| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 11:23 - Mar 23 with 2079 views | fitzochris |
Having read through all the posts in this thread, I can see that there are some valid criticisms following what was a disappointing performance. The second half yesterday, in particular, was unacceptable for this group of players – I’m sure that’s something we can all agree on.
But what I’m genuinely keen to understand is what the broader fanbase expects from this team this season. Are we aiming for the league title? Or are second, third, or fourth place acceptable goals? I ask because, as I understand it, we’re still on track for the first year of a three-year plan, which is to compete for a play-off berth. There’s also the added bonus of potentially reaching a national cup final.
If we were languishing near the bottom of the table, I’d completely understand calls for a change of manager or head coach, as that would suggest we’re well off course. But we’re not in that position.
I keep hearing that this squad should be achieving much more. Again, I ask, what exactly are the expectations?
It’s worth remembering that these players are a combination of those making the transition to full-time football after coming from part-time clubs last season, or they’ve been released by higher-tier teams, or they’re academy players finding their way. They’re being moulded into a cohesive unit, and I believe the approach is similar to what Gateshead have done – building over time, rather than splashing out on expensive, high-profile players and hoping for immediate success. We’re also clearly lacking a consistent number nine and a target man (until Bird), which has been an issue all season. Some of the criticism suggests Mitchell and Rodney, two key players, haven’t contributed as much as we’d hoped. We can’t have it both ways – if we’re expecting more from the squad, those key individuals need to step up too.
Of course, this evolution hasn’t been perfect. We’ve ended up with too many similar players in the wide attacking positions, and yes, that’s something the head coach needs to take responsibility for. It would be interesting to hear his reasoning behind that, to be honest.
So, in my view, seventh place in the table is about right for this group. With a striker acquired in the summer – and the right one at that – I’d expect phase two of the three-year plan to aim for a top-three finish, with promotion being the goal for year three. I believe this is what McNulty is being judged on by the club’s owners. It might be helpful if the Ogdens outlined this plan to the supporters more clearly, as right now the three-year plan can be interpreted in various ways, as James has mentioned.
It’s also worth considering the impact of the pitch issues over December and January. That clearly disrupted momentum, and it wouldn’t be fair to overlook that considering the disruption and consternation among the support it caused at the time.
I understand the argument for entertainment and that this brand of football might not be for everyone. Personally, I’ve always prioritised results over thrills, and if we’d held on for a 1-0 win yesterday, I’d have been happy regardless of how it was achieved. I’ll always point out flaws match by match, as any fan would, but I try not to lose sight of the bigger picture. For example, I don’t mind how long we spend playing the ball in the first two-thirds of the pitch as long as we show urgency and intent when we get into the final third. Unfortunately, that’s been missing in a fair few games, including yesterday. I do find that frustrating, but I’ve only genuinely been concerned about this squad after the Barnet home game, where the team showed no identity, and it seemed like the players had given up. Thankfully, that hasn’t been the case before or since.
That said, I get that fans want both entertainment and results. If I could get that every week, I’d be happy too. The reality is, though, that we haven’t experienced that since Hill was in charge, and even before him, when we had Holt and Lambert up front. Historically, we haven’t been spoiled with exciting football at Dale.
It’s also ironic that some of those calling for a managerial change have suggested alternatives like Mike Williamson, who sets up his teams in exactly the same way McNulty does, and has failed in his previous two EFL appointments with that approach.
Graham Coughlan’s pragmatic style has worked at Boston, but that type of football is more suited to a backs-to-the-wall scenario. It’s not infallible, and I’m sure those who want entertainment would tire of it sooner or later.
Ultimately, McNulty is working towards a three-year plan to get us into the EFL. If he achieves that within the given timeframe, then he will have fulfilled his task. If not, he will be judged accordingly.
