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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 22:12 28 Jan 2026
It was often noted on here how it is a results business. Allowing time for those results to get better, month on month, year on year, was vital. If we’d reacted too hastily to the bad defeats, we wouldn’t have continued to improve.
If results had taken a significant downturn of course we wouldn’t be where we are now. They didn’t and we now have a team playing some great football and winning games.
The teams of the past had some cracking individuals capable of some great moments. They didn’t always, unfortunately, have the chance to play in such a well drilled football teams as now. The 4-3-3 Holt and Lambert were more often than not utilised in was indeed a great example of this. The way it fell apart when one or both weren’t in it proved that.
The best thing about recent years is we are no longer falling apart when we lose individual players or games. Contrast to the previous half decade and the change couldn’t be any more significant. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 20:04 28 Jan 2026
Nobody minds the odd groan really. It’s when it becomes frustration that could impact the calmness out on the pitch that it’ll become an issue. Would hope that won’t happen now and if it does it can be ignored by the players.
The work they’ve put in over such a long time, sometimes with results not going how we’d all want, has steeled them for where we are now too. The consistent improvement in play and results has been evident over the last couple of years, reaching its culmination with the ability to shrug off a defeat and carry on regardless.
It’s good that the patience has been recognised. And to be fair support within the ground during two promotion chasing campaigns has been mainly positive throughout. [Post edited 28 Jan 20:05]
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 18:28 28 Jan 2026
The knee slide is one of the most baffling things across the game. It’s a recipe for disaster.
On the style of play it’s universally acknowledged that the game has changed and that Dale are becoming experts at playing the way we do. For all the times we might get frustrated with retaining possession at the back, there are examples of how this has led to goals. The two we scored on Saturday show this in the most positive light. To play any other way now would rip up years of planning and require an influx of different players. Subtle changes can still occur along the way as we’ve seen when signing a Bird/Dieseruvwe. It’s been a fascinating watch over a couple of seasons to see the pieces all fit into place.
We should always look to improve though and mix it up, and we do that too. It’s that the standard of our play, especially our quality of passing and structure across the pitch is much higher than the level we currently play at. The amount of wins and how few goals we concede whilst playing such an attack focused formation is testament to that.
Something that has improved is how we start games, making sure we are playing in the opposition half immediately. That instant control must be very disconcerting for whoever we are playing.
TonyRoch’s post earlier on about the crowd supporting as much as possible makes a crucial point. Any negativity in the ground from here on in won’t be that helpful. The team has earnt that patience and acceptance I think, yet still appreciate others may disagree. [Post edited 28 Jan 18:32]
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 12:38 28 Jan 2026
Agreed. And with that win I think we did get better without playing at our best. We are tactically so good, and we took that up another level. That game management is improving with every victory against all different types of sides.
If individuals like Rodney, Barlow and Dieseruvwe can step it up to where they have been previously, we’ll become even more formidable. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 12:33 28 Jan 2026
Oh I know! Last night seeing that selection, Moss at LWB and Burger coming straight back in after not even making the bench for two games, there was a certain amount of “bloody hell, hope that works”. Not only did it work, with a clear plan for subs along the way, but it was obvious the players had all bought into what they were doing.
There will always be debate about teams/changes/tactics. It appears those debates and doubts do not exist within the dressing room walls. There will be times it doesn’t work of course, it’s that even when it doesn’t it won’t be for the lack of being totally inclusive of why choices were made.
The way we have responded after every defeat is the evidence of that. There’s not been any other Dale side like it in living memory. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 12:16 28 Jan 2026
Yeah, we’ve won as many games as we have by prioritising taking three points every time. That’s why we shouldn’t change and think we don’t have to win every game in hand. Keep the same mentality and consider every game as important as the one before.
It might be we do get some good points in draws as the season goes on, but that’ll be after the game rather than thinking “we’d take a point in that one”
Actually think the team maybe have greater faith in themselves than fans, but that’s definitely changing. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 23:03 27 Jan 2026
They weren’t last season before that late run which got them into the playoffs.
I think he’s ok but has no clear tactical approach. They seem stuck between flooding forward and sitting back. Over-reliant on individuals. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 22:39 27 Jan 2026
Even though he lost it, it meant Scott Morriss had gone from thinking “I’m not getting a kick here” with Moss against him to “oh so now I’ll have to defend” once Allarakhia came on.
It was, as R17 notes, bold. Both before and during the game. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 22:35 27 Jan 2026
They didn’t come and put much pressure on us as many thought. We just played our usual game, without creating the multitude of chances as we did on Saturday but it was against the second best defence in the division.
