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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Accrington Stanley
at 23:07 24 Oct 2026
Keeping them all happy is borderline impossible so some leaving has to happen when the time
Is right.
Separately, the amount of squabbling, arms in the air and general poor body language and blame culture today and at other points throughout the season is hard to stomach. It’s a culture we didn’t really see under Jim. Or rarely anyway. Watson needs to get a grip of that fast. |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Accrington Stanley
at 22:37 24 Oct 2026
Watching Accy was what I thought we’d ordered from South Shields.
He’s had circa 16 competitive games in change now if you include the America cup. In addition to that 6/7 friendlies.
I still sit here now wondering when we will control a game for 90 minutes and look polished.
Injuries have played a part, no denying that. But whatever the 11 I’m not sure we have a full turn key plan for a game. He’s learning on the job which is acceptable but it’s not what was promised. Far from it.
And he has probably been backed more than any other manager in this football clubs history. |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Accrington Stanley
at 22:25 24 Oct 2026
I agree. It’s why it’s difficult to defend Watson because he has made some silly decisions on one hand and then a distinct lack of the decisions on the other.
He admitted he was wrong on Moss not playing and same again the other night with Hendo.
What he see’s in Sherring who is clearly not an MRKT signing along with a few of the others is beyond me.
Everyone played poorly today. Including the staff.
I just don’t like the vibe from dugout. Something doesn’t seem right for me. Josh Lillis is the most vocal and active (and rightly so at the minute) but the body language and lack of activity and animation from the rest of them is odd.
Beckwith has to start on Saturday. We need people in their natural positions. Not a RB playing left back and a centre half playing RB. Tasker has done well in rece recent weeks but we have landed back at the must get a clean sheet stage. So we must play our strongest team available and today wasn’t it.
Francis, Sherring, Waller, Wilson, Adeeko all don’t get in our 11 last season. Telling sign on where we are. It’s a squad of 30 with 10 who shouldn’t be here. |
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Reply | Fan services email
at 17:32 21 Oct 2026
The wire with the small LEDs on it from within one of the glow sticks was thrown on the pitch as a Grimsby player was lining up to take a corner.
You can’t take the bottle top off a bottle off a bottle of water but then hand out items like that to teenagers. I mean they are made from foam and weigh the same as a bottle top no doubt so Dale 4 Life is a little bit OTT but makes a point.
I certainly don’t see death by guillotine off one of those. More just annoying and felt a bit like I was at a Disney on Ice show at the AO Arena.
But, trial and error on the fan experience. On the main the kids loved them… who they were intended for of course. |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Grimsby Town
at 23:01 20 Oct 2026
Yeh your second point is valid. No one team has really played us off the park and looked silky. Grimsby were good tonight but I felt most threatened by crosses and corners than being carved open in open play. You could argue it was self inflicted pain as both goals came down the left hand side and after a series of silly decisions, chances to clear and hesitation.
It’s certainly there to go at in this league but our injuries are the primary burden.
Until the new year I am points over performance. With a view of a few tweaks in Jan. The only real target this season is staying in this league and everyone top down bottom up growing on the back of the experience.
I am sure Watson has seen enough now to know where the extra attention is needed. Collecting points will allow him to work on that without any distractions. |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Grimsby Town
at 22:32 20 Oct 2026
After promotion I said to my Dad that this season I just wanted to turn up, no pressure going into a game and just go out and enjoy ourselves while never in danger and not really threatening the top. Last season was pretty stressful being scared go drop points, turned out beautiful but I aged 5 years.
That game tonight was a far cry from the national league. It’s was fast, frantic and evidently better quality than the league below. Every team that’s been to here have been energetic and ‘up for it’. Shrewsbury was a flattering scoreline - but they weren’t abysmal nor were we great.
It’s nice to be back. Tonight was fun. I think a draw flattered us after a poor second half but we take it, we learn from it and we move on.
It’s clear the central midfield is the area in question. Not fully convinced on Adeeko, Gilmour has now found some sharpness and looking far more assured but you can tell he has hit his ceiling and it’s likely we won’t get much more out of him, Francis for me just isn’t what we need and yet to actually see him control a game. Petit has more presence and seems to be more involved but again, big step up and never really got a chance last season so a big ask for him when he finally returns.
The immediate craving for me is to see us control a game for 90 minutes. We are seeing glimpses of what the plan is, but we drift in and out of it.
4 points from tonight and the approaching Accy game would be lovely. Let’s see if we can roll back the years and do a job on them like we used to.
