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Thread | Special Atmoshere
at 12:28 19 Mar 2017
What a great match and atmoshere yesterday.
I guess Gillingham played a part by providing an open attack minded opposition that allowed Dale to get at them the whole match.
As ML strutted (at a tempo not seen often enough) his stuff and just went for it- his opener was brilliant, to set off the players message to Joe T that it was for him. We all joined in of course and added another sincere round of applause on the 15th minute.
The Sandy was expectant but apprehensive as they hit back scoring a goal that had an element of luck about it but it raised their pace and Dale had to fight hard.
Players raised their game with special mention for Joe Bunney making a welcome return after ages on the sidelines, Matty Lund who might have been expected to be taking it a little easy before his N Irish matches this week but put in a great shift, Calvin made himself a right niusance as usual, Mcgahey is enjoying scampering up and down the wing like a proper winger which he probably admits he is not,Hendo, well is just hendo with class written all over his goal, Camps was rewarded for tireless running and breaking up any threats, how good to see a cameo from peter Vincenti with a coolly taken goal at the end.
The Sandy just wallowed in relief at that performance which was so long in coming.
A special day all round. |
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Thread | A couple of positives
at 11:21 29 Jan 2017
Having trawed through many negatives on yesterday it's important to look into one or to positives.
I was really impressed with Jamie Allens contibution yesterday, it was his best game since returning from injury following which he couldn't get into a winning side. He is deffo getting his speed and controlled aggression back. Considering the lack of familiarity with his teamates the performances of Kitchen and later Redshaw showed positive signs for the future in the face of a serious loss of very very influencial players.
Peter Vincenty has taken almost as much stick as Conrad Logan for missing the target with a header. This is unwarranted as he cannot yet be fully match fit following a long lay off yet he covered acres of ground, was the only target man following Calvins departure and also showed his ability to link play down the left in contrast to the other flank where we continue to look vulnerable.
Up to half time we outplayed and outfought Hudd, but some credit to them they never cracked and stuck to their plan which payed off in the end.
I only hope dale fans stick by the club till we get through this difficult period. |
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Thread | Sarffend on Saturday
at 17:10 29 Oct 2015
Should be a cracking match on Saturday. Pity its so far away and not the easiest of journeys.
Phil Brown is doing a good job down there and winning a lot of friends for his being willing to go down to Div 11 and tough it out having had some high level experience in the recent past with a promotion his reward last season.
I had the experience of meeting him by chance when delivering a course at Champneys near East Midlands Airport. I was setting things up when he came in thinking it was the room he had hired for his team talk. His Southend side were overnighting ahead of a match at Burton the next day. He apologised and hearing my distinctive East lancs accent asked who I supported. I said Rochdale. He then gave me 5 mins of how good a club they were and how much he admired Hilly. All in all he was genuine - something he is proving this season. |
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Thread | Defensive fortress
at 16:34 2 Nov 2014
In all the plaudits for this team at this time we have to pay credit to the performance of the back four against Preston.
Be under no illusion they were a quality side which would have cracked most defense formations.
Our ability to repel long periods of pressure, willingness to get first to the ball and constantly frustrate yesterday was a performance of some merit which gave heart to the team. I lost count of the times Eastham and O Connel won their battles with bravery and determination ably supported by Bennet and Tanser. In the latter stages PNE had the look of a side that was never going to score. Magnificent performances aplenty but without that foundation it might have been different. |
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Thread | Fit as Butchers dogs!
at 11:31 6 Jan 2014
Can anyone remember as dale side finishing as strongly as we did on Sat?
Considering we had just finished the Christmas programme and compared to how Leeds finished it, says a lot about the backroom training programmes. |
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Thread | Fine prospect
at 15:01 5 Jan 2014
I know we all have to look hard to select a man of the match against Leeds. The truth is it would take something away from every team member to pick one out.
Instead consider the contribution of one of our most inexperienced players who merited the award for sticking to the task allotted to him, never giving in when outnumbered, making his presence felt for every throw in on the left and in refusing to be overawed or over cocky at any time. With only a fraction of playing time under his belt, congratulations to Joe Bunny, he certainly won novice man of the match. What a prospect in a year or two. |
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Thread | Help for Hilly?
at 20:29 26 Dec 2013
What fine entertainment for the festive season. Death by Football resurfaced today after a long time without.
Total team football, commitment and passion with few complaints ---- so what do we get? Advice to the manager and the team when 3 - 0 up having restricted the opposition to one shot at goal.
The shouts of advice could be contained in a one page, stamp sized coaching manual.
"Get it up here", "just run with it" more specific, "stop messing about with it", "we want six".
All the quality came from Dale and it came in bucket fulls, , have we forgotten we were playing like Mansfield a year ago but the memory must be dulled by Christmas spirit.
The only help the players and staff needed today was ear plugs.
