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More than capable of finishing top of the pile. With us having those two games in hand it gives York very little room for slip ups. Our biggest enemy is ourselves i think, we can't afford to self harm and give York a leg up which we've done in the past. Ruthless streak now needed and it has to come from the manager and the coaches. We can't predict injuries and rest players, they're part and parcel of the game and we don't have a big backlog of fixtures. Imagine Neil Warnock or Steve Evans, seriel promtion winners, resting players because data suggests they might get injured š. That's the ruthless streak i'm talking about.
More than capable of finishing top of the pile. With us having those two games in hand it gives York very little room for slip ups. Our biggest enemy is ourselves i think, we can't afford to self harm and give York a leg up which we've done in the past. Ruthless streak now needed and it has to come from the manager and the coaches. We can't predict injuries and rest players, they're part and parcel of the game and we don't have a big backlog of fixtures. Imagine Neil Warnock or Steve Evans, seriel promtion winners, resting players because data suggests they might get injured š. That's the ruthless streak i'm talking about.
[Post edited 13 Feb 3:09]
Looking at that there are a few tricky games for both teams. Both go to Halifax,both go to Scunthorpe, we go to Southend, York go to Borehamwood - Scunthorpe for us at home next Tuesday as a game in hand is massive.
Its a BRILLIANT goal to cap a BRILLIANT start by Rochdale - Don Goodman 26/08/10
Yep. If there was 2 or 3 automatic spots it wouldn't be so bad but it really is stomach churning stuff. There's no room for slip ups now. We can only hope the players continue what they've been doing all season and maintain a relentless and ruthless attitude.
More than capable of finishing top of the pile. With us having those two games in hand it gives York very little room for slip ups. Our biggest enemy is ourselves i think, we can't afford to self harm and give York a leg up which we've done in the past. Ruthless streak now needed and it has to come from the manager and the coaches. We can't predict injuries and rest players, they're part and parcel of the game and we don't have a big backlog of fixtures. Imagine Neil Warnock or Steve Evans, seriel promtion winners, resting players because data suggests they might get injured š. That's the ruthless streak i'm talking about.
[Post edited 13 Feb 3:09]
Agree itās up to us. I think the last 4 homes shows that we have that ruthless streak this season. York would have been looking at the fixtures at the start of Jan and would have circled those four games as a period when they would close the gap.
NOT A CHANCE.
I think itās going to come to who blinks first. The scoreboard pressure is on York, you can see that from the reaction to getting the points on Tuesday.
If York drop points first and we pull away then the pressure just continues to ramp up. On the other hand we if drop a point we need to not panic. We have a small buffer.
Continue as we have all season, get between 2 and 2.5 pts per game from our next 17 games and we will be there or there abouts 106 to 111 points. York would need to win almost every game to match that.
The Scunthorpe games, Southend, Halifax away are the obvious banana skins. Also aldershot away could prove tricky given the Coleman link and their current form.
Overall though they way we have performed this season we should be able to match York with that run in.
Finally I donāt want to go into that finally game against York needing anything other than a tin of silver polish to prepare for the trophy presentation.
More than capable of finishing top of the pile. With us having those two games in hand it gives York very little room for slip ups. Our biggest enemy is ourselves i think, we can't afford to self harm and give York a leg up which we've done in the past. Ruthless streak now needed and it has to come from the manager and the coaches. We can't predict injuries and rest players, they're part and parcel of the game and we don't have a big backlog of fixtures. Imagine Neil Warnock or Steve Evans, seriel promtion winners, resting players because data suggests they might get injured š. That's the ruthless streak i'm talking about.
[Post edited 13 Feb 3:09]
Sir, you make so much sense. If Jim rests EEL tomorrow we need to start talking Brackley again.
if you look me up at Yeovil tomorrow I will stand you a pint.
Yep. If there was 2 or 3 automatic spots it wouldn't be so bad but it really is stomach churning stuff. There's no room for slip ups now. We can only hope the players continue what they've been doing all season and maintain a relentless and ruthless attitude.
To be honest i think we are in a fantastic position and although winning the league would be great i am very confident we would win the Play Offs anyway, i've had a feeling this is going to be our year from the start. If York win the league we've been pipped by the better team and it cant be denied they are good. We are good also, we have players who are focused and driven, very talented and well coached. Finishing in the top three gives us a decent chance of promotion and nobody will want to play us in the play offs. I wouldn't get too fixated as a fan on just winning the league ( the manager and players will be though) , if it's meant to be it will happen. Do i think we can win it? Too right we can and if i was a betting man i'd put money on our players to deliver, they're brilliant. By the way, all the bookmakers have us as favourites to win the league now and it's rare they get it wrong. A bet on York could soften the blow of us coming second and pay for next years season card if you're that way inclined.