Whether he is the right man to lead us once we’re in the EFL is a separate conversation. But if he gets us there, he will have earned the right to try. |  |
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| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 11:24 - Mar 23 with 2069 views | 49thseason |
Thère is really nowhere to hide, JM has had a good budget, has an excellent training facility, and has been bringing in different players to cover injuries and to improve the squad, and yet....the likelihood is we will finish on about 72 points if we can maintain 1.5 points per game, it should have been many more....Essentially we now have a 10 game league season and if he can win 18+ points from 10 games we are in with a good shout in the playoffs. Throw in 2 wins in 2 cup games and he will be invincible in his position, fail on both fronts and it will be inexcusable...
Promotion is the target, the Trophy is a vanity that will paper over the cracks of so many dropped points for lack of a single goal. But supporters need to see a team that is dominant and free-scoring. Tippy tappy will not sell tickets, a free scoring team will... Nobody talks about how wonderfully a team has defended, we pay to see goals and the more the better....goals are the adrenaline rush we queue up for, tippy tappy is the sedative for expectations. |  | | |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 11:24 - Mar 23 with 2065 views | TalkingSutty |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 11:12 - Mar 23 by James1980 |
It's not so much excuses but mitigation. The target being a play off place, with the points to play for and games in hand we can afford to drop points here and there and still achieve or just miss that aim. I think a more specific target of a play off semi final place or even final place would focus minds more [Post edited 23 Mar 11:14]
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Why not win the play offs? |  | | |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 11:32 - Mar 23 with 1992 views | 442Dale |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 11:24 - Mar 23 by 49thseason |
Thère is really nowhere to hide, JM has had a good budget, has an excellent training facility, and has been bringing in different players to cover injuries and to improve the squad, and yet....the likelihood is we will finish on about 72 points if we can maintain 1.5 points per game, it should have been many more....Essentially we now have a 10 game league season and if he can win 18+ points from 10 games we are in with a good shout in the playoffs. Throw in 2 wins in 2 cup games and he will be invincible in his position, fail on both fronts and it will be inexcusable...
Promotion is the target, the Trophy is a vanity that will paper over the cracks of so many dropped points for lack of a single goal. But supporters need to see a team that is dominant and free-scoring. Tippy tappy will not sell tickets, a free scoring team will... Nobody talks about how wonderfully a team has defended, we pay to see goals and the more the better....goals are the adrenaline rush we queue up for, tippy tappy is the sedative for expectations. |
So, with recent evidence taken into account, if we can play like we did during the run of four home wins (when we scored 10 goals) then there’s a recipe for success and a satisfaction within the fanbase? Excellent, we agree.
As long as we also accept there will sometimes be a poor run now and again. |  |
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| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 11:34 - Mar 23 with 1985 views | TalkingSutty |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 11:24 - Mar 23 by 49thseason |
Thère is really nowhere to hide, JM has had a good budget, has an excellent training facility, and has been bringing in different players to cover injuries and to improve the squad, and yet....the likelihood is we will finish on about 72 points if we can maintain 1.5 points per game, it should have been many more....Essentially we now have a 10 game league season and if he can win 18+ points from 10 games we are in with a good shout in the playoffs. Throw in 2 wins in 2 cup games and he will be invincible in his position, fail on both fronts and it will be inexcusable...
Promotion is the target, the Trophy is a vanity that will paper over the cracks of so many dropped points for lack of a single goal. But supporters need to see a team that is dominant and free-scoring. Tippy tappy will not sell tickets, a free scoring team will... Nobody talks about how wonderfully a team has defended, we pay to see goals and the more the better....goals are the adrenaline rush we queue up for, tippy tappy is the sedative for expectations. |
In answer to your question,my expectations are that we make the play offs and a glance at the league table tells you that we should accomplish that. Once in the play offs then as we all know, it's a lottery and anybody can beat each other on the day. If we get knocked out in the play offs then McNulty has achieved what he has set out to do. I think we have as much chance as any other team though when it comes to winning promotion because invariably the teams who you fancy in the play offs succumb to the pressures. It's a lottery. The aim is to win promotion within three years, we have a decent chance of achieving that in year one and that needs to be recognised. I'd be very surprised if McNulty completes the three year plan anyway, very surprised. [Post edited 23 Mar 11:40]
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| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 11:37 - Mar 23 with 1956 views | TVOS1907 |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 11:24 - Mar 23 by TalkingSutty |
Why not win the play offs? |
I think he means the minimum aim is to reach them, after which anything can happen.
