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Reply | Sub keeper
at 13:45 27 Feb 2026
Which game was it? I doze off when it happens as it’s so tedious!
Best way to stop it is to bring in a rule where the players are not allowed within a set distance of the bench when there’s an injury. At the moment, clubs will continue to do it (and we seem to be one of the worst culprits in the games we’ve played) so putting something in place that makes them think twice would help. |
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Reply | Sub keeper
at 13:25 27 Feb 2026
I can’t recall an occasion when he’s looked to be injured after making the most of situations. It’s the boy who cried wolf though, one day it’ll happen and nobody will be concerned and we’ll be stuck.
It’s also quite amusing there doesn’t seem to be much criticism of the tactic amongst our fans, when in the past we’ve seen much wailing about the opposition breaking up the game doing similar. |
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Reply | Another one gone
at 13:21 27 Feb 2026
It was a good read that. It’s positive that we’re seeing the advantages of allowing a manager time, especially when it’s obvious they are continually progressing within a structure. Too many clubs react too quickly these days, and while it’s obvious you have to act when things are badly wrong (Bentley and Eyre for example), Dale are traditionally a club who are patient pays off.
This seems to be something the current regime buy into as well. No doubt they’ll have had Another clamouring for a change after the disappointments of last season, but as with any other business they’ll make decisions calmly. It’s paid off so far and if there are further disappointments it’ll be analysed properly again.
Keeping a calm head, much like Dunphy and co back after Hill’s two playoff campaigns fell short. |
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Reply | Sub keeper
at 13:13 27 Feb 2026
Yeah he’s been doing it all season long. Another example of teams across the game manipulating the rules to have a tactical break. It needs sorting so it no longer is allowed to happen.
Agree that we are taking too big a risk not having a keeper when we can have seven subs. |
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Reply | The Run in
at 21:35 25 Feb 2026
Especially when the manager (and his management team who are noted when we win) and the players more often than not get it right. |
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Reply | Beckwith Extends
at 21:24 25 Feb 2026
No and I don’t think we should, it’s more that it’s become a position that’s lacked some consistency.
Will stick to the opinion that as well as Moss has done in an unfamiliar role, with his own performances being very good, it limits our options when we go forward.
Don’t get what has happened to Tutonda unless he’s injured. He always looked a solid option off the bench who defended really well either at LCB or LWB. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale
at 20:37 25 Feb 2026
Having now watched the highlights, and not disagreeing with the general opinion and that of the manager that we were below par in the second half, yet again we created more than enough after the break to have the game won. Even before Smith’s goal that had the game won…
It’s been our Achilles heel for a long time. |
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Reply | Beckwith Extends
at 20:35 25 Feb 2026
That signing and the subsequent reappearance of Hosannah, disappearance and need to play Moss every game has been a noticeable, yet easily overlooked factor recently.
Add to that TAR’s injury issues, Allarakhia’s lack of game time and it is hard to argue that sorting out the wing back situation should be the no.1 priority.
Beckwith signing is great news though. Would be interesting to see if thought is given to playing him on Perry centrally if he returns before the end of the season should EEL need a break. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale
at 12:14 25 Feb 2026
That’s a good point about the possession. We didn’t retain it well enough. What was needed at 1-0 was a spell of us keeping the ball at the back. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale
at 00:03 25 Feb 2026
You said there were “ so many I would not even know where to start”, so it was requested that you do start and name some.
Maynard has been excellent at York, no doubt, but when he was dismissed after failing in the playoffs last season at Notts County, their statement said this:
“ While football is a game of fine margins, and Stuart undoubtedly faced numerous challenges over the course of the campaign, neither results nor performances reached the levels we believe the team was capable of - particularly during the defining period towards the end.”
Oh, and it was 2-2 v Lincoln. We should have got rid of Parkin then and saved Barnsley the trouble in making an approach. Edit: he’d already gone! Probably best, rubbish tactician. [Post edited 25 Feb 0:13]
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Reply | Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale
at 23:30 24 Feb 2026
Please don’t let this be misconstrued by some who think “fans are allowed a different opinion”. I’m fully respectful of that. In fact, I’d be as critical as anyone about the substitutions before the hour mark today. But to see the predictability of the targeting of a manager (thought it was the whole management team who had us winning every week anyway?) who whilst not perfect, has produced one of the most consistent Dale teams in the club’s history is, and this is not said lightly, laughable.
Be careful what you wish for. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale
at 23:16 24 Feb 2026
So you said all this when he was changing the side and making subs that did work? And you’d have said the same if we had seen the game out at 2-0 AFTER all the subs had been made?
Enlighten us, who would be the best manager when he’s director of football?
One who who would have succeeded in getting this squad to 79 points after 33 games this season. Presuming that isn’t enough.
As has been said for weeks, if fans want to destabilise this season, that’s on them. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale
at 23:07 24 Feb 2026
Excellent summary and great point about game management. After it went to 2-1 you could almost see the equaliser coming as we did not get the ball down and into their half. The pressure was hanging over the players and you could sense it.
As we kicked off at 2-1, Pettit was visibly trying to lift everyone around him. It’s as if they knew. The mentality which has been our strong point all season long was, for the first time, looking to have slipped a little.
We can all rightly talk about subs and selections, but tonight that game didn’t glean 3 points because we didn’t remain strong. Recognising that and getting back on track has to be the focus. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale
at 22:47 24 Feb 2026
Yeah, I do believe he’s overthought those subs tonight and hope he’s asked about why they were made so early.
Same with squad selection, a little bit of knowledge around the changes would make it more understandable.
But I’ll still argue that being over cautious didn’t cost us tonight. Defending did. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale
at 22:43 24 Feb 2026
Whilst not agreeing with the subs - as I’ve posted - we did go two up. We didn’t see the game out that was the issue.
The problem for me tonight was the subs were too early, but if we’d won 2-0 nothing much would have been said. Much like it hasn’t when subs have been made to see out games before. If anything the Smith sub saw us step up and finish the game off… except we didn’t.
Tonight was gutting. The feeling amongst everyone present was one of total deflation, especially as we saw the first signs of a team who can’t see out a win after months of doing just that. What it needs now is for fans not to doubt too much either, even if the natural reaction is to do so.
Have seen plenty of “bottling it” stuff on social media, including from Dale fans who think McNulty will always end up doing this. Funny, were they saying the same thing when Keith Hill lost in the playoffs two years running? Keep calm. The players didn’t for the first time tonight. But they can be excused that.
There are no excuses for supporters who have endured years of awful football/near misses/ the odd bit of success. Keep calm or impact one of the best seasons in the club’s history. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale
at 22:31 24 Feb 2026
Have to agree about Hosannah. Really don’t like pinpointing players who are obviously doing their best, but he looks so limited.
Still don’t understand how he has been in the squad recently over Tutonda. And today ahead of Allarakhia who can cover both flanks and the no.10. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Halifax Town v Rochdale
at 21:49 24 Feb 2026
All of a sudden we are conceding really sloppy goals and it’s costing us.
Got to think McNulty got it wrong before the carnage at the end as those subs were far too early. Even so the game was won at 2-0 and for the first time we’ve seen some tension at the back. If anything we looked calmer at 1-0.
We missed TAR after he went off and the assured play of Pritchard. |
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