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Reply | The Fitzture List - Rochdale Rising: Inside McNulty’s push for sustainable suc
at 16:15 3 Jan 2026
We do have a lot of players for the No.10 role and some players (not just in that role), really haven’t troubled the starting 11 enough. It probably does need a mid-season review and I expect that is happening.
As to Amantchi, he probably did tick all the boxes but no signing comes with a cast-iron guarantee of success. Amantchi could easily have been another Jay Bird but, for whatever reason, he hasn’t cut it and his minutes have been limited.
All the more reason to make whoever comes in next has as little risk of a repeat as possible. |
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Reply | The Fitzture List - Rochdale Rising: Inside McNulty’s push for sustainable suc
at 15:23 3 Jan 2026
I posted all this on another thread re the No.9 spot, so will amalgamate into one here.
It has to be the right player who comes in, and when we’re talking about doing that without paying a transfer fee, the market becomes extremely difficult, especially in January. That’s true for any position, but it’s even more so when you’re looking for a centre forward.
McNulty is clearly more than aware that we need a replacement for Amantchi, and not just that, cover for Mani D while he’s injured also. However, finding the right player isn’t something that can be rushed. We know from McNulty’s interview at the start of the season that recruitment for him isn’t solely about ability; character and fit within the squad matter just as much. That inevitably narrows the pool and makes the process slower.
For those reasons, I’m confident we will see an addition before too long, but it’s understandable why it hasn’t happened instantly.
I also agree with the point about how important the role is (my latest blog post makes much the same argument). Where I think context is important, though, is in acknowledging how McNulty’s system works. He plays with a single No.9. That means anyone who isn’t first choice is likely to spend a lot of time on the bench. When you don’t have significant money to throw at players, it’s a tough sell to convince someone to come in knowing they’ll probably be playing second fiddle.
Yes, you can talk about competition for places, but that’s already a hard enough conversation in positions where there are multiple spots available on the pitch. The situation with Casey Pettit is a good example of how difficult that balance can be.
Ultimately, I’ll reiterate the main point from my original post: it’s not easy to find a player who does all the No.9 things well, fits the system, has the right character, and is willing to accept the role on offer. That’s why patience is probably required here. |
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Reply | The Fitzture List - Rochdale Rising: Inside McNulty’s push for sustainable suc
at 12:47 3 Jan 2026
I think, in a game not seen to be as important as our league fixtures this season, it would be the ideal chance to try something like you suggested, with the personnel you named too. I take on board the various caveats about the pitch, but if those players are available, I would have no qualms seeing it trialled with the option to change it mid-match, as you highlighted.
There is always the option to try it with first XI personnel in the future, if the experiment proved useful.
Away from formations, I would be hopeful to see Whatmuff, Allarakhia and a new forward in situ for our next league fixture. I’m a little more pessimistic about Mani D, as it seemed Jim put an “at least a month” prognosis on his injury. |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 09:06 3 Jan 2026
Interesting to see the “front three” in the drill on this training video. By the time we play again, we may well have an addition here, however:
[Post edited 3 Jan 9:10]
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 00:06 1 Jan 2026
I’m not saying it’s an unfair question, hence why I asked one of my own.
I agree with what you say in terms of the importance of the role (my latest blog post basically says the same thing). My point is that McNulty’s system uses just one no.9 on the field. That means anyone not first choice is getting splinters. It’s a difficult ask when you’ve not got tons of cash to chuck at players, to find someone who knows they’ll be playing second fiddle. Yes, you can encourage competition but it’s already tough for positions where there are more places on the field in that role. Look at Casey Pettit, for example.
See 442s post about how McNulty has evolved the No.9 spot over his tenure. I reiterate the point from my original post, though. It’s not easy to find a player that does all the No.9 things well. |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 21:56 31 Dec 2025
Why does he have a blind spot? It’s got to be the right player that is brought in and, without paying a transfer fee, the market, especially in January, is difficult for any position, let alone centre forward.
I’m not saying you think this at all, but there is definitely a perception outside the club that we’ve spent big on the squad this season. We haven’t, other than perhaps pushing the boat out on one or two players only.
The budget was not the best in the league and McNulty made decisions on how to best spread that to build a squad. Some raised eyebrows at the risk he took with the goalkeeper in order to use budget elsewhere, for example, but that has paid off.
By and large, McNulty and co’s recruitment has been excellent given we aren’t paying transfer fees.
He is more than aware we need a replacement for Amantchi and, not just that, cover for Mani D’s injury also. Finding the right player takes time and we know from his interview at the start of the season that the right player isn’t just down to ability, but character also.
I’m sure we will have an addition before long. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Altrincham v Rochdale
at 21:40 19 Dec 2025
Well done Jim McNulty. A squad now feeling injuries to key players but still producing performances and results like that. Still a long way to go but, at this stage, full plaudits to the head coach. |
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Reply | Medal for Tanser
at 20:58 14 Dec 2025
He has also won the trophy with St Johnstone. |
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Reply | INJURIES
at 15:41 7 Dec 2025
While the injury list is a concern, Smith, Whatmuff, Rodney and Beckwith all picked up their injuries in a match rather than anything training related. |
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