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Reply | Refwatch - Altrincham v Rochdale
at 12:22 21 Dec 2025
Whilst fans are naturally attached to their club, the way in which pro footballers and managers (with very, very few exceptions) manipulate this attachment is a sight to behold... for those with eyes to see. Kissing badges? Kiss my arse
That's not to say JM doesn't feel an affinity with the club, of course he does, but as TS says, he has a higher loyalty to his career and his loved ones
Promotion will have hugely beneficial effects for him, whether he's persuaded to stay or not. You can't "undo" that achievement... but it ain't happened yet, as you rightly point out |
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Reply | Th'Ashes Down Under
at 11:43 21 Dec 2025
Lined up for the captaincy, too...
If he spends the rest of his career making amends for tossing his early promise away like a bat to midwicket, he might just retrieve something, but to do that you need a brain [Post edited 21 Dec 11:46]
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Reply | Th'Ashes Down Under
at 04:09 21 Dec 2025
Even that record-breaking target was doable
..but not by this side
Credit to the Aussies. I honestly think if the positions had been reversed, they'd have made it, just by cutting out the mindless shots
[Post edited 21 Dec 9:19]
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Reply | Refwatch - Altrincham v Rochdale
at 00:00 21 Dec 2025
Think TS was referring to players being picked up from York and Carlisle, not Dale
[Post edited 21 Dec 0:02]
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Reply | Refwatch - Altrincham v Rochdale
at 20:36 20 Dec 2025
After last night, there's the distinct possibility that we'll just get better too
I certainly hope that's how the mindset is working behind the scenes. The competition for places is now just about as intense as i've seen at Dale, so managing the squad is a huge factor which, on the evidence of last night, is what we're doing. Having the two experienced pros alongside him is vital since it's not something that the manager can do alone; different players may respond to different voices, providing the messaging is consistent |
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Reply | Refwatch - Altrincham v Rochdale
at 20:00 20 Dec 2025
Given our respective points-per-game, it'll take us having a bad patch for anyone to finish above us |
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Reply | Th'Ashes Down Under
at 01:14 20 Dec 2025
So... England to chase a test record 435
No real time pressure, just normal test batting but on a wearing pitch
Not expecting anything except for them to fight and at least take the game into a fifth day |
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Reply | Refwatch - Altrincham v Rochdale
at 22:13 19 Dec 2025
Absolutely, and why it's important not to overreact to individual games. The main thing is Daleys celebrating tonight, ahead of Christmas
I'll wish one and all a good one, even those with jerky knees |
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Reply | Refwatch - Altrincham v Rochdale
at 22:00 19 Dec 2025
I sincerely hope that the coaching team don't aim for anything other than our own form dictating our final position
Actually, it's more than a hope, it's based on the way in which those around McNulty have gone about their careers, and why i give credit to McNulty for recruiting them |
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Reply | Refwatch - Altrincham v Rochdale
at 21:45 19 Dec 2025
The difference between this season and last is clear: the coaching team he's built around him
Plaudits to McNulty for that, and the result is there for all to see tonight |
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Reply | Refwatch - Altrincham v Rochdale
at 20:38 19 Dec 2025
This is what i was referring to earlier about time on the training ground working for the squad as a whole
That's the whole point, and we're seeing it in action
Kudos to McNulty, Taylor, Done and Hendo |
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Reply | Refwatch - Altrincham v Rochdale
at 19:24 19 Dec 2025
Chance for Hendo to take up the baton of leadership
No reason to think we shouldn't have enough to gain points from this game, if the work on the training ground comes through in the way everyone in the squad knows what to do |
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Reply | Th'Ashes Down Under
at 01:13 19 Dec 2025
Exactly this
At some point, we'll be chasing a highly unlikely total to remain in contention. We'll almost certainly fail to get there, but the manner in which we fight is now the most important thing that remains in this series |
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Reply | Th'Ashes Down Under
at 11:32 18 Dec 2025
You make a good point there, about the psychology of at least some in our batting lineup
Since the start of the Bazball era, they've been indulged, encouraged to go out and express themselves unencumbered by fear of failure. For quite a while, it worked and helped drag the team up from a low ebb. There's no lack of talent but the day to day grind of combat has been removed from their locker, leaving it... if not empty then deficient in the hard-headedness and sheer bloody determination required in a series such as the Ashes
They were offered "clarity" at the crease which is fine (essential even) except when something different other than "take the game to the opposition" is needed. Now, they're batting like they've been duped, sold a fairytale, and bereft of the psychological strength to do much about it in the face of the usual Aussie attitude. i.e. win at all costs |
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Reply | Th'Ashes Down Under
at 18:08 17 Dec 2025
It's already been demonstrated to be at fault. There's no precedent for having a "snick" recorded prior to contact with bat or pad, therefore the sound and visual tech were misaligned. Carey admits he thought there was contact with his bat
Overall, England aren't in a bad position despite that error and of course the Brook drop of Khawaja on 5 (out 77 runs later)
I said before the 2nd test that Brook owes the team, and himself. He absolutely does now and to be fair he's made comments about reining himself in
On the positive side, some great catches in the covers and the spirit seems high. Last chance saloon might just concentrate a few minds |
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Reply | Pitch video
at 12:04 17 Dec 2025
Correct TS
The Ogdens are capable of accessing the required expertise
Neither 'hope' nor 'heroics' required, just professionalism |
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Reply | Pitch video
at 09:53 16 Dec 2025
Unable to attend last night, so thanks for the insight around the pitch issue
You emphasise the professionalism.of those involved, both in the hiring of the experts and the pitch people carrying out the work
Thank goodness we have intelligence applied to this matter, rather than the crass stupidity of the past, which unfortunately still lingers in certain pockets of the fanbase [Post edited 16 Dec 9:54]
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Reply | Pitch video
at 17:33 15 Dec 2025
My many residencies obviously include your head |
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Reply | Refwatch - Leamington v Rochdale (FA Trophy)
at 09:13 15 Dec 2025
How does that compare with their attendances in the NL?
How many might have turned up at COA if we'd hosted the Leamington fixture?
Not asking you specifically, just musing on the nature of the fixture, which no doubt Gateshead fans did, just a couple of weeks before the expense of Christmas |
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