We can't win them if we aren't in them! [Post edited 23 Mar 11:40]
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| If you don't know why your posts keep getting downvoted, there's no hope for you. |
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| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 11:42 - Mar 23 with 1934 views | TalkingSutty |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 11:37 - Mar 23 by TVOS1907 |
I think he means the minimum aim is to reach them, after which anything can happen.
We can't win them if we aren't in them! [Post edited 23 Mar 11:40]
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He said that a more specific target of a play off semi or final place would be more achievable...why not aim to win it rather than fail at the final hurdle. I dont understand that mindset. | | | |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 11:48 - Mar 23 with 1916 views | TVOS1907 |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 11:42 - Mar 23 by TalkingSutty |
He said that a more specific target of a play off semi or final place would be more achievable...why not aim to win it rather than fail at the final hurdle. I dont understand that mindset. |
Of course we would be aiming to win the play-offs, but we can't if we don't get there in the first place, which comes before the playing of them.
It's just semantics.
Any road, it doesn't really matter what someone's "aim" is. You usually just try to do your best in any facet of life; sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
My aim on The 1% Club was to win some money, but I ended up £16 down after paying for parking! As B*witched said, "C'est la vie"! [Post edited 23 Mar 11:59]
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| If you don't know why your posts keep getting downvoted, there's no hope for you. |
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| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 11:53 - Mar 23 with 1896 views | TalkingSutty |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 11:32 - Mar 23 by 442Dale |
So, with recent evidence taken into account, if we can play like we did during the run of four home wins (when we scored 10 goals) then there’s a recipe for success and a satisfaction within the fanbase? Excellent, we agree.
As long as we also accept there will sometimes be a poor run now and again. |
I think it's the manner of performances that causes the consternation. Yesterday was unacceptable, totally flat with no urgency just as McNulty admitted in his interview. We are now at the business end of the season and it's the managers job to get the players up for these games. It was his job to put the correct team on the pitch a few days earlier but he didn't and we lost to a team in the relegation places again. Doing the okey kokey with the captains armband this week is also the fall out from poor managerial decisions. The criticism McNulty receives is justified, in the past week he's destabilised a ship that was sailing serenely and put the equivalent of captain pugwash in charge who had barely kicked a ball all season and it showed. The boat consequently started sinking and we conceded four goals during his time on the pitch. There was no need to do it. [Post edited 23 Mar 12:18]
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| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 12:27 - Mar 23 with 1763 views | D_Alien |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 11:48 - Mar 23 by TVOS1907 |
Of course we would be aiming to win the play-offs, but we can't if we don't get there in the first place, which comes before the playing of them.
It's just semantics.
Any road, it doesn't really matter what someone's "aim" is. You usually just try to do your best in any facet of life; sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
My aim on The 1% Club was to win some money, but I ended up £16 down after paying for parking! As B*witched said, "C'est la vie"! [Post edited 23 Mar 11:59]
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Where did you park, on a double yellow?
And ended up in the red? |  |
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| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 12:43 - Mar 23 with 1710 views | TVOS1907 |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 12:27 - Mar 23 by D_Alien |
Where did you park, on a double yellow?
And ended up in the red? |
I might as well have done!
