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Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale24th Feb 2026 14:18 Dale’s midweek trip to The Shay to face FC Halifax Town will be refereed by DECLAN BROWN.0
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Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 23:30 - Feb 24 with 1939 views
Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 23:23 - Feb 24 by TVOS1907
"Jim is a great coach and would be a great DOF, but as a manager I don’t rate him. He recruits well and up until game time is excellent, but picking a side, substitutes and tactics, I would rather have him nowhere near!"
So how has his (and "his coaches") team reached 79 points and still have the best PPG in the division?
Whatever the merits and demerits of the subs, we were 2-0 up until the players on the pitch, who had taken us to that two-goal lead, failed to see out the last few minutes. That was their responsibility.
Talk about an over-reaction to the first game this season we have failed to see out when in a strong position. This is exactly the type of reaction 442 alludes to further up this thread.
[Post edited 24 Feb 23:30]
Please don’t let this be misconstrued by some who think “fans are allowed a different opinion”. I’m fully respectful of that. In fact, I’d be as critical as anyone about the substitutions before the hour mark today. But to see the predictability of the targeting of a manager (thought it was the whole management team who had us winning every week anyway?) who whilst not perfect, has produced one of the most consistent Dale teams in the club’s history is, and this is not said lightly, laughable.
Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 23:11 - Feb 24 by Thacks_Rabbits
The problem is and has been forever with Jim. We don’t draw, we win or lose, then Jim decides to try and manage and it goes wrong. Of course you can blame the players, we should have won easily tonight. York would have, but we can’t.
He pisses about making silly subs, resting players, wholesale changes when there is no need and now we are not ahead of York, on current form we will not be in with a chance even if we win last game vs them.
It’s sad and disappointing, yeah York have a huge budget and better players, but when we had to beat big teams we did it, then the mentality has gone. It’s like they have relaxed. York won’t!!!
Jim is a great coach and would be a great DOF, but as a manager I don’t rate him. He recruits well and up until game time is excellent, but picking a side, substitutes and tactics, I would rather have him nowhere near!
Some overreaction this. Couldn't even wait until a defeat to get in Jim's back.
We have to bounce back quickly again and just carry on doing our own thing.
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Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 23:35 - Feb 24 with 1885 views
Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 23:16 - Feb 24 by 442Dale
So you said all this when he was changing the side and making subs that did work? And you’d have said the same if we had seen the game out at 2-0 AFTER all the subs had been made?
Enlighten us, who would be the best manager when he’s director of football?
One who who would have succeeded in getting this squad to 79 points after 33 games this season. Presuming that isn’t enough.
As has been said for weeks, if fans want to destabilise this season, that’s on them.
I think he is a fantastic man manager and recruiter, that’s not a criticism, even KH said management is about man management and recruitment not coaching. Tactically and mentally I think he makes huge errors, he might learn, he might not.
As for a tactically aware manager, there are so many I would not even know where to start. You certainly don’t take both your main strikers off at 1 - 0 as it then asks for pressure. Is TAR injured? Why take off East? Mani is great on defensive set pieces as well. It’s all opinions but we had dropped 6 points in 4 games, York kill a game first half!
Every Team Needs A John Ryan - The Winger Who's a Ringer!!!!!
Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 23:35 - Feb 24 by Thacks_Rabbits
I think he is a fantastic man manager and recruiter, that’s not a criticism, even KH said management is about man management and recruitment not coaching. Tactically and mentally I think he makes huge errors, he might learn, he might not.
As for a tactically aware manager, there are so many I would not even know where to start. You certainly don’t take both your main strikers off at 1 - 0 as it then asks for pressure. Is TAR injured? Why take off East? Mani is great on defensive set pieces as well. It’s all opinions but we had dropped 6 points in 4 games, York kill a game first half!
So many?
Please start.
Oh and we were 2-0 up after all the substitutions. Those are the facts.
Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 23:35 - Feb 24 by Thacks_Rabbits
I think he is a fantastic man manager and recruiter, that’s not a criticism, even KH said management is about man management and recruitment not coaching. Tactically and mentally I think he makes huge errors, he might learn, he might not.
