| Watson..... 21:00 - Sep 5 with 10107 views | Sandyman |
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| "And only as far as Casey Pettit......" |
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| Watson..... on 22:39 - Sep 5 with 7299 views | beat_the_bishop |
The managerial merry go round is about to commence. Soon be slim picking and early season failures. Scary prospect. |  | | |
| Watson..... on 00:07 - Sep 6 with 7099 views | 49thseason |
Still a bit early for me, we need to see his prefered team in action first ( who ever is in that, assuming he knows), what does need sorting out is the injury list, We would be better paying off people like Maguire if they are nowhere near fit (and not reliably likely to stay fit) and rolling the dice on an injury- free, out- of- contract player or two.. there are 1000s of players looking for some sort of contract with decent previous experience.... |  | | |
| Watson..... on 01:02 - Sep 6 with 7020 views | Edindale |
| Watson..... on 00:07 - Sep 6 by 49thseason |
Still a bit early for me, we need to see his prefered team in action first ( who ever is in that, assuming he knows), what does need sorting out is the injury list, We would be better paying off people like Maguire if they are nowhere near fit (and not reliably likely to stay fit) and rolling the dice on an injury- free, out- of- contract player or two.. there are 1000s of players looking for some sort of contract with decent previous experience.... |
Okay but IW needs 2-3 points from the next two games. If we loose both then there is no way back and I think he would be honest enough to acknowledge this based on his post match interview.
Agree that we need to dispense of the players who are not good enough or fit enough. The management should now know who these individuals are.
The injury list is unprecedented with two more out this week until December.
Not sure that there are thousands out there waiting to be signed but if there is a centre back and a centre forward who can score goals then we need to try and trade. Possibly at the expense of one of our many wingers.
In my view IW needs help with this as our signings this season to date have not been great. |  | | |
| Watson..... on 01:14 - Sep 6 with 6996 views | rich_dale |
| Watson..... on 01:02 - Sep 6 by Edindale |
Okay but IW needs 2-3 points from the next two games. If we loose both then there is no way back and I think he would be honest enough to acknowledge this based on his post match interview.
Agree that we need to dispense of the players who are not good enough or fit enough. The management should now know who these individuals are.
The injury list is unprecedented with two more out this week until December.
Not sure that there are thousands out there waiting to be signed but if there is a centre back and a centre forward who can score goals then we need to try and trade. Possibly at the expense of one of our many wingers.
In my view IW needs help with this as our signings this season to date have not been great. |
I would say the playing staff options are fine, just worrying to observe the disconnect today. | | | |
| Watson..... on 01:18 - Sep 6 with 6998 views | richfoad32 |
| Watson..... on 00:07 - Sep 6 by 49thseason |
Still a bit early for me, we need to see his prefered team in action first ( who ever is in that, assuming he knows), what does need sorting out is the injury list, We would be better paying off people like Maguire if they are nowhere near fit (and not reliably likely to stay fit) and rolling the dice on an injury- free, out- of- contract player or two.. there are 1000s of players looking for some sort of contract with decent previous experience.... |
Maguire is 2 months into a 2 year deal, how much would it cost to pay him up? The Ogdens have always stated they're not going to throw money at the club, are they prepared to write off possibly £100k or more? And then shell out for yet another new player? Most free agents are out there for a reason, they're injury prone, old (by football standards) or just deemed not up to it any more. It's likely one or two gems have slipped through the net but having already 'rolled the dice' on the likes of Maguire and Sherring, do you really trust Watson to root them out if there is? | | | |
| Watson..... on 11:07 - Sep 6 with 6419 views | Beechball |
| Watson..... on 01:18 - Sep 6 by richfoad32 |
Maguire is 2 months into a 2 year deal, how much would it cost to pay him up? The Ogdens have always stated they're not going to throw money at the club, are they prepared to write off possibly £100k or more? And then shell out for yet another new player? Most free agents are out there for a reason, they're injury prone, old (by football standards) or just deemed not up to it any more. It's likely one or two gems have slipped through the net but having already 'rolled the dice' on the likes of Maguire and Sherring, do you really trust Watson to root them out if there is? |
I think people are writing Sherring off a little early. It's only two years since he was a regular in a midtable League One side. Unless he's got a long-term impairment ,he could still come good. | | | |
| Watson..... on 12:41 - Sep 6 with 6159 views | 49thseason |
| Watson..... on 01:18 - Sep 6 by richfoad32 |
Maguire is 2 months into a 2 year deal, how much would it cost to pay him up? The Ogdens have always stated they're not going to throw money at the club, are they prepared to write off possibly £100k or more? And then shell out for yet another new player? Most free agents are out there for a reason, they're injury prone, old (by football standards) or just deemed not up to it any more. It's likely one or two gems have slipped through the net but having already 'rolled the dice' on the likes of Maguire and Sherring, do you really trust Watson to root them out if there is? |
There may be a clause in his contract if he is incapacitated long term because of a reccurence of a previous injury that allows the club to end the contract. The club may even have insurance to cover these circumstance or failing any of this there could be a negotiated settlement with him. An agreed payout may be more attractive to him than traipsing into Manchester every day.. Given his previous injury record, he should have some sort of injury clause in his contract or someone hasn't done enough due diligence....