Agree itās up to us. I think the last 4 homes shows that we have that ruthless streak this season. York would have been looking at the fixtures at the start of Jan and would have circled those four games as a period when they would close the gap.
NOT A CHANCE.
I think itās going to come to who blinks first. The scoreboard pressure is on York, you can see that from the reaction to getting the points on Tuesday.
If York drop points first and we pull away then the pressure just continues to ramp up. On the other hand we if drop a point we need to not panic. We have a small buffer.
Continue as we have all season, get between 2 and 2.5 pts per game from our next 17 games and we will be there or there abouts 106 to 111 points. York would need to win almost every game to match that.
Steady as she goes
My sentiments exactly, we have a bit of wiggle room, York don't. Let's keep our foot on the gas.
Sir, you make so much sense. If Jim rests EEL tomorrow we need to start talking Brackley again.
if you look me up at Yeovil tomorrow I will stand you a pint.
I'm currently on a remote island in Cambodia, getting to Yeovil tomorrow is going to be problematic. I've been following every game on twitter though at some ungodly hour and it's been great. Thanks for the offer of the pint anyway, it's kind of you.
Whether rightly or wrongly, I suspect EEL will be rested for the game tomorrow. Given the travel down and the Tuesday fixture I reckon a few others could be left out the squad but it will be a difficult balance to ensure we can keep momentum and continuity.
Do think Wealdstone could get a result against York though- I was impressed with them.
Whether rightly or wrongly, I suspect EEL will be rested for the game tomorrow. Given the travel down and the Tuesday fixture I reckon a few others could be left out the squad but it will be a difficult balance to ensure we can keep momentum and continuity.
Do think Wealdstone could get a result against York though- I was impressed with them.
York boss Stuart Maynard used to manage Wealdstone too so there's some added history there.
Its a BRILLIANT goal to cap a BRILLIANT start by Rochdale - Don Goodman 26/08/10
Sir, you make so much sense. If Jim rests EEL tomorrow we need to start talking Brackley again.
if you look me up at Yeovil tomorrow I will stand you a pint.
Why would we? He rested him against Truro and we won convincingly and Hogan played well, being involved in both goals. Not sure why Brackley is even an issue anymore, everyone was in total agreement is was a massive error, nobody defends it and it looked to be done to make a point - and we didnāt win any!
Ever since then when we have made changes to the starting XI (although something we didnāt do so much in the first couple of months of the season - there was a thread on here with evidence of that), it has enabled us to maintain a run of form that is once in a lifetime for any Dale fan witnessing it.
Will I agree with every choice made? Nope and would say so. Have I any real argument when it comes to even pretending to know whatās best for our squad? Not really. So whatever changes are or arenāt made in the coming weeks, Iāll try and understand even when I donāt like them. Because that trust has been earnt.
Itās abundantly obvious that there is a meticulous level of planning going into selection, subs and tactics. What they base all those decisions on, doubt any of us can be totally sure. However, we can be certain that every choice is made to win a game. Any doubting of that within the club immediately gives York an advantage.
There are 24 reasons by the middle of February that indicate itās working.
Why would we? He rested him against Truro and we won convincingly and Hogan played well, being involved in both goals. Not sure why Brackley is even an issue anymore, everyone was in total agreement is was a massive error, nobody defends it and it looked to be done to make a point - and we didnāt win any!
Ever since then when we have made changes to the starting XI (although something we didnāt do so much in the first couple of months of the season - there was a thread on here with evidence of that), it has enabled us to maintain a run of form that is once in a lifetime for any Dale fan witnessing it.
Will I agree with every choice made? Nope and would say so. Have I any real argument when it comes to even pretending to know whatās best for our squad? Not really. So whatever changes are or arenāt made in the coming weeks, Iāll try and understand even when I donāt like them. Because that trust has been earnt.
Itās abundantly obvious that there is a meticulous level of planning going into selection, subs and tactics. What they base all those decisions on, doubt any of us can be totally sure. However, we can be certain that every choice is made to win a game. Any doubting of that within the club immediately gives York an advantage.
There are 24 reasons by the middle of February that indicate itās working.