As for a tactically aware manager, there are so many I would not even know where to start. You certainly don’t take both your main strikers off at 1 - 0 as it then asks for pressure. Is TAR injured? Why take off East? Mani is great on defensive set pieces as well. It’s all opinions but we had dropped 6 points in 4 games, York kill a game first half!
"Tactically and mentally I think he makes huge errors. he might learn, he might not."
So how are we second in the league on 79 points after 33 games, only a point behind a team who haven't lost since 1st October?
We didn't play as well as we can and have done for 99% of this season, that can't be disputed, and we have drawn a game we should have won, which also can't be disputed, but to have got to what will soon be March in this position, with everything still to play for, really should be celebrated rather than turning on the manager (and by association, his coaches) who have got us to this position. Let's hope the players have a different mentality.
"You certainly don’t take both your main strikers off at 1 - 0 as it then asks for pressure."
We went 2-0 up after the subs and had been under some pressure before they were made.
"As for a tactically aware manager, there are so many I would not even know where to start."
Right...
Have they managed teams to the same sort of record and placing we're currently experiencing?
It's a ridiculous over-reaction because we haven't won a game.
[Post edited 24 Feb 23:53]
Maestro? No.
Elite? No.
Heavyweight poster? No.
Able to be rational and not over-react to individual results? Yes.
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Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 23:55 - Feb 24 with 1736 views
Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 23:36 - Feb 24 by 442Dale
So many?
Please start.
Oh and we were 2-0 up after all the substitutions. Those are the facts.
Yep, it’s only an opinion and yes of course I’m pissed off that we have averaged far fewer points the last few games. I’m not saying for a second Jim is incompetent, or has been shit, what I am saying is there has been a decline since we beat teams in the top 6 and there is always a reason.
I remember us being 3 - 0 up vs Lincoln with 3 minutes or so to go, we drew 3 - 3, I remember us being certain of the play offs under Sutton, it all went wrong last 8 games or so. Christ I remember us being certs for the league and we ended up 3rd.
I can tell you what the York manager is saying every week, “We go out and win, they will slip, I know they will, we are the best team, we are the best players, and in the end cream rises” I would love to know what gets said when we make subs or at half time!
Every Team Needs A John Ryan - The Winger Who's a Ringer!!!!!
Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 23:55 - Feb 24 by Thacks_Rabbits
Yep, it’s only an opinion and yes of course I’m pissed off that we have averaged far fewer points the last few games. I’m not saying for a second Jim is incompetent, or has been shit, what I am saying is there has been a decline since we beat teams in the top 6 and there is always a reason.
I remember us being 3 - 0 up vs Lincoln with 3 minutes or so to go, we drew 3 - 3, I remember us being certain of the play offs under Sutton, it all went wrong last 8 games or so. Christ I remember us being certs for the league and we ended up 3rd.
I can tell you what the York manager is saying every week, “We go out and win, they will slip, I know they will, we are the best team, we are the best players, and in the end cream rises” I would love to know what gets said when we make subs or at half time!
You said there were “ so many I would not even know where to start”, so it was requested that you do start and name some.
Maynard has been excellent at York, no doubt, but when he was dismissed after failing in the playoffs last season at Notts County, their statement said this: “ While football is a game of fine margins, and Stuart undoubtedly faced numerous challenges over the course of the campaign, neither results nor performances reached the levels we believe the team was capable of - particularly during the defining period towards the end.”
Oh, and it was 2-2 v Lincoln. We should have got rid of Parkin then and saved Barnsley the trouble in making an approach. Edit: he’d already gone! Probably best, rubbish tactician.
It was poor to concede two goals in the dying minutes, but in truth we were second best in the second half and the subs may have impacted on our performance in the second half. McNulty stated that fatigue had set in and yes Mani was quiet tonight and the injury to TAR was unfortunate, in that we had free range down the wing with TAR and Gordon But i have to agree bringing Hosannah on was a mistake, in that he looked poor tonight and he seemed to struggle on the ball.
In the first half, we played well, but slowly let them into the game and failed to convert our chances, but why did we sit back in the second half was baffling and taking both Mani and Rodney off at the same time was a mistake in my opinion. I cannot explain Henderson's miss, you have put good money on him scoring normally, but that miss sums our night.