Google.. ....
Laurence Maguire is generally considered significantly more injury-prone than his peers. Over recent seasons, repetitive muscular setbacks—particularly recurring hamstring issues—have severely disrupted his playing time compared to typical lower-league English centre-backs.
A breakdown of how his injury record stacks up reveals why he is viewed this way:
Recurring Hamstring and Muscle Issues
Maguire’s primary vulnerability is a recurring hamstring problem that has repeatedly halted his momentum.
The 2024–25 Season: He suffered a severe hamstring tear on Boxing Day that sidelined him for ten weeks.
The 2025–26 Pre-Season: Just as he recovered, his hamstring "went" again during the summer pre-season, forcing him to miss another ten weeks and the start of the campaign.
December 2025: Shortly after returning, he limped off just 28 minutes into a match against Cambridge United with another muscular injury. This forced his club at the time, MK Dons, to leave him unregistered for the second half of the season because they could not rely on his fitness.
Current Status
After transferring to Rochdale in the summer of 2026, his luck has unfortunately not changed. In late August 2026, Rochdale management confirmed that Maguire had already suffered a further injury setback, continuing the trend that has plagued his career. | | | |
| Watson..... on 12:49 - Sep 6 with 6140 views | Cedar_Room |
| Watson..... on 01:02 - Sep 6 by Edindale |
Okay but IW needs 2-3 points from the next two games. If we loose both then there is no way back and I think he would be honest enough to acknowledge this based on his post match interview.
Agree that we need to dispense of the players who are not good enough or fit enough. The management should now know who these individuals are.
The injury list is unprecedented with two more out this week until December.
Not sure that there are thousands out there waiting to be signed but if there is a centre back and a centre forward who can score goals then we need to try and trade. Possibly at the expense of one of our many wingers.
In my view IW needs help with this as our signings this season to date have not been great. |
I agree we need 2 or 3 points from the next two games but I also think thats absolutely never going to happen. Walsall sit 5th and haven’t lost a game yet. Oldham have started decently and will be well up for the derby game. Will our players? Not on the showings so far.
If the test is how things will be in another 2 games then we are simply delaying the inevitable. |  | | |
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| Watson..... on 12:49 - Sep 6 with 6133 views | EllDale |
In light of this why the hell was he signed? | | | |
| Watson..... on 13:02 - Sep 6 with 6093 views | tony_roch975 |
| Watson..... on 12:49 - Sep 6 by EllDale |
In light of this why the hell was he signed? |
possibly a panic move by a newly appointed inexperienced manager in a shortened pre-season desperate to boost a defence which had lost its 2 best players? | |
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| Watson..... on 13:38 - Sep 6 with 5998 views | upthedale2403 |
Ian Watson seems a decent bloke and nobody enjoys calling for someone to lose their job, the injury list has been brutal and he’s said himself he’s never known a start like it. New club, new league, half your first choice XI unavailable — that’s a rough hand.
nobody sensible thought this season was going to be easy. Coming up into League Two is a big step. Better players, better teams, harder games week in week out. Most of us went into August expecting a scrap and would’ve taken fourth from bottom in May and been glad of it.
But that’s exactly why the start matters, and injuries don’t explain what I watched yesterday.
One win from five. Three points. Twenty-second. Beaten at home by Crawley, done late at Colchester, then 4-1 by a Gillingham side who hadn’t won all season and who lost two players injured inside the first half hour. Tuesday against Shrewsbury was a proper performance and it felt like we’d turned a corner. Yesterday made that look like a one-off.
