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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Truro City
at 20:39 26 Jan 2026
By and large, centre-backs at National league level don't have the capacity to see the right opportunity and even if they do, play the ball with the right pace and direction
EEL is probably better at doing so than most at this level, but to expect Hogan to do the same is asking too much. I don't mean you're asking him, but neither should the management be asking him. He's a defender, and a bit more "old school" than EEL |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Truro City
at 18:08 26 Jan 2026
McNulty brought in Done and Taylor, presumably to assist him with those areas of the pitch he wasn't involved with directly as a player
They'll have input into signings, or they should have, and tactics such as the high press and earlier subs which have made such a difference this season
Credit to McNulty for recognising he needed to strengthen the coaching side. Let's see if it makes the difference when it really matters. Crunch time, and tomorrow will be a good indicator of our approach as the pressure increases [Post edited 26 Jan 18:10]
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Truro City
at 11:09 26 Jan 2026
So JM has brought Duku in, and as you say, he's "backup"
For all the numbers and stats, which forward worth acquiring who isn't already good enough to be making an impression elsewhere, and isn't past it, too inexperienced, able to stay fit or able to slot into a promotion challenge and willing to sit on the bench has JM and his advisers not already looked at?
There's no lack of effort, i would imagine, but there may well be further thought put into squad-building in the close season to increase our forward capacity when decent additions are genuinely available |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Truro City
at 18:49 25 Jan 2026
Debatable...
There've been those who've been so one-sided they could genuinely be called a half of a half-back
Then there was Steve Doyle, who was the full eighth |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Truro City
at 15:17 25 Jan 2026
At this point, i don't care how we get over the winning line, as long as we do
Returning to the EFL is essential to our longer term plans. This could represent our best opportunity
I frankly don't care about McNulty's career either. If he gets the job done, it'll be a huge credit to him. The key word is IF
Big game on Tuesday. Playing for three points (again) to take us back to the top of the league, with two games in hand. Different scenario to 09/10, where we led from the Bradford away fixture then folded. I still don't fancy our chances in the playoffs, so let's make sure that isn't what we have to do [Post edited 25 Jan 15:18]
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Truro City
at 15:57 24 Jan 2026
As things stand, clear daylight between Dale/York and the rest
Could look different at full time, but a fight to the finish between us and York may be upon us, as was always likely |
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Reply | Rochdale v Carlisle
at 11:24 23 Jan 2026
Just think of all that time and money wasted supporting bury fc, which no longer exists
An immeasurable amount of waste |
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Reply | Solihull Wednesday
at 10:01 23 Jan 2026
We've missed Beckwith's contributions in the final third, including his ability in scoring from distance
Making the point about first-time crosses and taking more punts doesn't require us to significantly change our style... to be fair... it just allows us to be even more effective, by doing it at the right time whilst recycling the ball when necessary. Not sure why anyone would disagree with that [Post edited 23 Jan 10:04]
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Reply | Solihull Wednesday
at 08:19 23 Jan 2026
The very point i made, and needs to happen more. First-time crosses before the defence is settled can't be anything other than the best opportunity to score (a Dale player being in the box, obviously) |
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Reply | Rochdale v Carlisle
at 08:15 23 Jan 2026
Doesn't the Willbutts hold about 3500? I see no reason why every last seat can't be sold, that was the point of putting them in there
The logistics of dealing with capacity crowds needs revisiting, including if GMP have input
For instance, at some Premier League grounds (as far as i can make out) away fans are separated from home fans merely by a low wall, or even a single line of stewards. There's clear daylight between stands at COA
As for the Carlisle decision, the club taking a stand (pun intended) on restrictions to Dale support away indicates our new prowess in not taking nonsense from anyone, and i support it [Post edited 23 Jan 11:20]
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Reply | Solihull Wednesday
at 12:48 22 Jan 2026
That may well be something Done and Taylor have brought to the table. Credit to McNulty for bringing them in - it'd be a surprise tbh if they didn't bring something like that!
Also, the subs have been far better timed, due to the reason you state around our starting forwards tiring due to the extra effort required |
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Reply | Solihull Wednesday
at 10:29 22 Jan 2026
You're not being unfair
I've been saying all along that the last remaining doubt about JM's management is the big home game approach. You've highlighted the examples, and the Halifax defeat can be added as one of our derby games with additional fans turning up in expectation... that's something JM has played down but now it's imperative to change that tune
He and his assistants have got so much right; our standing in the table, poised to resume leadership with our games in hand. Well, here they come
Everyone is willing him and this team on. He's got the pitch, he's got the full backing of the club owners, the players have responded to him and know what they have to do. No-one's expecting us to win every game, but the approach is crucial. Don't kill the crowd. Give returning fans something to get behind from the kickoff, show us you believe you're the best team in the league and deserve to be labelled Champions
I posted the other day, in response to a jittery OP about Solihull's recent form, that it's the opposition who should be shitting themselves. Looks like Solihull did just that. Let's give that message to everyone who turns up at the newly-carpeted COA [Post edited 22 Jan 10:34]
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Reply | Solihull Wednesday
at 23:13 21 Jan 2026
The other significant thing about that goal was his instant, effortless control of the cross-field ball, quite rare at this level |
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Reply | Solihull Wednesday
at 22:22 21 Jan 2026
He's capable of playing the percentages, so if the wind doesn't get it, there's a player running towards the far post; if the wind gets it, it could go in. The old adage of just take a punt, especially at that stage
I was preparing to write that a draw was a decent result, and it would've been, sending us up to second place
Now just a point behind York with 3 games in hand, but the confidence these last 2 wins will have given the squad, with newcomers blending into the system is immense |
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Reply | Solihull Wednesday
at 21:13 21 Jan 2026
You'll be able to sing Happy Birthday to him on Saturday |
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Reply | Rochdale v Carlisle
at 20:38 21 Jan 2026
Further to this, I believe CAB are indeed seeking clarification
That's what it's there for, and being effective is highly creditable |
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