Media City or summat. It's not cheap. | |
| If you don't know why your posts keep getting downvoted, there's no hope for you. |
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| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 12:55 - Mar 23 with 1684 views | samueloneils |
Having watched absolute dross played yesterday, and for the first 70 minutes of the previous game, I have to admit for the first time in 60+ years as a devoted fan that I felt ashamed of my team yesterday. To see Hogan and Waller stood with their foot on the ball while the seconds were ticking away near the end proved how much urgency there was in the players.
Lets be honest, Maidenhead were a very poor team of part-timers. Even in Div 2 we were playing vastly better footballers. Jim has lost it. When Hendo went off the only spark was extinguished. He has scored 5 league goals from 4 league starts. Doesn`t that mean something? .Jim seems to be a very timid manager.
East and Gilmour no longer create very much and merely circulate the ball. I don`t think Mitchell won a single ball in the air, and very little on the ground either. He is not a No 9. Adu-Poku had a strong attacking game against Boston, far better than Tobi yesterday, and promptly got dropped. I think Jim is in a turmoil.
Wembley- would that be a good substitute for the playoffs.? If we get there of course I will go. The last time there was in 2008 when we lost 3-2 to Stockport in the playoff. I still hate the name Dickenson.
But it won`t compare for me with at least making the playoffs. |  | | |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 13:02 - Mar 23 with 1661 views | James1980 |
How does he go from 5 games unbeaten getting us one game from a cup final to losing it? | |
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| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 13:02 - Mar 23 with 1665 views | jonahwhereru |
So disappointed with yesterday. Not the result but that we gave them an easy game. Does JM posses a hairdryer, I doubt it.
On the main topic of the thread, the expectations for this season. I can’t put this a eloquently as Fitz but after finishing 16th last year, and with the same 3 forwards, same two in central midfield and the same centre half, I was thinking about 10th would be an acceptable improvement. We are in 7th and in a situation that every team below us and one above us, Gateshead would swop for. Not for the first time I will mention the objectives JM was set, bearing in mind this is a three year plan. There is no chance he was asked to get us promoted in first, or even a top 4 finish. 5th place is still achievable and the team have provided the hope of Wembley and a trophy. This despite the club’s infrastructure making life more difficult with postponements.
Outside of Barnet there isn’t a set of supporters that are not bemoaning points dropped or wasted opportunities, so I don’t want to hear that. That is football, ruthlessness is utopia.
By Jesus were we entertained with the run of three goals a game and not many points to show for it under BBM. The frustration of the fans then to now is incomparable. They were going mad
I don’t recall many on here suggesting anything less than a very solid play off position at the end of the season would represent failure, but please speak up if you did.
Where doing alright.
UTD | | | |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 13:06 - Mar 23 with 1656 views | Dalenet |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 12:55 - Mar 23 by samueloneils |
Having watched absolute dross played yesterday, and for the first 70 minutes of the previous game, I have to admit for the first time in 60+ years as a devoted fan that I felt ashamed of my team yesterday. To see Hogan and Waller stood with their foot on the ball while the seconds were ticking away near the end proved how much urgency there was in the players.
Lets be honest, Maidenhead were a very poor team of part-timers. Even in Div 2 we were playing vastly better footballers. Jim has lost it. When Hendo went off the only spark was extinguished. He has scored 5 league goals from 4 league starts. Doesn`t that mean something? .Jim seems to be a very timid manager.
East and Gilmour no longer create very much and merely circulate the ball. I don`t think Mitchell won a single ball in the air, and very little on the ground either. He is not a No 9. Adu-Poku had a strong attacking game against Boston, far better than Tobi yesterday, and promptly got dropped. I think Jim is in a turmoil.
Wembley- would that be a good substitute for the playoffs.? If we get there of course I will go. The last time there was in 2008 when we lost 3-2 to Stockport in the playoff. I still hate the name Dickenson.