Up the dale. |
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Thread | Fine opener
at 08:33 3 Aug 2013
It's great to have a purpose on Saturdays again and what a good opener in the presence of Hartlepool.
In many ways a club like ours, managing to keep afloat when richer neighbours are failing to pay their way.
We have had many fine tussles over many years and to see this game celebrated by the league tops off what will be a great start to the season. |
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Thread | Youth team success
at 09:35 16 Apr 2013
At the end of another season and with a cup appearance to enjoy, once more he dale youth team have done very well in the youth league.
Season on Season they are punching above their weight and finishing in the top four.
Congratulations to the backroom staff and all associated with this success - even more so this past 4 months when Beechy and Ellis are so busy with the first team squad - a brilliant result.
With some bright prospects coming through for the future,the fans and club should be proud of this achievement. |
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Thread | Don't give up on us yet!
at 20:57 2 Mar 2013
I was a guest at Morecambe today and had a great view first half sat in the main stand close to the goal Dale were attacking.
Our general play and approach work was far more effective than Morecambe's and many of the local fans were vocally expressing the view it was only a matter of time before Dale hit the net.
Their first goal was one of those corners that landed well into the path of a Morecambe player, it was against the run of play and had good fortune written large on it.
Gornell, for some reason a target of some criticism, worked his socks off, laying off and holding up constantly, he was a real threat which in fairness to Morecambe they dealt with by isolating him in the second half.
Henderson took on players at will but with no end product - give him a few games and that will sort itself. They also nullified his threat in the 2nd half.
Bobby Grant looked rusty, offering no threat and seemed unable to connect with the front players today, rather trying to do it alone. Hilly will sort that.
A number of new players were involved today Jones and Rose had their work cut out to fit in and our play to the front was slower than normal as a result - as above a few matches will sort this.
Second half we were stung by an Ellison volley of Champions League quality. I am unsure about the ability of Lillis when it comes to long shots, he does seem to let in more than his fair share but does make up for it in his close work where he has been magnificent.
Joe came on and was very effective down the line before we were hit by a very well worked goal which no one would have stopped - but where was our right back?
All in all we had a look of a pre season side getting to know one another, with excellent passages of play and some unconvincing spells. It is work in progress folks and we will have a few more uncomfortable matches to endure.
But if Hilly can find one or two more players to play his way and who can manage to play his way we will be alright.
One thing for sure, not many sides will be as lucky as Morecambe were to score two goals like that and had we been slightly better organised the third goal would have been defended better.
As for up front today, their back four really were as good a unit as I have seen this season and Gornell and Henderson apart the goal threat was absent.
Another day another side we would have had rewards for the first half performance and kicked on from there.
Don't give up guy's, the signs are not all bad. |
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Thread | Threesome winsome
at 16:08 22 Jan 2013
Our prayers are answered with not only the architect of the best football seen consistently at Spotland ever, but to link up with loyal and successful backroom staff is a real bonus. They can hit the ground running and will be well able to give Keith the lowdown on every dimension past and present.
I did fear that another managerial change at this time could end as last season with relegation once more - but we have a fighting chance of releasing potential and staying safe which has to be the first objective.
I hope we can all get behind the new team and give them 100% support.
Best wishes guy's. |
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Thread | Mr Dunphy and Mr Coleman please take note.
at 09:40 2 May 2012
It's worth highlighting the fact that inspite of some serious managerial disturbances Dales youth team has had another very successful season. Whilst not quite emulating last years magnificent performance, credit is due to Beechy, Tony Ellis and company for producing and maintaining a side that was very difficult to beat and was always likely to score. I only wish more players could find their way into the ranks of the first team squad, we only appear to allow a maximum of two per season - which cannot be right if there are more players worthy of the step up, especially in a time when wholesale squad changes are in the offing. Other seasons there may be none good enough, but this apparent imposed limit, if it exists, cannot be good for the future outcomes.
It will be interesting to see whether there are going to be changes in this successful youth managment set up, we should be proud of their collective achievements and do everything in the clubs power to build on them. Mr Coleman and Mr Dunphy please take note.
Whilst on my soap box, who else would like to see more publicity, reports, comments about the youth team? We really should do more in this respect.
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Thread | The opportunity to find a solution.
at 10:23 16 Apr 2012
Monday morning offers an opportunity for all those concerned with our club to reassess the recent events and come up with the right solution. When you are bottom of the league, facing almost certain relegation it is beholding on the management team to handle the inevitable emotion and tension that comes with a situation like this.
No management team can work its wishes into a side that doesn't want to follow them nor can a side perform it's best if the MT is not able to bring about a "we are all in this together"feeling.
The solutions are simple really, Either all parties get together under a constructive question like "what do we need to do to finish this season on a note of optimism, passion and belief" then as an MT listen to the views and give respectable consideration to them before putting what the MT believe are the solutions that are suggested and put forward in a persuasive and intellegent manner.
