| A week is a long time in .................... football! 21:19 - Nov 6 with 2180 views | suffolkdale |
This time last week, on a high - 3 derby wins, team playing well and Calvin Andrew arguably the player of the season and widely regarded as a great ambassador for himself and the club.
The 'that' video is sent to the FA - presumably by Oldham Athletic - and the whole world is turned upside down. Suddenly Calvin is a thug or worse, the social media world goes into overdrive, and Rochdale AFC is a club which tolerates this, that and the other.
So seven days later where are we now? Well the offence is a bad one, totally out of character and deserves punishment. But where does it stand with aerial challenges where players knowingly elbow other players when going for the ball, with exactly the same intent? With bad tackles that break players legs and end players careers? And what of the context - a player that has played over 300 league games and never been sent off, a truly isolated incident despite years of provocation. And Rochdale AFC - what of our years of 'fair play'?
Does all this count for nought - apparently it does - a truly excessive punishment handed out to a classic football journeyman, at 'little old Rochdale'. Apparently some things never change.
Well I hope we - team Rochdale - don't change either. We do not condone Calvin's actions nor do we condemn him for life. He deserves our support in his rehabilitation and I trust we will give it to him. Those who condemn him have never made a mistake in their life? Never met Calvin? Hide behind social media pseudonyms? Football is important but we must not pillory or hang out to dry a loyal servant who has made a bad mistake, no more. The FA have been excessive in their punishment , made it far worse than necessary and this man deserves support as well as criticism.
As for today, how important was that goal in the final minute? After a lousy week we had our bit of luck and the relief was immense. We are down to the bare bones and our spirit was there for all to see. Let us maintain that spirit - fans, directors, players and manager - and in due course welcome Calvin back. By then a lot more things will have happened in football, and in life, and hopefully Calvin can slip back into a degree of obscurity which I suspect he yearns for at this moment of time.
|  | | |  |
| A week is a long time in .................... football! on 21:36 - Nov 6 with 2085 views | SteTsGoldenBoot |
What is done, is done, nothing can change that.
Calvin I am sure will take his punishment like a man and when the ban has been served, he will have done his time.
Although Calvin has developed into an important player for us, he hasn't been an ever present over his time here, so he's not the messiah.....................
The squad is a bit thin on the ground at the minute, but that will give some of our youth an opportunity, our next star will be born and we certainly won't bleat about our injuries like certain clubs would.
We are in the top third of League One, in the second round draw for the FA Cup and in decent health off the pitch.
So not the best of weeks, but by god it could be a damn site worse.
Dale Til We Die |  |
| Everything thats been, has past. The answers in the looking glass! |
| |
| A week is a long time in .................... football! on 21:48 - Nov 6 with 2016 views | 442Dale |
Not sure why Oldham merited a mention.
The only way this whole situation can move forwards is by allowing things to play out, including a statement from the player when it's appropriate. We can all have our own opinions about lengths of bans and what contributed to the incident, but it really would be best if we accepted what has happened so far and look towards Calvin returning to the side when his suspension is over. |  |
| |
| A week is a long time in .................... football! on 22:15 - Nov 6 with 1931 views | dingdangblue |
| A week is a long time in .................... football! on 21:48 - Nov 6 by 442Dale |
Not sure why Oldham merited a mention.
The only way this whole situation can move forwards is by allowing things to play out, including a statement from the player when it's appropriate. We can all have our own opinions about lengths of bans and what contributed to the incident, but it really would be best if we accepted what has happened so far and look towards Calvin returning to the side when his suspension is over. |
Or on Wednesday! 😉 |  |
| |
| A week is a long time in .................... football! on 22:17 - Nov 6 with 1923 views | judd |
Is it a knock out competition? |  |
| |
| A week is a long time in .................... football! on 22:37 - Nov 6 with 1859 views | dingdangblue |
| A week is a long time in .................... football! on 22:17 - Nov 6 by judd |
Is it a knock out competition? |
The Checkyerface Trophy? | |
| |
| A week is a long time in .................... football! on 22:57 - Nov 6 with 1798 views | judd |
| A week is a long time in .................... football! on 22:37 - Nov 6 by dingdangblue |
The Checkyerface Trophy? |
That's on boxing day | |
| |
| A week is a long time in .................... football! on 23:02 - Nov 6 with 1782 views | R17ALE |
| A week is a long time in .................... football! on 21:48 - Nov 6 by 442Dale |
Not sure why Oldham merited a mention.
The only way this whole situation can move forwards is by allowing things to play out, including a statement from the player when it's appropriate. We can all have our own opinions about lengths of bans and what contributed to the incident, but it really would be best if we accepted what has happened so far and look towards Calvin returning to the side when his suspension is over. |
Oldham merited a mention because it is alleged they used their access (exclusive to FL clubs) to a website on which all FL matches are available for scouting purposes, and on spotting the offence released it to the papers, presumably for a fee. The papers don't have access to this facility, so it had to come from a club.
Now, I don't have a problem with Oldham releasing the footage. Calvin was out of order and needed bringing to book. Oldham have done nothing wrong in my view.
But, get your money on him scoring the winner when we visit BP! [Post edited 6 Nov 2016 23:04]
|  |
| |
| A week is a long time in .................... football! on 09:13 - Nov 21 with 1273 views | aleanddale |
Fair play to Dale the ship steadied in adversity.
Checkatrade progression.
Cup replay win.
Fantastic display on Saturday in the league.
Now to continue this form for a very important 3 games coming up. | | | |
Login to get fewer ads
| A week is a long time in .................... football! on 12:59 - Nov 21 with 1031 views | wimborne_dale |
Excellent OP. |  |
| |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