But it won`t compare for me with at least making the playoffs. |
Did you miss the Tottenham game there? The snow blizzard and the farce of the VAR tests. Would love us to go again - would make up for the feeling of despondency after our slide from League One. | | | |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 13:14 - Mar 23 with 1623 views | samueloneils |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 11:23 - Mar 23 by fitzochris |
Having read through all the posts in this thread, I can see that there are some valid criticisms following what was a disappointing performance. The second half yesterday, in particular, was unacceptable for this group of players – I’m sure that’s something we can all agree on.
But what I’m genuinely keen to understand is what the broader fanbase expects from this team this season. Are we aiming for the league title? Or are second, third, or fourth place acceptable goals? I ask because, as I understand it, we’re still on track for the first year of a three-year plan, which is to compete for a play-off berth. There’s also the added bonus of potentially reaching a national cup final.
If we were languishing near the bottom of the table, I’d completely understand calls for a change of manager or head coach, as that would suggest we’re well off course. But we’re not in that position.
I keep hearing that this squad should be achieving much more. Again, I ask, what exactly are the expectations?
It’s worth remembering that these players are a combination of those making the transition to full-time football after coming from part-time clubs last season, or they’ve been released by higher-tier teams, or they’re academy players finding their way. They’re being moulded into a cohesive unit, and I believe the approach is similar to what Gateshead have done – building over time, rather than splashing out on expensive, high-profile players and hoping for immediate success. We’re also clearly lacking a consistent number nine and a target man (until Bird), which has been an issue all season. Some of the criticism suggests Mitchell and Rodney, two key players, haven’t contributed as much as we’d hoped. We can’t have it both ways – if we’re expecting more from the squad, those key individuals need to step up too.
Of course, this evolution hasn’t been perfect. We’ve ended up with too many similar players in the wide attacking positions, and yes, that’s something the head coach needs to take responsibility for. It would be interesting to hear his reasoning behind that, to be honest.
So, in my view, seventh place in the table is about right for this group. With a striker acquired in the summer – and the right one at that – I’d expect phase two of the three-year plan to aim for a top-three finish, with promotion being the goal for year three. I believe this is what McNulty is being judged on by the club’s owners. It might be helpful if the Ogdens outlined this plan to the supporters more clearly, as right now the three-year plan can be interpreted in various ways, as James has mentioned.
It’s also worth considering the impact of the pitch issues over December and January. That clearly disrupted momentum, and it wouldn’t be fair to overlook that considering the disruption and consternation among the support it caused at the time.
I understand the argument for entertainment and that this brand of football might not be for everyone. Personally, I’ve always prioritised results over thrills, and if we’d held on for a 1-0 win yesterday, I’d have been happy regardless of how it was achieved. I’ll always point out flaws match by match, as any fan would, but I try not to lose sight of the bigger picture. For example, I don’t mind how long we spend playing the ball in the first two-thirds of the pitch as long as we show urgency and intent when we get into the final third. Unfortunately, that’s been missing in a fair few games, including yesterday. I do find that frustrating, but I’ve only genuinely been concerned about this squad after the Barnet home game, where the team showed no identity, and it seemed like the players had given up. Thankfully, that hasn’t been the case before or since.
That said, I get that fans want both entertainment and results. If I could get that every week, I’d be happy too. The reality is, though, that we haven’t experienced that since Hill was in charge, and even before him, when we had Holt and Lambert up front. Historically, we haven’t been spoiled with exciting football at Dale.
It’s also ironic that some of those calling for a managerial change have suggested alternatives like Mike Williamson, who sets up his teams in exactly the same way McNulty does, and has failed in his previous two EFL appointments with that approach.
Graham Coughlan’s pragmatic style has worked at Boston, but that type of football is more suited to a backs-to-the-wall scenario. It’s not infallible, and I’m sure those who want entertainment would tire of it sooner or later.
Ultimately, McNulty is working towards a three-year plan to get us into the EFL. If he achieves that within the given timeframe, then he will have fulfilled his task. If not, he will be judged accordingly.
Whether he is the right man to lead us once we’re in the EFL is a separate conversation. But if he gets us there, he will have earned the right to try. |
You ask what are the fans` expectations.