If a progressive atmosphere is created with mutual respect then we once more have a club to support.
If this approach does not work or is rejected, then the MT and chairman must close ranks and work with players who do believe in the plans.
Maybe we saw evidence of the latter last Saturday with wholesale changes and a performance of effort but naturally many signs of unfamiliarity as it was a almost a new side.
In the supecharged emotional atmosphere it takes good leadership to guide the way forward, we as fans look to the board and MT to do this, then, equally as important, it takes players to look further than their own ego to think of the future, the fans and their passion for the game; to listen and take a view.
I sincerely hope we can see a meeting of minds under the same willingness to reproduce the team work, passion and skill that was evident against Bury when on that day we would have beaten anyone.
Up the Dale. |
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Thread | Exciting Prospect
at 16:41 19 Feb 2012
I thought we saw the signs of a really good prospect in Kevin Amankwah yesterday.
He is settling in very nicely with Kev Long and handled himself very well in general against a small but very mobile Bounemouth attack. He has good pace and is winning most balls in the air, he even danced down the touchline a few times in support of the attack.
Yes he did get turned once or twice, but with experience he will learn.
At last we look a lot more secure in the middle now than anytime this season. |
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Thread | Unsung hero's
at 17:04 29 Jan 2012
Performances to savour were in abundance yesterday. But take a second to mention two unsung hero's.
Stephen Darby, has had to fight hard to leep his place in a struggling defence. he really worked hard yesterday showing pace and controlled agression to contain the right wing threat of Bury. He even won some headers that he had no right to win, very pleased for him yesterday.
Another come gooder was BBM. Now he is never going to be spotlands hard man, but he won plenty of tough challenges yesterday, wanted the ball in the middle as much as Jonah and JK and passed very well all afternoon.
Just two players who played exceptionally well yesterday great to see and so happy for them.
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Thread | Don't forget Super Tony Ellis
at 12:45 25 Jan 2012
In all the excitement we should not forget the work done with the youth team by Tony Ellis, not only standing in for chris Beech but getting out some impressive results.
It will have been good experience for him, one of a few unsung hero's in the backroom at Dale who will all be hoping for a change in fortunes. |
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Thread | The right man in the circumstances
at 17:27 23 Jan 2012
Be under no illusions, there is such a lot to do on and off the park, but I can think of no one better than JC, (has a certain ring to it don't you think) to make something positive of the rest of the season.
Applause to the spirit of our Accy neighbours, lets hope they get someone brilliant and can kick on from here.
Also back the wishes for Beechy and his team to remain with the club if they so desire. It has been a terribly hard legacy to deal with. Good luck to them.
Now Dale fans quit the speculation and emulate the die hard Accy fans who won my respect whenever we played them cheering them on through thick and thin. |
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Thread | Not too late to build
at 12:14 16 Jan 2012
I fear this season is going to be a write off. We can all see why and we can all criticise the manager's and players and Chairman, tea lady kit man but what to do next is important..
The opportuntiy was given to Chris Beech and I think he deserved it. Why? He knew the way Hillco worked, he knew the Chairman and he presided over the first Dale youth team to win the league (as far as I know anyway). In fact I thought he should have been given a crack last July.
Nevertheless, the situation under SE steadily got worse as one signing after another failed to deliver. Under Beechy, we have a residue of players that are not gelling together, resulting in frustration (tell me Widdowsons sending off was not the action of a rational player) and too many formation changes. He has to try to find a better and more effective formation. The Hartlepool match and Saturdays changes show he is trying to do this.
had he been in charge early in the season these experiences could have been gained at a lower cost than now.
Am I the only one to say that until the first goal went in Stevenage were totally ordinary. The first goal was the result of a slip which was very costly.
The wing play did not work and Widdowson was not supported enough by Thompson resulting in increasing frustration.
The changes at half time were the right decision.
The sending off was uneccessary and irresponsible and cost any chance of a fightback.
Chris Beech is learning to his and the sides cost what managing at this level is all about. He will learn I have no doubt but he has not the time to guarantee safety from relegation now. Nor has he the luxury of an O Grady to bang in individual goals to win lots of points.
Will another change at this stage do any better? Possibly,if we strike lucky, but I doubt it. The cost could simply be too high -in view of the compensation for SE, the fact we have no high value player to sell at this moment and the income this year has dropped considerably. We must avoid financial implosion or we join Darlington quickly.
What is possible however is to look to building for next season. The energy and effort to learn, to experience and create a new side could begin, ready for next season. The strategy is the reverse of this year when the building began days before the season began and effectively has not stopped since. We are still paying the price for this unfortunately.
Now it is time to stop destroying, stay calm and use the resources well and intelligently and build again. If we can stay up all the better. We can do our bit by seeing the good not all the bad and supporting all those who are dedicated to bringing success.
UP THE DALE.
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