Now look at who we’ve actually played. Newport, Crawley, Shrewsbury, Gillingham, Colchester — with respect, that’s the half of the division we’re supposed to be competing with. Those were our points. And it doesn’t get any kinder from here: Walsall away then Oldham at home, both flying, and a run of decent sides after that. We could very easily be ten games in, cut adrift at the bottom, with a squad of borrowed kids who’ve learned nothing all season except how to lose. That’s the bit that frightens me. Once losing becomes the habit at this level it is very hard to break, and by then you’re not sacking a manager to improve, you’re sacking him to survive.
My real problem is what’s been thrown away. Last season was a triumph — record points, Wembley, back in the Football League. Then McNulty went to Stockport and took Taylor and Done with him. Kyron Gordon followed them, Perry and Whatmuff went back to their clubs But the spine of that squad stayed. Players who knew the system, knew each other, and knew how to win games.
Watson’s come in and pulled it apart. He binned the back Three, went to a four, shipped three at Newport, then switched back to a three by game three. Two systems in five matches and we don’t look right in either.
Yesterday we had a loan keeper in Ramming and three of the back four loanees under 21. Charlie Tasker had been here four days, he looks a decent player. But you can’t build a defence out of kids who’ve never played senior football, who have never played together,
Watson has been backed. The club have put their hand in their pocket for him this summer, He hasn’t been asked to do it on nothing. He was given the money to go and get experienced League Two players and he’s spent the summer assembling a squad of loans and projects instead.
The crowds have been superb on top of it. 4,005 in yesterday, nearly 3,900 for Crawley. That won’t last forever though, and watching a borrowed back four get taken apart by the bottom team in the league is a quick way to lose it.
The job wasn’t complicated. Spend that money on proper replacements for the ones we lost. Stick with the shape and the habits that got us up. Get some points on the board in August. Then bring his own ideas in gradually once we’re settled.
Instead he’s changed the lot at once, in a division we’ve only just come up into, with a squad that’s half built and half fit. Too much, too fast.
I hope I’m wrong. I’d love to be sat here in April saying he turned it round. But we spent three years getting out of the National League and I’m not prepared to risk a season finding out. | | | |
| Watson..... on 14:58 - Sep 6 with 5735 views | Yorkshire_Dale |
They are always 'decent blokes' ......no one ever,ever argues about that, but sometimes it's sort of cruel to let thing drift. IW seems like a broken man in post match interview, shell shocked just like most of the fans! | | | |
| Watson..... on 15:40 - Sep 6 with 5590 views | Yorkshire_Dale |
| Watson..... on 12:41 - Sep 6 by 49thseason |
There may be a clause in his contract if he is incapacitated long term because of a reccurence of a previous injury that allows the club to end the contract. The club may even have insurance to cover these circumstance or failing any of this there could be a negotiated settlement with him. An agreed payout may be more attractive to him than traipsing into Manchester every day.. Given his previous injury record, he should have some sort of injury clause in his contract or someone hasn't done enough due diligence....
Google.. ....
Laurence Maguire is generally considered significantly more injury-prone than his peers. Over recent seasons, repetitive muscular setbacks—particularly recurring hamstring issues—have severely disrupted his playing time compared to typical lower-league English centre-backs.
A breakdown of how his injury record stacks up reveals why he is viewed this way:
Recurring Hamstring and Muscle Issues
Maguire’s primary vulnerability is a recurring hamstring problem that has repeatedly halted his momentum.
The 2024–25 Season: He suffered a severe hamstring tear on Boxing Day that sidelined him for ten weeks.
The 2025–26 Pre-Season: Just as he recovered, his hamstring "went" again during the summer pre-season, forcing him to miss another ten weeks and the start of the campaign.
December 2025: Shortly after returning, he limped off just 28 minutes into a match against Cambridge United with another muscular injury. This forced his club at the time, MK Dons, to leave him unregistered for the second half of the season because they could not rely on his fitness.
Current Status
After transferring to Rochdale in the summer of 2026, his luck has unfortunately not changed. In late August 2026, Rochdale management confirmed that Maguire had already suffered a further injury setback, continuing the trend that has plagued his career. |
Who in their right mind signed Maquire knowing that track record of a sicknote?
49er simply picked that catalogue of crocks from Google.
Amazing, and he's picked up a decent wedge for 8/9 weeks. That's good S/t money gone in my book. | | | |
| Watson..... on 16:23 - Sep 6 with 5449 views | borodale |
| Watson..... on 15:40 - Sep 6 by Yorkshire_Dale |
Who in their right mind signed Maquire knowing that track record of a sicknote?
49er simply picked that catalogue of crocks from Google.