I think the fans are expecting some improvement over the course of the season. We started well enough but there has been a decline in the second half so far- 30 points down to 27.
Surely you can see the quality of play is poor or at least dull, and it is no surprise attendances are static at best. Also I think the overall quality of the opposition I have seen is not as good as last season.
This is entirely Jim`s signed up team except for Hendo. And having survived the off-field horrors of last season , with a new contract under his belt and with a unique knowledge of the inner workings of the club over the last 5 seasons, Jim was in a unique position for a new manager. Most are pretty well thrown in at the deep end to resolve a crisis.
All of which IMO add to the fans expectations. | | | |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 13:28 - Mar 23 with 1566 views | samueloneils |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 13:02 - Mar 23 by James1980 |
How does he go from 5 games unbeaten getting us one game from a cup final to losing it? |
Lets be honest.
Dont you remember the Stockton game when we drew 0-0 and scraped through 4-3 on penalties?. We also beat Leamington and Worthing before a very creditable home win against Altrincham.
But hardly a march down Wembley lane And Spennymoor to come!
I have waited 60 years for my team to win anything, so this would be great if we can do it, but lets not kid ourselves. Jim has struggled with results increasingly, and doesnt seem to learn, even when he gets it right. So my comments that he has lost it. You can see it in the players. | | | |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 13:29 - Mar 23 with 1562 views | 442Dale |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 13:14 - Mar 23 by samueloneils |
You ask what are the fans` expectations.
I think the fans are expecting some improvement over the course of the season. We started well enough but there has been a decline in the second half so far- 30 points down to 27.
Surely you can see the quality of play is poor or at least dull, and it is no surprise attendances are static at best. Also I think the overall quality of the opposition I have seen is not as good as last season.
This is entirely Jim`s signed up team except for Hendo. And having survived the off-field horrors of last season , with a new contract under his belt and with a unique knowledge of the inner workings of the club over the last 5 seasons, Jim was in a unique position for a new manager. Most are pretty well thrown in at the deep end to resolve a crisis.
All of which IMO add to the fans expectations. |
Decline in the second half of the season based on those stats? Yep. It’s very minimal. But where were the posts three games ago after the four consecutive home wins, scoring goals in games that were a good watch?
After those 33 games we had gained 27 points in the first 16, 28 in the next 17. Again, minimal change. However, if we’d been discussing these stats ten days ago we’d have been saying how much we’d improved and how the team had developed with the introduction of a striker like Bird.
So a decline over the last three games? Yes. A decline over the season? Nope. Consistently inconsistent would be fairer. [Post edited 23 Mar 13:32]
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| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 13:30 - Mar 23 with 1552 views | James1980 |
Too late now but considering it would mean achieving 2nd, 3rd or winning the first round of play off matches, having secured one of the other 4 places, would a more specific target of semi final focussed minds a little more | |
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| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 13:41 - Mar 23 with 1503 views | TVOS1907 |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 13:02 - Mar 23 by jonahwhereru |
So disappointed with yesterday. Not the result but that we gave them an easy game. Does JM posses a hairdryer, I doubt it.
On the main topic of the thread, the expectations for this season. I can’t put this a eloquently as Fitz but after finishing 16th last year, and with the same 3 forwards, same two in central midfield and the same centre half, I was thinking about 10th would be an acceptable improvement. We are in 7th and in a situation that every team below us and one above us, Gateshead would swop for. Not for the first time I will mention the objectives JM was set, bearing in mind this is a three year plan. There is no chance he was asked to get us promoted in first, or even a top 4 finish. 5th place is still achievable and the team have provided the hope of Wembley and a trophy. This despite the club’s infrastructure making life more difficult with postponements.
Outside of Barnet there isn’t a set of supporters that are not bemoaning points dropped or wasted opportunities, so I don’t want to hear that. That is football, ruthlessness is utopia.