It is now advantage York, in that I cannot see York losing or drawing any games between now and the end of the season at the moment, they are beating teams with ease, yes we can hope, but it would take a miracle.
Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 23:55 - Feb 24 by Thacks_Rabbits
Yep, it’s only an opinion and yes of course I’m pissed off that we have averaged far fewer points the last few games. I’m not saying for a second Jim is incompetent, or has been shit, what I am saying is there has been a decline since we beat teams in the top 6 and there is always a reason.
I remember us being 3 - 0 up vs Lincoln with 3 minutes or so to go, we drew 3 - 3, I remember us being certain of the play offs under Sutton, it all went wrong last 8 games or so. Christ I remember us being certs for the league and we ended up 3rd.
I can tell you what the York manager is saying every week, “We go out and win, they will slip, I know they will, we are the best team, we are the best players, and in the end cream rises” I would love to know what gets said when we make subs or at half time!
It was 2-0 against Lincoln and David Hamilton & Jamie Hoyland were the managers at the time, in a game played in November, with over half of the season still to play.
Although I'm not sure of the relevance to tonight.
Do you remember us coming back from 2-0 down in injury time at Chesterfield to draw 2-2?
Or what about coming from 3-0 down at home to Torquay with 11 minutes to play?
They're irrelevant tonight as well, but are worth mentioning in order to bring some perspective to things.
[Post edited 25 Feb 0:17]
Maestro? No.
Elite? No.
Heavyweight poster? No.
Able to be rational and not over-react to individual results? Yes.
0
Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 00:15 - Feb 25 with 1630 views
Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 00:05 - Feb 25 by NorthernDale
It was poor to concede two goals in the dying minutes, but in truth we were second best in the second half and the subs may have impacted on our performance in the second half. McNulty stated that fatigue had set in and yes Mani was quiet tonight and the injury to TAR was unfortunate, in that we had free range down the wing with TAR and Gordon But i have to agree bringing Hosannah on was a mistake, in that he looked poor tonight and he seemed to struggle on the ball.
In the first half, we played well, but slowly let them into the game and failed to convert our chances, but why did we sit back in the second half was baffling and taking both Mani and Rodney off at the same time was a mistake in my opinion. I cannot explain Henderson's miss, you have put good money on him scoring normally, but that miss sums our night.
It is now advantage York, in that I cannot see York losing or drawing any games between now and the end of the season at the moment, they are beating teams with ease, yes we can hope, but it would take a miracle.
[Post edited 25 Feb 0:07]
It wouldn't take a miracle. What an exaggeration.
Were York fans saying the same when we were top?
They're a brilliant team, yet they are only a single point ahead of us having played one game more and are in a remarkable run of form, but by the law of averages, they will slip somewhere.
Look at Arsenal, Coventry and Cardiff; they have largely been imperious for much of this season, but have recently had some sticky results. They will bounce back and Dale have shown throughout this season that we can do the same.
Maestro? No.
Elite? No.
Heavyweight poster? No.
Able to be rational and not over-react to individual results? Yes.
1
Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 00:16 - Feb 25 with 1623 views
Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 22:23 - Feb 24 by dawlishdale
Oh dear oh dear. we were comfortably the better team until half time when it looked like we had been instructed to drop a little deeper, which allowed them to push up and take the game to us. It also meant that the ball went straight back to them when we cleared it.
I said to my mates that it was either a very brave or very stupid thing to do to take off Rodney and Mani well before the hour. Replacing them with McBride (who hasn't been good enough this season I'm afraid) and a 40+ year old Hendo just compounded our problems Furthermore, why no Pritchard to replace Tobi? and why take East off (who had been the best player on the pitch for much of the game). After his introduction ; Hosannah misplaced so many passes I lost count.
It's a major setback to our ambitions. No getting away from it. When will Jim learn that when we are on top, we have to be ruthless and go for a second and third goal before we tinker.
Afraid that one is mainly down to Jim. Can we bounce back and go on another run of wins? Let's hope so.
Good post, I agree with everything you've typed, in response to your question "When will Jim learn" Well , he can't/won't learn, him mentality is to defend a lead regardless of previous/future negative consequences !