That they didn’t cause us any real issues may have been partly due to the excellent tactical decision to play Moss as a LWB and making Scott Morriss wonder where he would get any space down that side.
After that the switch that led to Pettit joining Gilmour in midfield and East going into one of the wider forward roles reduced their impetus after they started to have more of the ball too. The final killer sub was Pritchard who joined Allarakhia as a threat on the left and it resulted in the winner.
A masterclass in remaining calm, sticking to a game plan and utilisation of the squad as a multitude of changes both in starting line up and substitutions were fully justified. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 21:49 27 Jan 2026
Him and Allarakhia made such a difference down that side after nullifying Scott-Morriss throughout (bar that scrappy goal which wasn’t down to how we set up in open play) |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 21:47 27 Jan 2026
Been a high line every week. He seemed to make the wrong choice, would need to see again.
What a win though. Southend had more of the ball second half without ever testing the keeper. The tactics throughout and subsequent subs won us that game. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 20:34 27 Jan 2026
Southend content to let us have it at the back. Lots of good approach play but a poor bit of defending for their goal before Gordon’s equaliser.
Very different game to previous against the same opposition. They look like they’d take a point within minutes of kick off. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 19:39 27 Jan 2026
I’d hope not as it might mean we’re losing! Real quality available to come on though.
Hosannah in from nowhere is the real standout. Proof that there’s a plan to utilise everyone. [Post edited 27 Jan 19:39]
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Truro City
at 20:44 26 Jan 2026
I’d agree there were situations like that which were frustrating. Especially as though we’d seen both Hogan and Gordon play those direct balls from the back into the centre of the pitch to great effect with the goals. However, I’m leaning towards trusting the players as to when they choose to make that pass and it could be impacted by the positions of others around them and assessing danger if it is cut out.
Playing such an attacking formation which often sees us with only two defenders once a wide CB pushes on means there is a high risk attached. That trust from supporters towards the players is optional, but again can only point to the results when saying I’m prepared to give it and have the belief that creating doubt wouldn’t help.
Focusing on the positives whilst acknowledging areas where we can improve without it becoming negative will see us continue in the same vein I think. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Truro City
at 18:29 26 Jan 2026
Yes, I believe at times he was too slow. But on other occasions he wasn’t, including in the lead up to the two goals.
EEL fulfils the exact same role, his regular appearances help to the flow of our play. Would think that any player would benefit from playing regularly within a set structure (EEL himself struggle initially after returning to the side last season, which led to criticism from fans).
Also they’re different players so maybe Hogan isn’t as effective, his lack of game time points to that, but he did alright on Saturday. His ball through to Gilmour for the second was very good. |
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Reply | Southend game
at 18:22 26 Jan 2026
Reporter in Southend has posted on Twitter that the away game that was due to have been played this Saturday will now be on Tue 17th March.
If correct that will see a period of four away in five games. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Truro City
at 18:05 26 Jan 2026
I wasnt suggesting that, it was a rhetorical question pointing out the obvious issues against the same opposition when we lost our structure in a great game. Something that was totally down to the manager. We’d all take learning lessons as we have so far this season and winning.
Don’t know of anyone who is subservient to the manager, his mistakes have been long recognised and I for one wish he’d be more flexible in his formation. I understand why he isn’t but I think it limits us in certain games/stages of the game. It’s hard to argue that though, because by changing to a midfield three and front two it could lead to the solidity and effectiveness of the side being impacted.
Edit: and totally agree fans are entitled to their views too, this is a great place to do that. I’d expect mine to be challenged as much as anyone else would expect the same. I’ve acknowledged the issue around Hogan and agree that he was slow at times, can only offer possible reasons for that and how it wasn’t actually much of an issue. Especially as he was involved in both goals. [Post edited 26 Jan 18:10]
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Truro City
at 17:52 26 Jan 2026
I’m not an advocate of that style. My posts over time and again in the last week state that clearly.
What I’m an advocate of, as I’ve been throughout my time as a fan, is finding the best way to play with the players we have at any given time. If we are getting results, playing some half decent football most of the time, then I’m not sure what more can be expected.
The clean sheets, getting results is down to how we attack as well as how we defend. We play with three defenders, two of which have licence to go forward. That they can at the right time is only possible because of the way they choose to play at the back. Change that, you change everything.
I can’t be certain, but that Hogan was a bit slower on the ball has more to do with his lack of regular game time more than anything else. But yes, everyone has the right to see it differently and groan if they want when we’re 2-0 up, still looking a threat and on our way to our 20th win in 25 games. |
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