By Jesus were we entertained with the run of three goals a game and not many points to show for it under BBM. The frustration of the fans then to now is incomparable. They were going mad
I don’t recall many on here suggesting anything less than a very solid play off position at the end of the season would represent failure, but please speak up if you did.
Where doing alright.
UTD |
We finished 11th last year. | |
| If you don't know why your posts keep getting downvoted, there's no hope for you. |
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| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 13:48 - Mar 23 with 1451 views | samueloneils |
We have 10 games left, more than any other team. 5 at home: 5 away.
York-Aldershot-Eastleigh-Hartlepool-Fylde at home.
Woking-Solihull-Braintree-Sutton-Altrincham away.
The only teams there showing any great form are Aldershot and Braintree. 5 of the others have only won 1 of their last 6.
So reaching the 7th spot should be well achievable.
But how will Jim view it? | | | |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 14:03 - Mar 23 with 1398 views | jonahwhereru |
Ouch. Where in my mind did I grab 16th from. Slippery slope I’m on. | | | |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 15:45 - Mar 23 with 1215 views | 49thseason |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 13:48 - Mar 23 by samueloneils |
We have 10 games left, more than any other team. 5 at home: 5 away.
York-Aldershot-Eastleigh-Hartlepool-Fylde at home.
Woking-Solihull-Braintree-Sutton-Altrincham away.
The only teams there showing any great form are Aldershot and Braintree. 5 of the others have only won 1 of their last 6.
So reaching the 7th spot should be well achievable.
But how will Jim view it? |
Its a 10 game season, win 5 games at home and pick up 3-5 points away = 18-20 points and a playoff spot....No point is trying to defend our way to a point here and there, score twice per game and we are home and hosed....barring the type of stupid give-away goals we saw on Tuesday night....
https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/predicted
Their prediction is that we win 6 draw 3 lose 1 out of the last 10 games .. I sincerely hope they are right! | | | |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 16:33 - Mar 23 with 1105 views | TalkingSutty |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 15:45 - Mar 23 by 49thseason |
Its a 10 game season, win 5 games at home and pick up 3-5 points away = 18-20 points and a playoff spot....No point is trying to defend our way to a point here and there, score twice per game and we are home and hosed....barring the type of stupid give-away goals we saw on Tuesday night....
https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/league-table/predicted
Their prediction is that we win 6 draw 3 lose 1 out of the last 10 games .. I sincerely hope they are right! |
I think 70 points will get us in the play offs, so maybe only another 4 wins and one or two draws. The teams behind us would have to go at about two points/ game in their remaining games to get over 70 points and we have a superior goal difference over those behind us. Southend could do it but they have some tough games. A real key game for me is Altrincham away, avoiding defeat and hopefully winning could be crucial. It's all in our own hands anyway, we're in a good position if we can eliminate the sort of performances we've witnessed over the last two games, both against teams in the relegation zone. So i think 13 points from a possible 30 points on offer will be enough..surely we are capable of that aren't we, or is that expecting too much from McNulty and his players? 🤣 [Post edited 23 Mar 17:10]
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| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 16:41 - Mar 23 with 1045 views | D_Alien |
| Refwatch - Maidenhead United v Rochdale on 11:23 - Mar 23 by fitzochris |
Having read through all the posts in this thread, I can see that there are some valid criticisms following what was a disappointing performance. The second half yesterday, in particular, was unacceptable for this group of players – I’m sure that’s something we can all agree on.
But what I’m genuinely keen to understand is what the broader fanbase expects from this team this season. Are we aiming for the league title? Or are second, third, or fourth place acceptable goals? I ask because, as I understand it, we’re still on track for the first year of a three-year plan, which is to compete for a play-off berth. There’s also the added bonus of potentially reaching a national cup final.
If we were languishing near the bottom of the table, I’d completely understand calls for a change of manager or head coach, as that would suggest we’re well off course. But we’re not in that position.
