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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Brackley Town
at 16:48 3 Jan 2026
Carlisle said they had the odd firm area but obviously sorted it.
They and Forest Green are winning - two for expensive new signing Rees on his debut - which means we are down to fifth. [Post edited 3 Jan 16:48]
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Reply | The Fitzture List - Rochdale Rising: Inside McNulty’s push for sustainable suc
at 16:18 3 Jan 2026
Although Amantchi hasn’t worked out how we’d hoped, we had him and Henderson as back up for our main striker.
If Amantchi had performed like he did v Solihull Moors in the rest of his limited appearances, we probably wouldn’t be having that conversation. Unfortunately he didn’t.
Short of signing someone different to him who had worked out better, there’s not much more we could have done. Well, apart from not offer Henderson a deal. But would like to think that’s worked out ok with his contributions recently. Now we have to replace Amantchi.
The wider forwards have all been good at various stages. While there’s a valid argument Mancini wasn’t needed, the rest - Barlow, McBride, Rodney and Burger have all made valid contributions. Like you, the jury is out on Smith for me. But would accept others who say he is an option off the bench - as he’s shown with his goals so far.
If anything, where we’ve over-recruited is midfield and wing back/wide defenders with Humbles, Hosannah and Tutonda not required so far. |
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Reply | The Fitzture List - Rochdale Rising: Inside McNulty’s push for sustainable suc
at 12:02 3 Jan 2026
The two chosen was with regards to resting players for the league and with the intention of focusing on the three. Whilst Mancini obviously has fitness issues, his performance on Tuesday illustrated he is a strong player who can contribute in that area. Smith is a poacher who might benefit playing alongside someone else.
Will it work? Who knows. Just worth a try in this game so others can then step in once a different system is established.
Or we could stick to the same formation as usual. |
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Reply | The Fitzture List - Rochdale Rising: Inside McNulty’s push for sustainable suc
at 10:41 3 Jan 2026
Reflecting on the last few games and points made by plenty of people now, is next week’s game in the Trophy a good chance to try a few things? The blog mentions about ‘imminent changes’for some regulars’ in midfield being unavoidable, next week could lay the groundwork to support that.
I’d go for a change in formation and see how both Pettit and Burger fit in a midfield three. Then when it’s back to the league there’s another option which Gilmour and East can fit into.
————— Broome ————
—- Moss, Hogan, Tutonda —-
Hosannah ——————— Galvin
—- Humbles, Pettit, Burger —-
——— Mancini, Smith ———
Also gives Smith a chance in a front two alongside Mancini who impressed in his brief cameo the other night.
It’s a chance to see players in a slightly different set up, one which can adapt mid-game too. |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 10:20 3 Jan 2026
Yeah, he was much better off the bench at Morecambe. Sorry my post was reflecting on the games from the start with how the front three combined. And in Rodney’s defence, he too may have been impacted by not having a central striker to link with, much as McBride was.
This isn’t having a go at Smith btw, he has attributes in other ways.
Though, being fair, Burger offered more than Pritchard after the break on Boxing Day too and was a major part in our win. Think the main thing we can now recognise is that whoever is used either side of the centre forward, it’s that it has to be either Dieseruvwe or Henderson in that position for us to be effective from the start of games.
Until, hopefully, someone else comes in. |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Brackley Town
at 09:37 3 Jan 2026
Forgot about Allarakhia, good point. It’ll be like getting in new signings to have regulars return.
Accrington groundsman has posted a video of the pitch. No one can think there was any chance of playing a game based on that.
Those at Accrington will have been disappointed it’s off too, they’ll have made a lot of money in that bar today. |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 09:24 3 Jan 2026
Again, it’s strange that we keep showing videos of how we set up in training. It gave away the front three at Altrincham.
Anyway, the good thing about today being off is that Dieseruvwe will hopefully be back by the next league game and we’ve time to get someone else in. |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 22:46 2 Jan 2026
Yeah, it’s a shame we don’t have the Henderson of ten years ago but with his current ability as a centre forward. Remarkable how he’s mastered the role and yet seems to continually look to improve.
Love how much he looks to be enjoying himself. Irrespective of results for a minute, the last year has been his spell at the club for me. Enjoy watching him as much as when Brett Pitman used to play against us. |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 22:05 2 Jan 2026
Yeah, Rodney was poor the other night. When it was Pritchard-Henderson-McBride at Altrincham and Morecambe we looked much more dangerous going forward.
That first half the other night was as poor as we’ve been, with the players unable to mix it up effectively as you said. Although we didn’t pass it about at any more than usual (backed up by the numbers on this site’s Twitter account *), similar to many other wins, we just didn’t retain it when we went longer. It didn’t help that people were poor all over the pitch as well, Pritchard’s performance was quite a shock for example. As soon as we changed the personnel and then formation we were well on top.
