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Reply | Craig Dawson! Why not???
at 18:38 13 Jan 2026
Thanks for that. Hopefully whatever path he takes he is successful and happy and has fond memories here! |
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Reply | Craig Dawson! Why not???
at 17:50 13 Jan 2026
They do indeed play in Different positions and it is a game of opinions after all.
Bryant looks a very good signing on paper, fast, tall, attack minded and was once very highly thought of. Let’s hope we agree on that one 😊 |
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Reply | Craig Dawson! Why not???
at 17:30 13 Jan 2026
I raised it as a reference to their playing positions. If we could get Craig at the same cost as say John until July would it be worthwhile in your opinion?
Its worth considering that if he signs for say Crewe, Altringham, Oldham or even Macclesfield, because his aim is to regain fitness by training whilst playing and doing his coach badges, I’m sure many would question how we never asked and how he ended up at one of the above. Asking does absolutely no harm! |
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Reply | Craig Dawson! Why not???
at 17:18 13 Jan 2026
If I knew, which I may or may not, what has that got to do with you or anyone else? I have not quoted a figure and nor would I regardless. |
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Reply | Craig Dawson! Why not???
at 16:33 13 Jan 2026
I said we should speak to him, see what he want and consider it, big difference.
Of course a lot would depend on fitness and the figure I quoted was just that, a figure. He might want to get fit at a club and town he knows, he might want pay as you play, he might want to do his coaching badges and play for less than we were paying Cameron John!
The point is, if he benefited the squad and kids with his professionalism, lifted the club and fans that we can attract a player of his quality, offered a huge threat up front from set pieces, added to the squad and playing staff on and off the pitch and added to the gate, what’s the issue?
Why would he not be worth a conversation? What is the down side of speaking to him? There isn’t one although some here would probably look at the negatives if Sylvester Stallone discovered his grandad was from Rochdale and wanted to invest 10 million no strings! |
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Reply | Craig Dawson! Why not???
at 14:32 13 Jan 2026
As I stated in the initial post and since, it’s not about money or we would have no chance anyway. Playing 3 5 2 Dawson is fine right side of the 3 and as cover for EEL.
Anyway looking at the loan signings it looks hugely unlikely now (even more than yesterday) so hopefully they bring a lot to the team and squad. |
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Reply | Craig Dawson! Why not???
at 14:28 13 Jan 2026
If he aided us get promoted on a deal until July it’s not money we can ill afford, what we can’t afford is to blow the chance of promotion when it’s only one automatic.
Loan players are not free, we have players on decent money, why would we not ask or at least consider the option? It’s not going to be about money anyway I would imagine so…..
As for bURY, it was far more than 1 player that led to their downfall as we all know! |
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Reply | Craig Dawson! Why not???
at 14:23 13 Jan 2026
No. I’m sure you could look at the Birmingham link and see the press, far from a rumour!
Can’t recall where I saw the Wrexham and Blackburn link but I have nothing to gain from making it up. |
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Reply | Craig Dawson! Why not???
at 10:31 13 Jan 2026
Does he fit the way we play? Yes, his passing is better than our current centre backs.
Is he as mobile as EEL? I would say similar but he hasn’t played for a while so I would say initially maybe not as match fit or up to speed.
I would not drop EEl, whilst Craig is a far better player I would not drop the captain, think Dawson would compliment him if anything.
Whilst he may not be the player he was we don’t know that, and I would say the likelihood is he would improve us immensely. It’s also not to be forgotten how dangerous he is in the opposition box. Obviously he isn’t a striker but chasing the game with 10 minutes to go he is very useful.
All I am saying is surely it’s worth having a chat with him, there is nothing to lose in doing that and potentially a lot to gain! |
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Reply | Craig Dawson! Why not???
at 09:59 13 Jan 2026
Numerous sources say he turned down Birmingham City including Nixon. Blackburn and Wrexham also rumoured to have tried to sign him.