I keep hearing that this squad should be achieving much more. Again, I ask, what exactly are the expectations?
It’s worth remembering that these players are a combination of those making the transition to full-time football after coming from part-time clubs last season, or they’ve been released by higher-tier teams, or they’re academy players finding their way. They’re being moulded into a cohesive unit, and I believe the approach is similar to what Gateshead have done – building over time, rather than splashing out on expensive, high-profile players and hoping for immediate success. We’re also clearly lacking a consistent number nine and a target man (until Bird), which has been an issue all season. Some of the criticism suggests Mitchell and Rodney, two key players, haven’t contributed as much as we’d hoped. We can’t have it both ways – if we’re expecting more from the squad, those key individuals need to step up too.
Of course, this evolution hasn’t been perfect. We’ve ended up with too many similar players in the wide attacking positions, and yes, that’s something the head coach needs to take responsibility for. It would be interesting to hear his reasoning behind that, to be honest.
So, in my view, seventh place in the table is about right for this group. With a striker acquired in the summer – and the right one at that – I’d expect phase two of the three-year plan to aim for a top-three finish, with promotion being the goal for year three. I believe this is what McNulty is being judged on by the club’s owners. It might be helpful if the Ogdens outlined this plan to the supporters more clearly, as right now the three-year plan can be interpreted in various ways, as James has mentioned.
It’s also worth considering the impact of the pitch issues over December and January. That clearly disrupted momentum, and it wouldn’t be fair to overlook that considering the disruption and consternation among the support it caused at the time.
I understand the argument for entertainment and that this brand of football might not be for everyone. Personally, I’ve always prioritised results over thrills, and if we’d held on for a 1-0 win yesterday, I’d have been happy regardless of how it was achieved. I’ll always point out flaws match by match, as any fan would, but I try not to lose sight of the bigger picture. For example, I don’t mind how long we spend playing the ball in the first two-thirds of the pitch as long as we show urgency and intent when we get into the final third. Unfortunately, that’s been missing in a fair few games, including yesterday. I do find that frustrating, but I’ve only genuinely been concerned about this squad after the Barnet home game, where the team showed no identity, and it seemed like the players had given up. Thankfully, that hasn’t been the case before or since.
That said, I get that fans want both entertainment and results. If I could get that every week, I’d be happy too. The reality is, though, that we haven’t experienced that since Hill was in charge, and even before him, when we had Holt and Lambert up front. Historically, we haven’t been spoiled with exciting football at Dale.
It’s also ironic that some of those calling for a managerial change have suggested alternatives like Mike Williamson, who sets up his teams in exactly the same way McNulty does, and has failed in his previous two EFL appointments with that approach.
Graham Coughlan’s pragmatic style has worked at Boston, but that type of football is more suited to a backs-to-the-wall scenario. It’s not infallible, and I’m sure those who want entertainment would tire of it sooner or later.
Ultimately, McNulty is working towards a three-year plan to get us into the EFL. If he achieves that within the given timeframe, then he will have fulfilled his task. If not, he will be judged accordingly.
Whether he is the right man to lead us once we’re in the EFL is a separate conversation. But if he gets us there, he will have earned the right to try. |
In terms of expectations, it's really very simple
The stated agenda is Project 5000. Winning a trophy and promotion back to the EFL will help with that, but once there, the crowd has to be grown. There's absolutely only one way to do that, and that's by playing the positive type of football that brings people through the gate irrespective of the last couple of results, because they can anticipate watching something against spending their time and cash elsewhere
In that regard, the manager is failing... or at least yet to show he can produce the kind of consistency that will grow crowds
If people turn up on the back of a couple of good results and we revert to the type of soulless game witnessed far too often under JM, they won't come back again for a long time, because they'll feel duped, in a "Same old Rochdale" kind of way. That's what we're up against, and it's my expectation for the manager to be seen to be moving towards fulfilling that agenda [Post edited 23 Mar 16:42]
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