, but we will not come up against a team of this quality in league one, once we have a settled side, I think we'll be fine. [Post edited 27 Jul 2014 16:43]
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You're right; TalkingSutty's post is nothing like an over-reaction. It's genuine comments and opinion based on what he's seen in all the friendlies and they are views shared by a lot of people who don't necessarily post on here.
However, we all have confidence in Hill to get it right when it matters, but it doesn't mean the current results and performances can't be commented on as well, regardless of the opposition. |  |
| When I was your age, I used to enjoy the odd game of tennis. Or was it golf? |
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| Match Thread on 21:59 - Jul 27 with 1649 views | WhiteyBFC |
| Match Thread on 20:58 - Jul 26 by Brierls |
I don't know where the goals are going to come from. I think we can rely on Henderson and Hery to get 15 between them, but I can't see an awful lot beyond that.
Andrew is a better option than Donnelly, but god help us if they play together.
I wouldn't be as worried if we were water-tight defensively but we're really not! As things stand I think we'll concede a few too many and score nowhere near enough.
The addition of a Dawson type figure to protect the back four, and a goalscoring striker will make things look infinately more rosey! |
Dawson wouldn't protect your back four. You wouldn't want him anywhere near them, he's too hot headed. He's a central midfielder who is more attacking than defensive. I might be wrong like, but having seen most of his 80 games or whatever for us I doubt it.
But if he left us because the financial package wasn't right, then I'd be stunned if Dale were able to offer him more.
I'm just glad he's not with us anymore, and I hope he doesn't sign for you too. He's just not very good, and the midfielders that ran the show for Boro yesterday made him look the average player he is against us the day we were relegated.
I think some of you are overly concerned, and maybe you should be, but not because of the game yesterday. It wasn't Boro's first choice XI, hell, Jacob probably wouldn't be in it if so, but it was still pretty close to it, and they were told to relax at half time. So trust me, you/we won't be coming up against sides like that regularly this season. I see it being very very tight, with very few points separating the top 12 clubs. Get off to a good start, and the 8 months after that will be easier.
Oh, and what is the point of the guy on the announce system? I can never understand what he's saying. Sounds like that guy doing the DJ'ing on Phoenix Nights. |  | | |
| Match Thread on 22:25 - Jul 27 with 1610 views | TVOS1907 |
| Match Thread on 21:59 - Jul 27 by WhiteyBFC |
Dawson wouldn't protect your back four. You wouldn't want him anywhere near them, he's too hot headed. He's a central midfielder who is more attacking than defensive. I might be wrong like, but having seen most of his 80 games or whatever for us I doubt it.
But if he left us because the financial package wasn't right, then I'd be stunned if Dale were able to offer him more.
I'm just glad he's not with us anymore, and I hope he doesn't sign for you too. He's just not very good, and the midfielders that ran the show for Boro yesterday made him look the average player he is against us the day we were relegated.
I think some of you are overly concerned, and maybe you should be, but not because of the game yesterday. It wasn't Boro's first choice XI, hell, Jacob probably wouldn't be in it if so, but it was still pretty close to it, and they were told to relax at half time. So trust me, you/we won't be coming up against sides like that regularly this season. I see it being very very tight, with very few points separating the top 12 clubs. Get off to a good start, and the 8 months after that will be easier.
Oh, and what is the point of the guy on the announce system? I can never understand what he's saying. Sounds like that guy doing the DJ'ing on Phoenix Nights. |
Shabba.
Is Jacob Butterfield a different player to Jacob Butterfly? | |
| When I was your age, I used to enjoy the odd game of tennis. Or was it golf? |
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| Match Thread on 23:01 - Jul 27 with 1559 views | WhiteyBFC |
| Match Thread on 22:25 - Jul 27 by TVOS1907 |
Shabba.