[Post edited 13 Feb 17:46]
The decision at Brackley wasn't made by the manager to make a point, what makes you think that? That was never suggested at the time and if that was the case then it makes the decision even worse and was disrespectful to the Ogden family. We'd just put in a fantastic performance and beat Gateshead 4-0, there was no need to make any point. The majority of those players are still at the club from the Brackley game. The game is still a issue because over the context of the season those three points dropped could prove crucial and the decision to completely change the team was ridiculous at the time and it still is now. It's used as a example as to what can happen when you start making too many changes to a winning team and it's relevent to this season, if people want to refer to it then there's nothing wrong with that, even though some might not like it. He's done far more right than wrong but to not mention the Brackley game in relation to this season would be pandering to those people who find offence in any sort of criticism aimed at the manager and there are some.
The decision at Brackley wasn't made by the manager to make a point, what makes you think that? That was never suggested at the time and if that was the case then it makes the decision even worse and was disrespectful to the Ogden family. We'd just put in a fantastic performance and beat Gateshead 4-0, there was no need to make any point. The majority of those players are still at the club from the Brackley game. The game is still a issue because over the context of the season those three points dropped could prove crucial and the decision to completely change the team was ridiculous at the time and it still is now. It's used as a example as to what can happen when you start making too many changes to a winning team and it's relevent to this season, if people want to refer to it then there's nothing wrong with that, even though some might not like it. He's done far more right than wrong but to not mention the Brackley game in relation to this season would be pandering to those people who find offence in any sort of criticism aimed at the manager and there are some.
[Post edited 13 Feb 18:51]
I said it ālooked to be done to make a pointā not that it was. Itās wrong to assume what may or may not be behind decision making. Why I thought it might have been the case was because of the managerās interviews at the time which discussed the risks associated to playing twice in three days - something backed up by EELās bad injury last season.
Edit in reply to an edit: The manager was rightly criticised then by everyone - certainly on here. As noted previously, nobody defends it. If people want to talk about it, thatās fine. I just donāt think thereās much gained by it, why add negativity about a match from almost six months ago to a time when everything is so positive? Respect the right of others who wish to. Hopefully the same respect is shown to when that is questioned as to its relevance. /edit end.
People can refer to it, but it cannot be said to be the three points that do or donāt matter with any degree of certainty. We could have played a full team that day and lost. We could have played a full team and won and Dieseruvwe could have been injured. The actuality is we made a bad mistake, lost and have gone on to have a season that outstrips the expectations of anyone.
I donāt think anyone would ever support changing all XI players, nobody did the. But if we change some then itās been proven to work. As seen with EEL being rested recently. Those decisions will rightly be debated by fans, but we can guarantee those at Spotland are making them for the right reasons. To win games. And we do.
The rest of my previous post is only trying to get across that trust over doubt will be more beneficial to our chances. Of course, some may disagree. But bringing doubt into the stadium is not something the players and management do.
Mainly because that doubt immediately hands York an advantage.
I said it ālooked to be done to make a pointā not that it was. Itās wrong to assume what may or may not be behind decision making. Why I thought it might have been the case was because of the managerās interviews at the time which discussed the risks associated to playing twice in three days - something backed up by EELās bad injury last season.
Edit in reply to an edit: The manager was rightly criticised then by everyone - certainly on here. As noted previously, nobody defends it. If people want to talk about it, thatās fine. I just donāt think thereās much gained by it, why add negativity about a match from almost six months ago to a time when everything is so positive? Respect the right of others who wish to. Hopefully the same respect is shown to when that is questioned as to its relevance. /edit end.
People can refer to it, but it cannot be said to be the three points that do or donāt matter with any degree of certainty. We could have played a full team that day and lost. We could have played a full team and won and Dieseruvwe could have been injured. The actuality is we made a bad mistake, lost and have gone on to have a season that outstrips the expectations of anyone.
I donāt think anyone would ever support changing all XI players, nobody did the. But if we change some then itās been proven to work. As seen with EEL being rested recently. Those decisions will rightly be debated by fans, but we can guarantee those at Spotland are making them for the right reasons. To win games. And we do.
The rest of my previous post is only trying to get across that trust over doubt will be more beneficial to our chances. Of course, some may disagree. But bringing doubt into the stadium is not something the players and management do.
Mainly because that doubt immediately hands York an advantage.
[Post edited 13 Feb 18:59]
Not sure what you mean about bringing doubt into the stadium, fans have always discussed team selections before and after every game. What happened at Brackley handed York a advantage. There's nothing wrong with disagreeing with the manager from time to time. I think you're completely barking up the wrong tree with your ' looked to be making a point' theory but if that's what you think then that's up to you. Andy Thackery once made a ridiculous decision up at Carlisle and its still talked about now. McNulty's decision at Brackley will also be talked about in decades to come, alongside us winning promotion back to the EFL hopefully. As i said, he's done a lot more right than wrong.