Amazing, and he's picked up a decent wedge for 8/9 weeks. That's good S/t money gone in my book. |
Maguire said in his signing interview he'd spoken to McNulty initially and it progressed from there.
I'm staggered that a blatant sick note has got past MRKT, McNulty, Watson responsible business acumen and got a two year contract!!!
Sherring to a lesser extent as he's had a rough 18 months but previously was a regular league one player. Could still recover form/confidence. | | | |
| Watson..... on 17:10 - Sep 6 with 5289 views | dawlishdale |
| Watson..... on 16:23 - Sep 6 by borodale |
Maguire said in his signing interview he'd spoken to McNulty initially and it progressed from there.
I'm staggered that a blatant sick note has got past MRKT, McNulty, Watson responsible business acumen and got a two year contract!!!
Sherring to a lesser extent as he's had a rough 18 months but previously was a regular league one player. Could still recover form/confidence. |
There are so many danger signals surrounding Maguire it's amazing that they were somehow all overlooked or missed.
Back in 2019, he missed a significant time because of a heart condition.
Injuries and illness have followed him around much of his career.
With a history of injuries like this; he should be on a pay as you play deal.
What are we doing regarding background checks on potential players? Perhaps one for the forum...if it goes ahead. | | | |
| Watson..... on 17:32 - Sep 6 with 5164 views | JimmyRustler |
| Watson..... on 16:23 - Sep 6 by borodale |
Maguire said in his signing interview he'd spoken to McNulty initially and it progressed from there.
I'm staggered that a blatant sick note has got past MRKT, McNulty, Watson responsible business acumen and got a two year contract!!!
Sherring to a lesser extent as he's had a rough 18 months but previously was a regular league one player. Could still recover form/confidence. |
Very interesting in hindsight that he mentioned McNulty, maybe to ensure that he put distance between himself and IW so it didn’t look like a job for the boys signing? |  | | |
| Watson..... on 06:44 - Sep 9 with 3780 views | DaleiLama |
Quite by chance, there is a staunch SS fan of many years staying at the same place as us and saw my Dale towel which started a good chat.
The main takes were:
Jenkins should have been a really good addition for us this year and they are all hoping he goes on to great things.
He always had a plan B and C at SS if things weren't working
He made timely, and on occasions game changing/winning subs.
This is not a post defending him, nor is it suggesting he hasn't made mistakes, but some of the criticism he has received about his abilities are only unique to his time with us. Fwiw I am still in the undecided camp but can see 'the snowball gaining downhill momentum'. Soon it will be too late to stop it. 🤞we get some more points before then. [Post edited 9 Sep 6:49]
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| Watson..... on 08:59 - Sep 9 with 3589 views | D_Alien |
| Watson..... on 06:44 - Sep 9 by DaleiLama |
Quite by chance, there is a staunch SS fan of many years staying at the same place as us and saw my Dale towel which started a good chat.
The main takes were:
Jenkins should have been a really good addition for us this year and they are all hoping he goes on to great things.
He always had a plan B and C at SS if things weren't working
He made timely, and on occasions game changing/winning subs.
This is not a post defending him, nor is it suggesting he hasn't made mistakes, but some of the criticism he has received about his abilities are only unique to his time with us. Fwiw I am still in the undecided camp but can see 'the snowball gaining downhill momentum'. Soon it will be too late to stop it. 🤞we get some more points before then. [Post edited 9 Sep 6:49]
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Thanks for the feedback DL
That's pretty much how i'd imagine our recruitment process would've seen it, i.e. capable of achieving forward momentum, including in-game, plus his experience as assistant manager in L2; also someone with integrity and looking to progress his own career, not just someone who'd been around a few blocks looking for their next wage
We are were we are though. I'm expecting both IW and the board to front up at the forum, and as you say, some of the personal criticism (e.g. "word salads") aren't justified. The performances aren't good enough (Tranmere and Shrewsbury apart) that's the bottom line |  |
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| Watson..... on 16:19 - Sep 9 with 2921 views | Cedar_Room |
| Watson..... on 06:44 - Sep 9 by DaleiLama |
Quite by chance, there is a staunch SS fan of many years staying at the same place as us and saw my Dale towel which started a good chat.
The main takes were:
Jenkins should have been a really good addition for us this year and they are all hoping he goes on to great things.
He always had a plan B and C at SS if things weren't working
He made timely, and on occasions game changing/winning subs.