As other have said. Tasker was brilliant and my MOM. Ian’s in game management still leaves me a little bit bemused. Generally does what my brain is thinking but after a goal rather than to prevent a goal. Sub no.2 being the example. [Post edited 20 Oct 22:38]
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Swindon Town
at 20:09 3 Oct 2026
Got the job done. Wasn’t great and a very stop start game. Swindon chipping away at us and came for a smash and grab. At 60 minutes it was looking like they would do exactly that. And then the Brown miss made me think it was our turn to suffer after lauding it up against Fondop/Oldham.
But… they dug deep. Kept going and the substitutions were the obvious thing to do and it paid off. Cian Hayes is a menace. Not everything he does comes off but he has the heart of a lion and I love watching him.
Credit to all the young lads too. Wilson, Tasker and Ramming all solid enough. Sherring’s distribution was ropey at times but his positional play was miles better.
Flint is flint and we need to offer him a deal now before somebody like Salford come steaming in to weaken us.
Still lots to improve on but results allow you the time to do that. I enjoyed Watsons post match interview too. He witnessed the same game as us so that’s refreshing.
The players are playing with some passion, the fans are turning up, the away end actually has some fans in it week in week out and it just feels good to be back and respected for being Rochdale and hopefully a tough place to come.
One game at a time but just keep putting some points on the board and enjoy the ride.
Pitch is class too. Credit to the contractors, groundsman and the club for the investment. It’s took a hammering with Rugby our games and the ladies and it’s flawless. |
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Reply | Conference 26/27
at 07:26 28 Sep 2026
I can’t help but think we would’ve ended up down there for atleast two or three more seasons. Jim would’ve gone regardless, and I am sure we would’ve retained a few more
Players than we let go. But with a new manager, and probably still Ian Watson, it would’ve been a very tall order to recover from the heartbreak and then rebuild.
We are blessed to be here where we are today and the recent upturn in results helps you reflect with a bit more of a stable mind. Crazy times, probably once’s in a generation stuff. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Walsall v Rochdale
at 19:10 12 Sep 2026
I agree. But these prem clubs put clauses in the loans I’m sure.
A backline of Moss, Flint, Maguire and Beckwith and Waller sat behind them in goal and my fingernails would be relieved.
The young loanee lads have been thrown to the Lions because of the situation. BUT, he told us he doesn’t do squad depth signings so we have every reason to be expecting them to perform.
Both our strikers need a goal urgently. I think if Brown grabs one he will get stronger. Mani, I just don’t think he is what we need right now, he isn’t intelligent enough for this level.
They worked hard today but it wasn’t pretty. But 3 points against Oldham and it’s a solid week. I just can’t see it. They seem to know how to do us every time. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Walsall v Rochdale
at 16:43 12 Sep 2026
I actually think Henderson offers more. Criminally underused. He occupies defenders whereby Mani just strolls around with them. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Walsall v Rochdale
at 16:33 12 Sep 2026
This is just a case of when not if. It’s actually atrocious to watch. I appreciate those looking for positives but i hear ‘help the boys as much as I can’ and how exactly does he do that? Particularly during a game? We can’t seem to have any momentum in a game or calm. As somebody else said it’s just frantic from front to back. Our clearances are always the wrong option, the duels are bouncing straight back to them. It’s just weak. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Walsall v Rochdale
at 15:42 12 Sep 2026
It’s been the same every game. It’s like we dont all go together in the press or attack and then a likely turnover in possession which i have seen more of in 5 games than all of last season and they are away in acres. Theres a disconnect in the ‘lines’. |
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Reply | Unacceptable
at 12:25 7 Sep 2026
I would imagine Cameron and Simon are having a sit down today. There is two people I would have on that Teams call / office meeting…and with lots of people saying they don’t have the football experience, irrespective of whether we think Ebanks Landell is at this level, he’s been around football and Rochdale long enough an experienced enough to know whether this ‘project’ is going to be a success. He must be consulted. And of course, Sir Ian Henderson. I would suggest his opinion is the one that counts the most. Clearly, he planned to retire and the wedding dates have that away. Somebody convinced him to stay on probably for the obvious reason of stability, continuity and true ambassador for the club and its culture. I would take that man’s opinion as gospel.
Like any organisation, it’s imperative they get the views of the people on the shop floor. The culture, the positives and the negatives all need to be considered in the feedback. That is true leadership by going bottom up and coming to a conclusion.