I don't know how anybody can look at the Brackley game, and McNulty's comments before and after it, and not arrive at the conclusion he was trying to make a point. There is no other logical explanation.
Not sure what you mean about bringing doubt into the stadium, fans have always discussed team selections before and after every game. What happened at Brackley handed York a advantage. There's nothing wrong with disagreeing with the manager from time to time. I think you're completely barking up the wrong tree with your ' looked to be making a point' theory but if that's what you think then that's up to you. Andy Thackery once made a ridiculous decision up at Carlisle and its still talked about now. McNulty's decision at Brackley will also be talked about in decades to come, alongside us winning promotion back to the EFL hopefully. As i said, he's done a lot more right than wrong.
[Post edited 13 Feb 19:08]
And Iām not sure thereās anyone who agrees with the manager on that choice at Brackley. Unless Iāve missed it.
Fact is none of us know for certain what might be behind any choices and itās right we all debate them. The bringing doubt into the stadium, as noted, is not something the players and management do and that those at the club obviously know far more than we do. They have earnt the right to make changes as they see fit. Even when we disagree. Itās up to fans if they want to be understanding of that and accept the odd mistake.
Will refer back to my own concerns about playing Moss at LWB against Carlisle as it restricts our play a bit down that side. He scored the winner and has since set up another v Forest Green. Do I still believe it means we rely a bit too much on attacking down the other flank? Yes. But the manager is getting results with the changes he sees fit. So as much as Iāll debate them, itās with the certainty that my opinion isnāt based on as many factors as those who make decisions each week.
If EEL doesnāt play on Saturday (bet he does), or anyone else for that matter, there will be a very good reason. As there was v Truro and in every home game since when weāve seen changes.
I don't know how anybody can look at the Brackley game, and McNulty's comments before and after it, and not arrive at the conclusion he was trying to make a point. There is no other logical explanation.
What was the point? Was it worth him changing a complete team and risking losing three points to make that point? I think just like 442 you're doing the manager a disservice by suggesting that. He had been well backed over the summer by the Ogden family.
My theory is that he got a bit to cocky and over thought the game, wanted to give everybody in the squad a early chance to stake a claim in the team and instead of doing it gradually he underestimated the opposition, had a brain fart and fielded a completely different eleven than the one that had just won 4-0. I don't think there was anything more to it than that. I hope that's the case anyway, we all make mistakes.
And Iām not sure thereās anyone who agrees with the manager on that choice at Brackley. Unless Iāve missed it.
Fact is none of us know for certain what might be behind any choices and itās right we all debate them. The bringing doubt into the stadium, as noted, is not something the players and management do and that those at the club obviously know far more than we do. They have earnt the right to make changes as they see fit. Even when we disagree. Itās up to fans if they want to be understanding of that and accept the odd mistake.
Will refer back to my own concerns about playing Moss at LWB against Carlisle as it restricts our play a bit down that side. He scored the winner and has since set up another v Forest Green. Do I still believe it means we rely a bit too much on attacking down the other flank? Yes. But the manager is getting results with the changes he sees fit. So as much as Iāll debate them, itās with the certainty that my opinion isnāt based on as many factors as those who make decisions each week.
If EEL doesnāt play on Saturday (bet he does), or anyone else for that matter, there will be a very good reason. As there was v Truro and in every home game since when weāve seen changes.
We have a great squad and changes do have to be made to the starting eleven for various reasons. I'm expecting probably four changes tomorrow and wouldn't be surprised to see Hogan start. Apart from that Brackley game the manager has been pretty much faultless with his selections and substitutions. I mention that particular game because it serves to remind everybody that we aren't good enough to make wholesale changes, rest influential players and just rock up at places expecting to win. I watched some of the National Cup games and Trophy games, teams filled with squad players and they weren't at the same level as our perceived strongest teams that we field in league matches. McNultys biggest achievement this season is how he's managed his big squad of players, i thought it could prove his downfall but its been the opposite.
What was the point? Was it worth him changing a complete team and risking losing three points to make that point? I think just like 442 you're doing the manager a disservice by suggesting that. He had been well backed over the summer by the Ogden family.
My theory is that he got a bit to cocky and over thought the game, wanted to give everybody in the squad a early chance to stake a claim in the team and instead of doing it gradually he underestimated the opposition, had a brain fart and fielded a completely different eleven than the one that had just won 4-0. I don't think there was anything more to it than that. I hope that's the case anyway, we all make mistakes.
