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Reply | Season tickets on sale on Monday
at 15:36 11 Jul 2026
If we could achieve average home crowds next season of 3700 that would be great progress. I include away supporters in that. The first two away fixtures are Tranmere and potentially Bradford, two lovely stadiums to visit and another world away from many of those in the National League. It's amazing how one goal can change the fortunes for football clubs and fans. Mani D with the most important goal in the clubs history? |
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Reply | Season tickets on sale on Monday
at 09:18 11 Jul 2026
It is disproportionate though when those in the Sandy Lane are watching half of the games for free, it's not fair on fans in the other stands. Maybe those who recognise that might consider making a donation to the 1907 group who do such a good job in and around the Stadium on matchdays. The pricing policy isn't down to the fans though, it's the club who set the prices [Post edited 11 Jul 9:24]
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Reply | I play with wingers, not wing backs (n/t)
at 06:16 11 Jul 2026
The interesting thing will be to see how the players make the transition from the National League back up to the EFL, or for the first time in some cases. I don't buy into the notion that there isn't much difference between the leagues and i expected us to bring in more players tried and tested at that level, of course there is still time for that to happen. There might have been mitigating circumstances why our form dropped over the final third of last season but some of those performances against Morecambe, Tamworth, Boreham Wood in the final and others were miles away from what will now be required and they have me a bit worried going forward. How many have further improvement in their game and how many have hit their levels or are on the decline?
I think it will be season two before we can properly judge Watson, he will have had time to shape his own squad by then and those not performing will have been replaced.Cameron Ogden expressed a desire for us to target a return to EFL1, he made no secret of that. To do that Watson will have to be constantly looking to improve the quality in the squad during each transfer window. We have a big affection with the current crop of players but the reality is some of them will be surplus to requirement as we move forward, for a variety of reasons. It's normal in football. The manager has inherited a tight squad of players though who can never be questioned when it comes to battling qualities and togerthness, he's very lucky in that respect. I'm going early with my hopes and expectations/ prediction...a 14th place finish, consolidation. The number of points required to avoid relegation seems to have dropped significantly over recent years, the minimum standard used to be around the 50 point mark. There could be numerous reasons why that's happened. [Post edited 11 Jul 7:19]
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Reply | I play with wingers, not wing backs
at 18:50 10 Jul 2026
I would imagine he will be utilising the loan market to supplement the squad during the season also, deliberately leaving some wiggle room to accomodate that. I'm not sure what the ruling is on the number of loans or when Premiership Clubs have to name their squads for the new season. |
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Reply | I play with wingers, not wing backs
at 17:22 10 Jul 2026
I forgot about Hannant, another option who Watson will also consider. I think we need another forward to compliment Mani D. Somebody who is capable of starting and finishing a game. |
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Reply | I play with wingers, not wing backs
at 17:12 10 Jul 2026
Maybe something like this.
Keeper
Tobi. EEL Maguire. Beckwith
Petit Gilmore
Hayes. Jenkins/East. Rodney
Mani D
I'm hoping we will bring in another forward also. It sounds like he has clarity in his thinking anyway, i trust him to get it right although it might be year two before we really start motoring. [Post edited 10 Jul 17:17]
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Reply | I play with wingers, not wing backs
at 17:00 10 Jul 2026
Plenty of options there which is perfect, everybody fighting for a place in the starting eleven. It sounds as though he is looking to bring in a goalkeeping unit, two goalkeepers and probably two other signings. According to SS fans they played 4-2-3-1 most of the time. [Post edited 10 Jul 17:02]
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Reply | I play with wingers, not wing backs
at 16:53 10 Jul 2026
My thoughts exactly. For all the talk about formations, playing through the thirds and three central defenders, possession stats etc, when it came to the business end of the season it was the good old fashioned putting the ball into the mixer and getting on the end of it that proved decisive. Our two goals at Wembley being perfect examples. You don't have to string twenty passes together to score a goal and you don't have to play it through the thirds at a snails pace. I'm looking forward to seeing a lot higher tempo and pace in our performances. [Post edited 10 Jul 16:55]
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Reply | Dale Sign Jenkins
at 07:42 9 Jul 2026
Agree with that, i hate it when we sign players with a history of usually being injured. The odd one might work but invariably the budget is being wasted. I didn't like that Smith was retained to be honest and the probable reason behind it. He didn't start enough games. In a ideal world i would like to see more new recruits involved in this first week of training and especially when they go to Spain next week, it all helps with intergration and building that team spirit in preperation for the first competitive game of the season which starts in just over three weeks time at Tranmere.
