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Reply | Oldham Match Thread
at 10:07 16 Mar 2025
What the management team and the players have proven over the last six games that they have a way of playing that can be effective, entertaining and one which gets results. It might not suit all our personal tastes always, but with the addition of one type of player we have seen exactly what they’ve been trying to achieve for the last couple of seasons.
Nothing has changed fundamentally within that and there was little doubt that the manager would have been in big trouble if that run of results had continued. The Altrincham cup game was massive.
Now of course there will be mistakes made on and off the pitch (yesterday’s squad construction when utilising loan players being one), now though this team has evolved to a stage where supporters can see possible success in the future. Even yesterday I’ve seen some understandable criticism of us going more “defensive” in the second half. I don’t even think that was the case, it’s that Oldham got further up the field (Mellon notes they needed to in his Jurassic era interview) and we then didn’t keep the ball well enough once we defended that. It led to much needed substitutions, especially Allarakhia who was not coping with Caprice and too much of a reshuffle because who was on the bench. We’d have still taken three points but for a fortuitous goal.
My main worry is how we cope if Bird is injured in the short term and how he’s replaced if we can’t keep him in the longer term. There’s now proof we need a mobile target man to play effectively using McNulty’s tactics. |
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Reply | Oldham Match Thread
at 15:21 15 Mar 2025
The sub made sense in as far as Allarakhia was having real problems dealing with Caprice and Kingdon can play on the right, but it would have been much easier if Buyabu was available as in the past rather than a total reshuffle.
It’s one of Ayinde or Adu Poku on the bench from now on if all the loanees are fit. That’s the problem with having one too many. |
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Reply | Oldham Match Thread
at 14:34 15 Mar 2025
The big talking point from today could be the Bird injury. He seemed fine running but then hobbled when he stopped.
First half we played with a calmness, second they dragged us down to their level with hooking the ball on rather than getting it down and keeping it. Gilmour’s display was chalk and cheese either side of half time. We’ve also got to make the most of when we break.
One thing McNulty did get wrong was not having Buyabu on the bench ahead of either of the loan wide players. He could have come on for Allarakhia who was struggling with Caprice. |
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Reply | FA Trophy semi
at 20:26 12 Mar 2025
Yeah, was thinking of the Darlo playoff. |
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Reply | Time to go Jim. The turning point
at 20:25 12 Mar 2025
Most teams at this level could outfootball them, you’re right though, need to try and stop them getting the ball into our defensive third. Best way is to keep the ball as much as possible, which we didn’t do in the home game. Conlon returning does improve them, and I do wish we’d made an addition in the middle of the park because that’s one area they’ll have an advantage of it becomes a battle. Rossiter got amongst East and Gilmour last time, though with both looking to drive on more now that could negate any advantage they have.
Barlow will be key. |
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Reply | FA Trophy semi
at 18:24 12 Mar 2025
As they’re getting an allocation of 1400 tickets, would that mean we’re keeping some of the Willbutts available for home fans if required? |
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Reply | Time to go Jim. The turning point
at 17:55 12 Mar 2025
If we do lose in a terrible game then of course there will be annoyance and criticism, it’s that the last few weeks have further shown that while McNulty might not be to everyone’s taste all of the time, he’s able to be viewed as doing well some of the time by most.
We played poorly in three home games. We did quite well in two away games during the same period and only picked up draws. That is a snapshot of any club at any moment.
McNulty has proven now he’s able to get consistent enough results over a longer period with his methods to ensure we have a chance of promotion. Expecting anything more would be too much, in my opinion.
If he hadn’t turned it round he would have shown that he couldn’t and he’d have been in trouble. A couple of bad results now should be both expected and moved on from.
Why? Because he hasn’t changed his approach, to expect him to now would be pointless - the facts are it’s working. Even last night we were taking risks with balls into defenders and midfielders, but we are now getting results and confidence is high.
When it’s not working, over a long period of time, with no visible signs of improvement, then his role will be under pressure. Like any manager. [Post edited 12 Mar 17:57]
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Reply | Time to go Jim. The turning point
at 08:16 12 Mar 2025
Totally deserved criticism and McNulty would have been in big trouble if we’d gone out of the Trophy and then lost to Gateshead. However, amongst those poor displays at home there’s been some great wins this season and after years of shocking results at Spotland, we now have a team with fourth best home record in the division. |
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Reply | Time to go Jim. The turning point
at 07:55 12 Mar 2025
The manager has not and will not (I don’t think) change his philosophy. The discussions all season long have been about how effective that philosophy can be. There have been examples from pre season and throughout the whole campaign that it can be very effective. Even last night we saw the ball being knocked about at the back and in semi-dangerous situations, with Hogan standing on the ball waiting for an option. It’s that we then went forward and scored three.