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Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 00:20 - Feb 25 with 1588 views
Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 00:16 - Feb 25 by bluevein64
Good post, I agree with everything you've typed, in response to your question "When will Jim learn" Well , he can't/won't learn, him mentality is to defend a lead regardless of previous/future negative consequences !
How did we try to "defend a lead" when we went 2-0 up with 5 minutes to play and when one of the players who came on as a sub scored the second goal?
[And not forgetting the other player who came on as a sub should have already made it 2-0 a few minutes earlier, as he would do nine times out of ten]
How does this relate to recent narrow wins over Solihull, Southend, Carlisle and Forest Green, which we've seen out very easily and to much acclaim?
[Post edited 25 Feb 0:22]
Maestro? No.
Elite? No.
Heavyweight poster? No.
Able to be rational and not over-react to individual results? Yes.
0
Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 00:21 - Feb 25 with 1577 views
Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 00:05 - Feb 25 by NorthernDale
It was poor to concede two goals in the dying minutes, but in truth we were second best in the second half and the subs may have impacted on our performance in the second half. McNulty stated that fatigue had set in and yes Mani was quiet tonight and the injury to TAR was unfortunate, in that we had free range down the wing with TAR and Gordon But i have to agree bringing Hosannah on was a mistake, in that he looked poor tonight and he seemed to struggle on the ball.
In the first half, we played well, but slowly let them into the game and failed to convert our chances, but why did we sit back in the second half was baffling and taking both Mani and Rodney off at the same time was a mistake in my opinion. I cannot explain Henderson's miss, you have put good money on him scoring normally, but that miss sums our night.
It is now advantage York, in that I cannot see York losing or drawing any games between now and the end of the season at the moment, they are beating teams with ease, yes we can hope, but it would take a miracle.
[Post edited 25 Feb 0:07]
I can see York losing or drawing as early as next Tuesday night when the play a resurgant Borehamwood away.
Its a BRILLIANT goal to cap a BRILLIANT start by Rochdale - Don Goodman 26/08/10
Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 00:10 - Feb 25 by TVOS1907
It was 2-0 against Lincoln and David Hamilton & Jamie Hoyland were the managers at the time, in a game played in November, with over half of the season still to play.
Although I'm not sure of the relevance to tonight.
Do you remember us coming back from 2-0 down in injury time at Chesterfield to draw 2-2?
Or what about coming from 3-0 down at home to Torquay with 11 minutes to play?
They're irrelevant tonight as well, but are worth mentioning in order to bring some perspective to things.
[Post edited 25 Feb 0:17]
Think you may be wrong. Late 90’s. Think they scored twice in injury time. It was on GMR updates so that gives you an idea how long ago.
Do you remember the 4 - 4 at Colchester or the 1 - 0 pre season loss to bury when Alan Knill scored at Radcliffe, or losing at home to Halifax 3 - 2 when Ian Juryeff tore us apart? I mean it’s irrelevant but then….
Every Team Needs A John Ryan - The Winger Who's a Ringer!!!!!
Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 00:31 - Feb 25 by Thacks_Rabbits
Think you may be wrong. Late 90’s. Think they scored twice in injury time. It was on GMR updates so that gives you an idea how long ago.
Do you remember the 4 - 4 at Colchester or the 1 - 0 pre season loss to bury when Alan Knill scored at Radcliffe, or losing at home to Halifax 3 - 2 when Ian Juryeff tore us apart? I mean it’s irrelevant but then….
Yes, I was there for all of them, including the aforementioned 2-2 home draw with Lincoln in November 2001, as per my YouTube channel:
It's still irrelevant to a game over 24 years later.
Ian Juryeff was subbed after 66 minutes in the Halifax game, having failed to score, so maybe he had done all his 'tearing us apart' up to then.
[Post edited 25 Feb 0:38]
Maestro? No.
Elite? No.
Heavyweight poster? No.
Able to be rational and not over-react to individual results? Yes.