Generating a buzz around the signing of new players also helps to boost season ticket sales and it feels as though some momentum has been lost in respect of that over the last month or so which is a shame. I'm sure Watson has plenty of irons in the fire though, managers live or die on the strength of their squads and he will be desperate to succeed in his first job as a manager at this level. Hayes and Jenkins are solid signings. Henderson coming off the subs bench for the last twenty minutes acts as a psychological nightmare for our opponents, they all know what he can do but very few at this level have been able to stop him coming up with the unexpected or putting the ball in the net. Great that Watson's also embraced the GOAT. [Post edited 9 Jul 8:08]
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Reply | Dale Sign Jenkins
at 05:52 9 Jul 2026
Smith scored some important goals for us from the subs bench but he seemed incapable of starting games and making an impact. He never looked fit to me and always seemed to be gasping for air. How many league games did he actually start, very few. It seemed to me that he was retained as a sweetner to persuade his brother to sign another contract. We have Hendo who can do that Smith role from the bench and do it better.
The South Shield fans eulogise about Jenkins, our manager saw first hand last season what qualities he has and we've paid money to bring him to the club. I'm excited to see him play rather than underwhelmed and have a feeling he will do very well. I keep hearing all these names banded around about who we are signing, not sure if we have a leak inside the club but if we do that person needs to stop undermining the manager, possibly jeopordising signings and put a sock in it.
The Ogdens have moved heaven and earth to get us back into the EFL with all the benefits that brings to the club, they aren't going to jeopordise our status by not supporting the manager, i'm glad Watson's being careful who he recruits and is taking his time. Sign players who can last a full game, we don't want seven or eight players who are contributing very little and just picking up a wage. We had too many of those under McNulty over the last two seasons, many of them capable of doing the same job as each other but ultimately wasted wages. [Post edited 9 Jul 6:05]
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Reply | Dale Sign Jenkins
at 13:28 8 Jul 2026
Paid a fee for him, looks like a signing with the potential to sell on at a later stage and make the club some money. He's very highly thought of at SS and the manager knows him well. Every good midfield needs a tenacious ginger. [Post edited 8 Jul 13:47]
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Reply | World Cup anyone?
at 09:07 8 Jul 2026
A good post that and very fair. I agree about flags on lamp posts also, i love the England flag a lot but it always looks better on a flag pole. One in every Town and village would be great and leave it like that. Showing pride in your country of birth and it's flag should always be encouraged, as it is in every other country. The Club sell a very good England flag with the Dale badge in the middle for £14, i purchased one a couple of days ago. [Post edited 8 Jul 9:11]
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Reply | World Cup anyone?
at 17:54 6 Jul 2026
There is a minority of racists who attatch themselves to the England team though, that can't be denied. It's not unique to England, many Countries in Europe have the same problem, some a lot worse. The most disgraceful targetting of a England player though wasn't racist, it was when Beckham received a red card and effigies of him were hung from lamp posts. Something very few seem to mention these days. [Post edited 6 Jul 18:07]
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Reply | World Cup anyone?
at 17:33 6 Jul 2026
I think you're looking into it a bit too deep. Anybody who calls out racial behaviour needs applauding. The discussion is whether Southgate was the right man to win a trophy. The FA appointed Tuchel because they believe we have a better chance with him at the helm and i agree with them. Take the issue up with the FA not me. The racial abuse aimed at the England penalty takers, i view that as two seperate issues. The knuckledraggers who did that need taking out of society, never mind football stadiums. The decision to put those young lads forward to take those high pressure penalties was rank bad management by Southgate, irrespective of the skin colour. A lack of ruthlessness and a poor decision. I was glad to see the back of Southgate, he waved the white flag against Italy with his defensive tactics. I would never compare Tuchel to Genghis Khan and Gandhi had his faults also, just like Southgate. I don't see any top clubs queueing up to appoint Southgate, a indication that he's not in their plans. [Post edited 6 Jul 17:38]
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Reply | New home kit
at 13:33 6 Jul 2026
I wouldn't expect anything else. |
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Reply | World Cup anyone?
at 13:27 6 Jul 2026
There hasn't been a clamour from top English or European clubs to employ him. England crumbled under Southgate. He was a nice man and a safe pair of hands but to win at the highest level i think you need to be ruthless, i never saw that in him. I'm not saying Tuchel will ultimately be successful but i prefer his personality and passion to Southgates. [Post edited 6 Jul 13:42]
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Reply | World Cup anyone?
at 13:01 6 Jul 2026
He's capable of matching Southgates achievements in his first tournament. Southgates football was boring to watch and when it came to the big moments in games he bottled them..the final against Italy being a good example, frightened to death of losing so fails to seize the momentum of a early goal. I understand there are some fans who still mourn his departure, he won us nothing though. Hopefully Tuchel can emulate him given the time. This squad isn't strong enough though i don't think, but you never know. |
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