Body language on Saturday was harrowing. Carl Magnay appeared to face the dugout and kick something, after the fourth goal went in. I think it was his posh new dugout char. And then Ian Watson seemed to pull his cap further and further down his forehead. For long long periods he was stood on his own, and then at critical points of the game he opted to sit in his chair in the dugout. It reminded me of Jim’s first season where he didn’t have anybody to consult with or sound off. Taylor and Done provided that and it’s been well documented what we all thing they added to our season. Surely he needs something similar if he stays?
The substitutions are the tipping point for me. They change changes and in 5 matches, apart from a like for like swap which is hard to disagree with. I am yet to be convinced he is proactive as opposed to reactive.
But as pointed out above. The opinions of those two chaps is vital. It could get us to a decision far more efficiently. [Post edited 7 Sep 12:28]
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Reply | Unacceptable
at 08:54 6 Sep 2026
I think irrespective of the injuries, which is obviously a major factor he has signed these players. I don’t buy the fact they are young and inexperienced. If that’s the case, what use are they? People are far too protective of ‘young players’. These lads are either going to make it or not. And let’s have it right… typically by the age of 20 the best ones are already playing at the top level.
You instantly know whether they will ever make the grade.
Just compare Ramming with Robert Sanchez. From the same club, similar path etc. Sanchez was brilliant for us. He had an error in him but that was because he actually did what a keeper should do. Come audaciously for crosses etc. Ramming is not good enough and you can see it immediately.
Wilson the same. He’s playing like it’s academy football. No bite, no urgency, casual. No doubt he will upload clips on his social media to portray all is good and how impressive he looks in our strip.
It’s not the time for allowing people to learn. We needed stability and strength mentally and physically. We’ve got too many loans players, and the the signings made across the back are poor too.
He’s got the balance of the squad completely wrong and the money needed to be spent wisely and unfortunately it looks been blown.
Interestly. Maguire and Sherring are surely not a product of MRKT. So he’s also been allowed to veer off from this. A question for the fans forum maybe.
All is not lost. But comparing us to York which is only fair given our journey.
Keeper aside, they did not have a single loan player in the squad yesterday. We’ve rocked the ship.
I am not picking out those two players because I can do it to many more. But comparing them with Perry and Whatmuff as a recent example. Absolutely worlds apart. |
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Reply | Watson.....
at 22:39 5 Sep 2026
The managerial merry go round is about to commence. Soon be slim picking and early season failures. Scary prospect. |
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Reply | Unacceptable
at 18:46 5 Sep 2026
Go to your own message board. |
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Reply | Unacceptable
at 18:32 5 Sep 2026
Everything the board have done up to this point you have to commend. And 4000 gates is reward for that.
They are experienced enough in business. Maybe not football. But I am certain Cameron and his support network at looking at this with far less emotion and purely business. They will have a cut off date in mind and it won’t be just yet. But, I have every faith they will make the call if they need to. It’s either that or the expensive training ground is getting out on hold while we navigate the national league again.
They have invested heavily. The academy is a perfect example. They cannot afford to risk losing all that again.
My worry is they genuinely didn’t have a plan for finding themselves in this position. They claimed they had a plan for McNulty going but they absolutely have not planned for this.
They wanted continuity and a level of consistency with Watson and he has absolutely don’t the polar opposite. He is lost on the sidelines and the only other suggestion I could see at the moment is somebody appointed to stand alongside him and Carl.
When he said he was an admirer of Russell Martin alarm bells rang in my head. And he’s from the Mike Williamson camp. Both well knowing for being absolute charlatan’s of the game. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Gillingham
at 17:55 5 Sep 2026
I was on the fence but you’ve summed it up. He doesn’t know what to do or seem to show willing.
Watching Ainsworth today just absolutely outclass him tactically just shown there’s levels to management just as there is players and leagues. Not that many of us needed telling that but maybe the board did?
Absolutely clear he’s obviously a good coach. But management is about bravery and he has none. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Gillingham
at 17:33 5 Sep 2026
Everyone could see Mani was being outfoxed by Beckles. So why just let it continue to happen? Swap him out play brown or Hendo there and give the defender something else to think about?
Ainsworth took his left back off at half time who was on a yellow.
And the substitutions in general are actually just unbelievable. He shown a lack of fight today, and for that alone he deserves to go. They are his players, his tactics.
Whoever comes in still has a ridiculously hard job on their hands. We have really messed up here after so much joy the heart has been ripped out in as little as 5 games and a preseason.
The board gambled and the crooks of it is, I can see how they have been sucked in he says the right things and likeable chap. But, dropping back down is an absolute disaster and it’s likely to happen if we continue to back him. |
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