0
Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 00:42 - Feb 25 with 1442 views
I really struggle to understand some of the Dale fans mentality, we are having a quite amazing season, its only not our best season because of the level we are playing at, but as far as good seasons, and Dale go, this one is right up there. But tonight we dared to not win an away game, thats it, now the manager who got us in this fantastic position, is being questioned, the same manger whose recruitment has brought us a team we can be so proud of, how often have we been able to say that. People asking for a better manager, wow how much better could another manager do? If we do not win the league this season it will be purely down to the calibre of York City and their excellent strike force, a strike force we cannot afford. Its sad to see some Dale fans go the way of those fans from other clubs, who we have always looked down at. We should be absolutely fully behind JM and trust him, and believe even when it goes wrong, he did the right thing at the time. Let's sit back and enjoy the ride, and may the best team win
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Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 01:06 - Feb 25 with 1399 views
The most points Dale have achieved in a 46 game 3 points for a win season is 82 (2009-10) We currently have 79 points with 13 games to go.
Had the 3 points for a win system been in place during the 1923/24 season over 42 games... We won 25 (matched this year with 13 games to go) = 75 Drew 12 (75+12 = 87) And then assume the four missing games were all won we'd have a presumptive total of 99 points. We have 13 games and a possible 39 points to play for to beat that notional target.
I wasn't confident with Jim staying as head coach after the end of last season. Those of us of similar opinion have been proven wrong. Jim is easily in record breaking territory in terms of this club's history. Even after a poor night in Halifax and a couple of recent draws which have jangled the nerves. Jim has done this club proud in 2025/26 and made this season one of the best ever.
Remember Radio Bolton's ace pundit "Former Rochdale Manager Steve Eyre"? Walter Joyce? To name but two?
Compare and contrast.
2
Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 01:19 - Feb 25 with 1379 views
At 2-0 tonight yes they should have seen the game out, like the 25 others that have done this season. They haven't.Now its all talk of bottling it, throwing it away and not being good enough.
We have played 11 games in 5 1/2 weeks with 6 of those being againt top eight clubs. We have took 27 points from 33 possible, on no planet is that bottling it. And thats is a gruelling schedule so i think tireness is far from a lame excuse it wasn’t more points gained.
Every single person would have taken that after the Hartlepool game.
Unfortunately York have took 25 from 9 games. You have to give them respect.
Yes criticism is acceptable but put it into perspective please.
[Post edited 25 Feb 1:37]
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Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 01:55 - Feb 25 with 1294 views
Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 01:36 - Feb 25 by wozzrafc
At 2-0 tonight yes they should have seen the game out, like the 25 others that have done this season. They haven't.Now its all talk of bottling it, throwing it away and not being good enough.
We have played 11 games in 5 1/2 weeks with 6 of those being againt top eight clubs. We have took 27 points from 33 possible, on no planet is that bottling it. And thats is a gruelling schedule so i think tireness is far from a lame excuse it wasn’t more points gained.
Every single person would have taken that after the Hartlepool game.
Unfortunately York have took 25 from 9 games. You have to give them respect.
Yes criticism is acceptable but put it into perspective please.
[Post edited 25 Feb 1:37]
All teams have a tough, crazy schedule.
We've got a big squad, a talented squad but still be pushing hard. Not thinking 'well, we've done great for most of the season '
Say no to complacency. Drawn, Drawn, Won, Drawn...The manager needs to encourage and do his bit and galvanise this squad with positive on-field decisions, every game. To make the most of our position and opportunity, and get us out of this mediocre form.
0
Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale on 02:11 - Feb 25 with 1278 views
It's quite simple really, all the time results were going the right way. Some hadn't decided to change their minds about Jim but simply tolerated him. Considering the postponements where are squad is, apparently, in the budget table. I personally think having pretty much guaranteed a playoff place with 13 games to go isn't at all bad going.
'Only happy when you've got it often makes you miss the journey'
After a decent start and Rodney's well-taken goal the loss of Tobi (probably not quite ready to return) hindered our momentum and the second half was a very tough watch. Ironically, grabbing our second against the run of play probably gave the lads a false sense of security and we immediately capitulated. I've read all the comments and rationally, we're still in wonderland but football is a game of emotions and there's no doubt our tactical withdrawal felt very much like the gsmes against Spennymoor and Southend
Fortunately, we've got every chance to change that around. We've reacted very well to setbacks this season, so our next performance will tell us whether that can be sustained or whether our challenge for the title is likely to peter out
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