Is Jacob Butterfield a different player to Jacob Butterfly? |
Wasn't the latter an 80's WWF wrestler? | | | |
| Match Thread on 23:13 - Jul 27 with 1548 views | TVOS1907 |
| Match Thread on 23:01 - Jul 27 by WhiteyBFC |
Wasn't the latter an 80's WWF wrestler? |
442Dale's the man to answer that question. | |
| When I was your age, I used to enjoy the odd game of tennis. Or was it golf? |
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| Match Thread on 23:15 - Jul 27 with 1544 views | 442Dale |
| Match Thread on 23:01 - Jul 27 by WhiteyBFC |
Wasn't the latter an 80's WWF wrestler? |
He wasn't, but he should have been. | |
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| Match Thread on 09:44 - Jul 28 with 1346 views | irisaln |
| Match Thread on 17:59 - Jul 27 by nordenblue |
Not an overreaction its based on what hes seen and by all accounts good reason to be a little concerned, Hillys no mug and im sure hes got a master plan just hope its not a little to late in actually turning it into a full strength team |
Hillys no mug ????? I'll give u one reason why he is, shall I. Georgie D. Any striker who has to play beside him is at a disadvantage and made to look poor! This hard working very poor footballer is fit only for the lower leagues. I must say i do enjoy a laugh but i've seen enough of him now with his 5 goals a season. ( one penalty and one that hit him on the goal line and went in.) I'll put up with him for the last 15 min. but that's it. To start a game with him is like starting with 10 men and all but Hilly can see it. MYSTERY TO ME. Of course it's just my opinion. | | | |
| Match Thread on 10:43 - Jul 28 with 1258 views | Brierls |
| Match Thread on 09:44 - Jul 28 by irisaln |
Hillys no mug ????? I'll give u one reason why he is, shall I. Georgie D. Any striker who has to play beside him is at a disadvantage and made to look poor! This hard working very poor footballer is fit only for the lower leagues. I must say i do enjoy a laugh but i've seen enough of him now with his 5 goals a season. ( one penalty and one that hit him on the goal line and went in.) I'll put up with him for the last 15 min. but that's it. To start a game with him is like starting with 10 men and all but Hilly can see it. MYSTERY TO ME. Of course it's just my opinion. |
Correct.
On the opening bit of your post, at least. The "Hillys no mug" bit. He is the best manager this club has ever had, and probably will ever have. As TVOS has said above, the vast majority trust in Hilly to get it right when it matters, but we are airing our views based on what we've seen so far in pre-season.
I don't see where the goals are going to come from, but if Hilly can then I'm delighted with that. He knows a tad more about football than I do, and gets it right 100% of the time, 90% of the time!  |  | | |
| Match Thread on 10:51 - Jul 28 with 1240 views | ColDale |
| Match Thread on 09:44 - Jul 28 by irisaln |
Hillys no mug ????? I'll give u one reason why he is, shall I. Georgie D. Any striker who has to play beside him is at a disadvantage and made to look poor! This hard working very poor footballer is fit only for the lower leagues. I must say i do enjoy a laugh but i've seen enough of him now with his 5 goals a season. ( one penalty and one that hit him on the goal line and went in.) I'll put up with him for the last 15 min. but that's it. To start a game with him is like starting with 10 men and all but Hilly can see it. MYSTERY TO ME. Of course it's just my opinion. |
Hill never signed George. His contract was signed before he came back and the extension was agreed as part of that original deal.
He started just sixteen games last season. Many of which will have been forced upon Hill through injury to Scott Hogan. The change of squad number would suggest that Hill doesn't see Donnelly in his plans as much. But its yet another feather in Hill's cap that he gained us promotion with Donnelly as part of the squad, and he sees something that Grant, Gornell or Grimes could not offer. | | | |
| Match Thread on 11:00 - Jul 28 with 1224 views | Brierls |
| Match Thread on 21:59 - Jul 27 by WhiteyBFC |
Dawson wouldn't protect your back four. You wouldn't want him anywhere near them, he's too hot headed. He's a central midfielder who is more attacking than defensive. I might be wrong like, but having seen most of his 80 games or whatever for us I doubt it.
But if he left us because the financial package wasn't right, then I'd be stunned if Dale were able to offer him more.
I'm just glad he's not with us anymore, and I hope he doesn't sign for you too. He's just not very good, and the midfielders that ran the show for Boro yesterday made him look the average player he is against us the day we were relegated.
I think some of you are overly concerned, and maybe you should be, but not because of the game yesterday. It wasn't Boro's first choice XI, hell, Jacob probably wouldn't be in it if so, but it was still pretty close to it, and they were told to relax at half time. So trust me, you/we won't be coming up against sides like that regularly this season. I see it being very very tight, with very few points separating the top 12 clubs. Get off to a good start, and the 8 months after that will be easier.
Oh, and what is the point of the guy on the announce system? I can never understand what he's saying. Sounds like that guy doing the DJ'ing on Phoenix Nights. |
Dawson may not have been up to it at Championship level but he looked quality at League Two level, so should look decent in League One. He has been more of a box to box midfielder when I've seen him play. He might not be the most technically gifted, but he's good at the ugly stuff. If Dawson can get amongst the opposition and hassle them into making mistakes, the likes of Lund, Hery, Allen & Henderson have the quality to hurt the opposition.
I have no idea if we're even close to signing Dawson, from what you've said about wages it seems unlikely, but I thought the same about Dicker.
I know we won't come up against teams of Boro's quality, I'd be surprised if they miss out on the playoffs in the Championship. My concerns were based around what we did with the ball, there's not an awful lot you can do when a class Championship team are pinging it around and playing keep ball. I'm not a fan of English sides (below the Premier League, anyway) signing foreign players, I think it should be the breeding ground for good English talent, but Kike was a class apart playing the #9 role. | | | |
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