[Post edited 13 Feb 19:50]
Listen back to his interviews, he was ranting about a congested fixture list and that it was unfair on his players. Pretty sure he used the word 'barbaric' to describe it. Was it worth it? Absolutely not, it was one of the most ridiculous decisions I've ever seen.
Listen back to his interviews, he was ranting about a congested fixture list and that it was unfair on his players. Pretty sure he used the word 'barbaric' to describe it. Was it worth it? Absolutely not, it was one of the most ridiculous decisions I've ever seen.
It really was. Recall a discussion at the time where even if weād changed 7/8 it would at least have allowed to us to retain some core players, though that too was probably more than would be recommended.
Whether we changed the team to protect players from playing twice in three days (which is my thoughts based on what said at the time, not a certainty but an opinion) or because we wanted everyone to have a chance, I donāt think it has any relevance to changes in the future, or any since for that matter.
We wonāt change all XI again. For one thing, does anyone really think weād choose to leave Whatmuff out?
Listen back to his interviews, he was ranting about a congested fixture list and that it was unfair on his players. Pretty sure he used the word 'barbaric' to describe it. Was it worth it? Absolutely not, it was one of the most ridiculous decisions I've ever seen.
Making a point to the National League then and the fixture schedule? I bet that taught them a lesson š.Pity the other 23 clubs didn't all come out in sympathy with Jim. As you say, a ridiculous decision. We play 46 games, theres always going to be congestion, some clubs have small squads or are part time. Just get on with it.
It really was. Recall a discussion at the time where even if weād changed 7/8 it would at least have allowed to us to retain some core players, though that too was probably more than would be recommended.
Whether we changed the team to protect players from playing twice in three days (which is my thoughts based on what said at the time, not a certainty but an opinion) or because we wanted everyone to have a chance, I donāt think it has any relevance to changes in the future, or any since for that matter.
We wonāt change all XI again. For one thing, does anyone really think weād choose to leave Whatmuff out?
The manager mentioned in a post-match interview that Whatmuff was going to play at Brackley, but reported ill on the morning of the game. If some choose not to believe that, that's on them.
It was clearly implied by McNulty, and documented in print, that he wasn't happy at having to play three games between Wednesday evening and Monday afternoon (Gateshead, Brackley and Sutton). His team selection was trying to make a point to the National League.
He also referenced last season when Dale played at York (Tuesday) and at home to Forest Green (Saturday) before having to make the long trip to Yeovil on Bank Holiday Monday, when EEL picked-up an injury early in the game.
Was that injury a result of three matches in such a short time? Only the manager and his staff know, but no doubt that formed part of his thinking this time around, especially with the Gateshead game being 24 hours later than the York game a year earlier.
In 2023/24, Dale played at York on August Bank Holiday Monday, but had moved their previous game (Bromley at home) to the Friday night in order to give more time before the Monday. There wasn't a midweek game before the Bromley match on that occasion.
I know that Dale asked the National League to move the Gateshead game back 24 hours, but they were told it wasn't possible because of the DAZN agreement.
And before anyone says it, I also know there were 23 other clubs affected by this schedule, but we should only be concerned for ourselves.
I thought it was poor of the National League to schedule that midweek of the Gateshead match how they did. They should have put a full midweek programme after the opening day (w/c 11th Aug) and moved the National League Cup games to the following midweek (w/c 18th Aug) before Bank Holiday weekend, as clubs wouldn't be fielding full strength teams in those matches.
Or, at least allowed all 24 teams to play on the same night (Tuesday), with two games in three days to follow.
Regardless of all this, the team we put out at Brackley should still have been good enough to avoid defeat, but if you mess with the Footballing Gods, you're on thin ice. However, there is no guarantee the team that beat Gateshead so convincingly would have a won at Brackley. If football was so linear, we'd all be millionaires (Rodney).
Do I agree with what McNulty did? No, not one bit, but if he's being accused of disrespect to Brackley by thinking we 'could just rock up expecting to win', then isn't it also disrespectful to Brackley assuming the Dale team which beat Gateshead would themselves 'just rock up' and win?
I am also guessing that he realises it backfired on him and he won't do anything like that ever again. His intentions were honourable, but perhaps the process was way too radical.
Despite that defeat, we have since picked up 64 points out of 75 available, which nobody would have expected. And in the bigger picture, the loss at York is arguably the most important of the season to date, given they are our nearest challengers.
[Post edited 13 Feb 21:14]
I'm not a maestro, far from it, but I just engage my brain before posting.
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