Mistakes will be made I suppose, it’s about learning from them. Listening to McNulty and the players, they realise that. Especially as they all know how well we’ve done when sticking to what’s got us to where we are and that includes hard work. We need Mani back and at least one other to come in.
Either way, the criticism hurled at Broome you mention certainly won’t help anyone. Yes, his colleagues could have helped, but it only added to the nervousness as he tried to remain calm.
*thanks to whoever is upping the output on Twitter. Some good stuff available on there. [Post edited 2 Jan 22:26]
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 21:19 2 Jan 2026
Although we don’t play a front two, it is definitely the choice of centre forward that has led to McBride (and others) being more effective.
Agreed that McBride looked pretty anonymous with Smith as no.9. That Rodney also went off with little said shows that our forward three can be impacted across the pitch if it isn’t either Dieseruvwe or Henderson centrally.
That both other forward players scored at Altrincham when Henderson started is all the proof that’s needed of that.
Whether we should try a proper two up front is another option. The last 15 mins back that up now. [Post edited 2 Jan 21:23]
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 00:13 1 Jan 2026
Some of the moves haven’t worked, some have. Like when Hill brought in Jon Shaw one year and COG the next.
IF McNulty had a blind spot, he wouldn’t have taken the actions listed in my last post. But he did, so the evidence points to anyone thinking he has being wrong.
One thing not mentioned so far, I don’t think, is if Amantchi had been as impressive in all his appearances as he had when he started against Solihull Moors, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. He didn’t, possibly not all his own fault as maybe he needs regular game time, so we are where we are.
For this Jon Shaw, it’s possible the next addition with be a Chris O’Grady.
Or a Paul Tait. |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 22:15 31 Dec 2025
McNulty has quite clearly year on year identified what needs improving at centre forward and looked to improve on it.
Firstly we developed a way of playing that made the most of Mitchell’s attributes in the penalty area. Then when it was obvious that didn’t offer us options in games we brought in Bird. Then we made sure the way Henderson has remarkably got better as a specialist no.9 helped in the run in last season. Then we brought in Dieseruvwe who provides us with the best option within our current structure to enable the team to play in different ways (something seen immediately as soon as Bird arrived, a spell unfortunately impacted by his injuries).
The loan signing of Amantchi was to support everything that has been built, but it hasn’t worked. That’s football sometimes.
So no, of course McNulty hasn’t got any issues in recognising what we need up front. My one criticism, backed up by that last 15 mins or so last night, has been how little we change the formation mid-game (or even giving it a go from the start). Despite it being a common mistake made by some who talk about who we have as a forward partnership, it’s not a front two. But we have missed a trick not trying one more often.
A midfield three of East, Gilmour and Petit with Mani + Rodney ahead of them? Would love to see that sometime. Yes, it would mean a lot of talented players missing out, but there’s a dominant look to those five together. |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 13:50 31 Dec 2025
If it goes as forecast, then it is looking pretty doubtful. Accrington can’t do any more, they’ve been great but maybe it will be only one game that’s played there. Unless it’s rearranged for a midweek before the 24th.
Switch it to Spotland… |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 13:27 31 Dec 2025
A York fan on Twitter commented that Pearce may have picked up a knock last night, he was subbed straight after his winner. Could be something and nothing of course but other sides will have to get over obstacles at some stage. We can only do our best and hope that what happens elsewhere works in our favour.
Back to Dale, as well as the obvious need for an addition up top, I do think it’s time we shuffled the pack where we’ve yet to make real changes - midfield.
It was refreshing to see a different structure there late on last night and the presence of Pettit who looks to push forwards with the ball made a difference. East and Gilmour have been fantastic so far. East’s response to the one time he was left out at Tamworth showed his ability to respond to a challenge and he offers a lot with the way he links play on the right and being able to get into the box. However, we need to change it up a bit and give Pettit a run. If not, why is he here? We can’t have someone of that quality being a perennial late sub.
East and even Gilmour should appreciate that there will be some rotation. Now’s the time.
Or play all three and switch to a front two… |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 23:10 30 Dec 2025
McNulty’s interview was pretty much spot on about the first half. Admits they were disappointed with how we started the game.
Mentions all the crosses too, a definite air of frustration but also acknowledging these games will come along across a season. I just hope they’re as infrequent as they have been and other sides have one or two more than us. |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 22:54 30 Dec 2025
That last 20 was an enjoyable watch because if nothing else it proved that we can shift away from our usual structure mid game. The mistake was it came at least 10 mins too late.
We don’t know enough about how many games/minutes Henderson can play to ensure he’s at his most effective, but he should have been no later than the hour mark. Pettit too. |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 21:59 30 Dec 2025
Only consolation was the impact of the subs and a realisation that by changing up the formation it can give the opposition more to think about. Mancini and Henderson made a real difference in a two and the latter showed that apart from Mani, he’s the only one we have to play that central striker role.
Additions are indeed required. |
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