Why it hasn’t happened I have no idea, maybe part of the deal with wolves is he has to repay part of pay off if he signs for another league club. 🤷♂️ |
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Reply | Craig Dawson! Why not???
at 09:56 13 Jan 2026
So if he was available you’re honestly saying you would not have him in the starting line up at centre back? He is way beyond anything we have available in that position. |
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Reply | Craig Dawson! Why not???
at 18:04 12 Jan 2026
Glad that my initial points have been taken as they were meant to be, it may be unlikely but then I guess it’s all dependent on Craig really. He is (or was) a huge Dale fan and he was on the pitch at about 15 celebrating when we got promoted.
With regards to him having to travel 4 times a week, I would doubt that would be necessary. Seem to recall in the past having players who did not train at all. Richard Jobson I’m pretty sure didn’t although that’s a while back, maybe a couple of times a week and match days would work fine. Knutsford is less than an hour away as well so not as if 8 or 9 hours a week and match day would be a huge burden, especially if tied in with coaching etc.
He could certainly get a better and bigger club than ours, he has had offers, maybe a couple of easy years before retirement and coaching or management would be attractive. And what better way to finish your career than taking the club that gave you your chance back into the football league, where we belong! |
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Thread | Craig Dawson! Why not???
at 10:14 12 Jan 2026
Ok so no doubt I will get a level of mockery for this but this isn’t as ridiculous as it seems.
So Craig is 36 in May and has not played a game since he was released from wolves in the summer. I assume he received a decent pay off an has turned down a few championship clubs it’s been rumoured, and I guess financially he is in a place where he would never have to play again.
So assuming he would even consider coming back to the club he started at, supports, loves and (I believe) one of his drivers is to be nearer his family, why would we not approach him?
So, as we can assume money is not his main driver, what would his worth be? Personally I think his signing alone would add 100 plus to gate receipts, we could probably expect 6 - 8 goals and the sort of defensive stability, quality, experience and more points, we are still vulnerable at set pieces as we have been for years! Would this guarantee promotion, of course not but it would be a huge benefit to th squad and would certainly increase our chances, and I believe that’s worth about 2 million quid.
So what’s in it for Craig? Hometown club that he supports, getting us back to where we belong, guaranteed start and fitness, near home, coaching role and help with badges, potential management role in the future, Shop window all be it at a low level, more wages that he is currently getting! Most of all though it would be to help the club.
Is he worth £10k a week, if he even wanted that? £230k on deal until summer? I really hope this has been considered and he has been spoken to. I don’t know Craig so may be miles off in his thoughts about the club and his future aims and plans, I’m sure some on here know him well and might laugh, but there should have been a conversation at very least.
I await the laughter 😆 |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 20:54 30 Dec 2025
Cheers for the insight. As I say I’m not there so relying on what they are saying.
Fingers crossed we improve second half!
Prichard off for Gavin but formation wise no idea! |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 20:45 30 Dec 2025
I'm Just going off what’s being said which is pretty decent and not particularly partisan commentary. They are shocked how bad we look. They put a lot down to them pressing and playing 3 up front and that we are pedestrian. Also saying how much we miss mani as an outlet.
Hopefully we can play as we can second half with urgency, as it seems woefully like a top of the table team that have won 7 in a row! |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 20:36 30 Dec 2025
Radio Tees “There’s a time and a place to play around at the back and Rochdale are playing into Pools hands by messing around”
Interesting that they are playing 3 up front for the first time under featherstone, clearly they have seen our p1ss about at the back tactics! Also funny to hear someone shout your fcking clueless Jim come through clearly!
There’s times i honestly think we are doing well inspite of Jim not because of him! |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 22:02 29 Dec 2025
Does anyone know if Accrington was our first choice of venue and why Accrington were happy to help us out? Obviously we should be very grateful regardless but is it down to a good relationship between the clubs, financial or a bit of both?
I assumed Oldham would have been the first choice or maybe even bURY (if giggle is up to it) or maybe even Bolton. As I said above we should be grateful just wondered how the decision was made. |
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Reply | It's monsoon night...
at 01:21 28 Sep 2025
Since we know the drainage is shite all around and on The pitch, has anyone though of slanting the covers and elevating them so the water goes to basically a big hose that goes down the hill near the Radcliffe or if that’s unsafe a suitable sewer outlet. Seems pretty simple to me if that’s the issue! |
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Reply | Former director?
at 14:39 3 Sep 2025
Yes, but he may still be involved in our accounts! |
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