This is not a post defending him, nor is it suggesting he hasn't made mistakes, but some of the criticism he has received about his abilities are only unique to his time with us. Fwiw I am still in the undecided camp but can see 'the snowball gaining downhill momentum'. Soon it will be too late to stop it. 🤞we get some more points before then. [Post edited 9 Sep 6:49]
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He doesn’t appear to have a Plan B or C at Rochdale.
He’s been criticised after several games for leaving substitutions until far too late. Can anyone think of any game where he’s made a sub that has changed things around?
If he can do all this elsewhere then it only confirms that he’s totally out of his depth here.
Can we afford to wait for him to find his feet? | | | |
| Watson..... on 16:22 - Sep 9 with 2917 views | tony_roch975 |
Sorry for my ignorance but the poll appears to have disappeared? | |
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| Watson..... on 17:40 - Sep 9 with 2765 views | 442Dale |
| Watson..... on 08:59 - Sep 9 by D_Alien |
Thanks for the feedback DL
That's pretty much how i'd imagine our recruitment process would've seen it, i.e. capable of achieving forward momentum, including in-game, plus his experience as assistant manager in L2; also someone with integrity and looking to progress his own career, not just someone who'd been around a few blocks looking for their next wage
We are were we are though. I'm expecting both IW and the board to front up at the forum, and as you say, some of the personal criticism (e.g. "word salads") aren't justified. The performances aren't good enough (Tranmere and Shrewsbury apart) that's the bottom line |
There’s certainly no need for any personal stuff towards the manager, as has rightly been said. It was just as unnecessary and unhelpful when McNulty was subject to similar during his time. Going for someone as a character, or the derogatory nickname route about managers who are decent people doing their best is poor form.
Admittedly that’s up to individuals. I’m sure to some there’s no hypocrisy in celebrating the achievements of a bloke they referred to as “McNumpty”. |  |
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| Watson..... on 17:48 - Sep 9 with 2739 views | diplodocus |
1 million quids worth of talent injured. whoever thought that we -'The might dale' would ever be in the position to use the term ONE MILLION? even Pep couldn't have worked miracles with that kind of ill fortune. | | | |
| Watson..... on 17:55 - Sep 9 with 2714 views | NorthernDale |
| Watson..... on 16:19 - Sep 9 by Cedar_Room |
He doesn’t appear to have a Plan B or C at Rochdale.
He’s been criticised after several games for leaving substitutions until far too late. Can anyone think of any game where he’s made a sub that has changed things around?
If he can do all this elsewhere then it only confirms that he’s totally out of his depth here.
Can we afford to wait for him to find his feet? |
I have to agree, he may be a nice person, but his team selections and subs have been baffling and seem to be desperate gambles. I still think the move from the Conference North to the EFL is a step to far for him and can we afford to be cut adrift while the board dithers. | | | |
| Watson..... on 18:05 - Sep 9 with 2676 views | 442Dale |
| Watson..... on 17:55 - Sep 9 by NorthernDale |
I have to agree, he may be a nice person, but his team selections and subs have been baffling and seem to be desperate gambles. I still think the move from the Conference North to the EFL is a step to far for him and can we afford to be cut adrift while the board dithers. |
So what would you do? | |
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| Watson..... on 18:38 - Sep 9 with 2589 views | Cedar_Room |
| Watson..... on 18:05 - Sep 9 by 442Dale |
So what would you do? |
I’d have got rid of him on Monday after the Gillingham debacle and started the search for someone with more experience.
I imagine the Board are going to give this at least another 5 games, given their resounding vote of confidence today.
Those games are against: Walsall (5th) Oldham (10th) Fleetwood (6th) Swindon (2nd) and Tranmere (4th).
We maybe eek out a draw against Oldham if it turns into one of those horrible niggly derby games, but I can see it more likely a humiliating drubbing, same as the other 4 fixtures.
That would undoubtedly see us in 24th place in the league and already a few points adrift.
The atmosphere in the stands is hardly likely to have improved meaning even more bad vibes and toxicity.
At that point we’re looking at needing at least 41 more points from the remaining 36 games (with the average over the last 10 years to avoid the drop being about 44 points) - thats having to win a third of all remaining games.
Even if we change managers at that stage - we’re now looking at someone not addressing a poor start but needing immediate turnaround and pretty great form just to avoid relegation, when the bond between fans and players will be badly damaged and the team will be demoralised and devoid of confidence after achieving just 1 win in 10.
None of this seems far fetched but going off the performances so far, pretty inevitable.
I think the writing is already on the wall and delaying the decision will only cost us. Would love to be proven wrong. | | | |
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