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Acknowledged that we have a few out that when fit would definitely start.
Gilmour Rodney and Tar plus Sassi & McNicholas to name 5.
We have a more than decent squad and the injury list should be a real chance for the players on the fringe to step up and cement their own place in the starting XI. When these fringe players get their chance they look really off the pace, restricted, frustrated and generally confused as to how to influence the game.
One final example is East he is a magnificent player one of the best in the division when he is driving towards goal in the final 3rd. We are not getting any value when he is almost touching hands with the Centre half on his own 18 yard line.
To finish on a positive I really did think Allarakhia was the one Dale player prepared to actually take on the Southend defenders and was our stand out shining light. We also looked more like Dale with the introduction of Henderson and McBride who sparked a little in the final 3rd.
Anyway its a local Derby in 24 hours time I am really hoping we can take the game by the scruff of the neck and play like we all know we can.
Up the Dale - I am going for a home win tomorrow to put the Saturday nightmare to bed.
The slow play has slowed even further to a point of the game almost stopping.
Hogan on more than one occasion was stood over a stationary ball for several seconds to then play the safest of safe passes to either Beckwith or Gordon. They then gave the ball back to Hogan for this nonsense to continue.
Throw in the very occasional forward ball to either Henry or East who have dropped so deep its a 10 yard pass whilst they are facing their own goal. It really is a soul destroying spectacle.
Several times yesterday (quite a few occasions) we did not cross the half way line whilst in possession. Southend just pressed - waited for a heavy touch and got the ball back far to easily. Get the ball wide / forward / quicker FFS.
Play the goal back several passages of play and it resulted in us giving the ball away far too cheaply. It was coming.. again like Solihull we just giftwrapped and handed over any initiative not that we had any in that first half. Southend very quickly realised they were onto something and it was a cringe able embarrassing watch that first half.
If this continues for any length of time not only will we drop to mid-table obscurity but we have zero chance of getting any more fans through the gate.
If McNulty will not change then I think its up to the fans to start showing some vocal displeasure in this turgid style that the manager is persevering with.
I think enough really is enough. The deserved boos that could be heard at full time will only get louder unless some pace and some passion is shown when we cross the white line.
Kyron Gordon has already posted about the game on X and he is obviously gutted. He has had a good season and one game should not TAR his achievements so far.
TAR - I like what you did there.
Yes its a disappointment and the Ebbfleet first goal that fanned the jitter flame was some opportunist brilliance.
Away point and 7 points from the last 9 available.
Hoping Jim has the contacts and the budget to plug the defense injury holes and the young lads up top can step up now they will be given the opportunity.
Up the Dale.. Lets have a right go at Fylde in the cup on Saturday.
In 12 games so far our main threat is down that right hand side.
The commentary from the Aldershot game on DAZN waxed Lyrical about it.
The relationship and understanding between Gordon and TAR is something we have not seen in a very long time. Its only getting better as well and when TAR drives forward and pings the ball back across the 6 yard line with on rushing Dale forwards it will lead to plenty of opportunity. Sadly at Home we dont see enough of it and its this type of edge of your seat Wingery that paying punters love.
Opposition could double up of course but that then leaves so many spaces through the middle or down the left hand side.
The playing out sensibly from the back is something here to stay (for now until Pep tries something new). We do this quite well and I can see some advantages.
Its the drilling of the ball to a defensive midfielder on the edge of our own box with at least two opposition forwards on his shoulder that i will never buy into!.
I am a lot closer to the TS theory than the other mindset of we are at the start of a 3 year run at promotion.
This league there is nothing in it. Find the home key and we will have one hell of a shout of promotion this year. Maybe years 2 and 3 could see a runaway money bags.
TS struck a chord with me when he stated in another post on another thread that 3 examples / templates of how to get out of this league can be seen with the Stockport Wrexham and Chesterfield approach. They put the foot on the throats of opponents at Home and ran out comfortable winners by several goals week in week out.
I am totally with Big Jim (100% behind him) and I think he is doing a great job for us, it would be a shame for him and the team to bogged down with complications that are unnecessary. Play to our strengths facing forwards and let the opposition worry about our guns that blaze not get checkmated because we forgot our king was left exposed.