The facts are he’s overseen a successful season so far in terms of results and unfortunately if we now lose a couple there will be criticism, some of it deserved. It’s all about extremes based on the facts and it’s whether those facts matter as much as emotion at times. That’s football I suppose. |
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Reply | Nrw signing
at 23:41 11 Mar 2025
Yeah a midfielder would have been preferable. We now have six loanees again I think, which means one has to miss out from the squad each game.
Waller, Kingdon, Buyabu, Bird, Ayinde, Adu-Poku.
Realistically, that would mean the latter two rotating. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Altrincham
at 22:40 11 Mar 2025
They might, but as was noted on the night they had a squad with little quality who appeared to only be set up to grind out wins. Their fans appear to agree with this and find them increasingly difficult to watch when their limited football doesn’t get three points. The difference is McNulty has assembled a squad who, despite the issues, can all play football.
Do I think this will ensure us finishing higher than them? Nope. But when we get it right, we are a far better side than Oldham can ever hope to be with their current set up. It was all a case of getting results to illustrate that. |
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Reply | Time to go Jim. The turning point
at 22:31 11 Mar 2025
Indeed. There’s nothing wrong with being wrong and admitting it. And it’s not as though the points made against McNulty were, it’s that he was deemed unredeemable when he’d already illustrated that he could send a team out which played entertaining and effective football. It was simply when we weren’t and didn’t look to change his quickly enough. Lessons learnt all round.
Plus I still think we’re too entrenched in the one formation! [Post edited 11 Mar 22:44]
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Altrincham
at 22:26 11 Mar 2025
Not sure it will after this recent run. We’d want a good display of course, but if it’s the usual borefest at Boundary Park where we get a point that would be a decent result.
Not the at we shouldn’t aim for more of course with the way we’re playing and especially with how well the squad has been utilised over the last four games. Great display again tonight, we are playing in a controlled yet effective manner, something that was seen previously yet was mysteriously after the Yeovil game. Proof indeed how much confidence plays such an important part, as well as a talismanic signing like Bird.
Defensively we have been so good for most of the season, add a threat in the last third and we can beat anyone. Results business, McNulty’s ability to step up when this was all important has increased his stock. His players deserve all the credit though. |
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Reply | Online shop.
at 19:09 10 Mar 2025
This was raised at one of the focus group meetings in October. They were looking at the website/online shop etc.
It’s disappointing nothing much has changed. |
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Reply | In the interest of fairness.
at 20:51 8 Mar 2025
Spoke to someone after the game who also was very impressed with the carvery meal.
That and witnessing again Ryan East’s role as a right-hand side quarterback appear to have been some of the day’s highlights! |
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Reply | Wealdstone (H)
at 17:25 8 Mar 2025
Both out for a while: https://rochdaleafc.co.uk/injuryupdate040324/
Excellent win, could have scored more and we’ll be annoyed at the manner of their goal. Still, although Wealdstone were limited it was a good performance with the front three all contributing. Henderson’s ability to leave his position at will created all sort of issues and he’s got a big part to play in the remaining weeks.
Hogan’s MotM was well deserved, he’s been getting better game by game recently and with Beckwith back at his best and Kingdon stepping into Gordon’s shoes immaculately, we continue to look good at the back. A midfield recruit wouldn’t go amiss mind. |
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Reply | Tobi's Interiew
at 14:20 8 Mar 2025
We really do. And that team he’s picked is certainly positive.
If it’s a negative result though will it then be another onslaught of “he’s got to go”? Don’t get me wrong, the limitations and arguments against the manager have some substance. But when they only appear after a defeat they lose some weight.
When Barrow was quite obviously not the man, an Andy Morris hat-trick didn’t change opinion. As mentioned, the world has changed. |
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Reply | Tobi's Interiew
at 14:00 8 Mar 2025
I agree, always been about the consistency however we were in decent form towards the end of January, had a poor spell and now a good week.
There are bigger discussions of course, but it’s been an up and down mood amongst fans with the results over the last couple of months. A couple of weeks ago we witnessed a lot of talk over whether McNulty could continue, we win two and get to the semis of the Trophy and that seems to have taken a backseat.
The world has changed, results are now all important when it comes to determining mood. |
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Reply | Tobi's Interiew
at 12:51 8 Mar 2025
Advocates of the devil may say we were moving in a positive direction in the league after the Yeovil game in terms of performance, result and fan mood. Unfortunately this was derailed somewhat by the farcical postponement of the Boston game three days later. |
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Reply | Match Thread Gateshead
at 22:16 4 Mar 2025
Good win against a team who are up there and play a lot like ourselves. With so many changes, credit to all involved for getting a result. That includes Mitchell who should have put away that chance but he kept on going. For his confidence, that would have been massive.
Singing about someone on the bench relentlessly won’t do him much good either.
Thought Kingdon had an excellent full debut, if Gordon is out for a while he looks an able replacement. |
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