 | Forum
Thread | Joe Pritchard
at 17:04 27 Nov 2025
Could I recommend you watch the Pritchard injury video on the website.
We criticise players too easily sometimes. Like many others I liked the look of him before the injury, but the video shows how hard it can be.
Here is a 29 year old pro footballer who started the year with MKDons, left by mutual consent in January, Helped Oldham out till the end of the season but no new contract, joined us on a 1year deal, started 3 league games and then was injured tackling back.
With light training after several weeks on crutches no doubt trying to keep his spirits up.
Pro football is no bed of roses. |
| Forum
Reply | Refwatch - Tamworth v Rochdale
at 14:19 24 Nov 2025
I thought the result at Tamworth was good in the circumstances- weather, pitch, absence of Rodney and ignoring Hendo. Plenty of effort.
The fact is that we don`t have any other real goalscorers.
East, Gilmour, Allarakhia, Tobi, McBride have no record or suggestion of scoring more than a handful of goals between them. Certainly not in the mould of Lund, Sinclair or Keohane. The loss of Tyler Smith is unfortunate, but we really need more power backup up front. |
| Forum
Reply | Dale v Man Utd under 21s
at 22:22 30 Oct 2025
The thing about Amantchi is that he goes back to Walsall at Christmas anyway, so there is so little time and so few outings for him to improve. I think we will need another signing in the second half of the season. |
| Forum
Reply | Refwatch - Woking v Rochdale
at 18:06 27 Oct 2025
They did have good chances, but they didn`t really put full pressure on the defence until the subs came on, particularly Allarrakia. |
| Forum
Reply | FA Cup 4th Q- York City (H) 11th Oct -Match Thread
at 11:04 12 Oct 2025
Who was the 7th sub yesterday?
The website says East subbed himself, but who apart from the following?
Moss, Gomez M, McBride, Tyler Smith and Amantchi
With Pettit and Burger not used. |
| Forum
Reply | Refwatch - Forest Green Rovers v Rochdale
at 11:11 5 Oct 2025
Bercoe is only on loan til December. Salford are 5th in Div2 though lost the last 2 games. Could we sign him or at least extend the loan? He would be an excellent addition to the squad. |
| Forum
Reply | Refwatch - Forest Green Rovers v Rochdale
at 11:01 5 Oct 2025
The thing I notice most is that several "partnerships" are emerging in this team.
Whatmuff & EEL
Gordon &Tobi
Beckwith & Berkoe
East & Gilmour
Mani & Rodney
Even McBride & Barlow though rivals for the same role.
These can only come through a good blend of skills and mutual understanding of each person`s game. All wrapped up in a successful team performance. Even with Tobi missing, Moss stepped in well.
I think the skipper has been outstanding this season. I lost count of how many corners he faced yesterday, but he was instrumental in clearing most and that in a packed penalty area. Still don`t like all 11 back.
A word for Bercoe, whose positional play was excellent throughout and he does get forward well.
Mani was well held, but I don`t think he will meet any better Centre Halfs than Ryan Inniss, all 6`6" of him. FGR badly lacking attacking strength. |
| Forum
Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town
at 10:55 3 Oct 2025
Ethan E-L is 32 years old and in my opinion is playing the best football since his Shrewsbury days.
Devante Rodney is 27 years old and again is playing his best football since he came to us.
Does this make them so important that they need to be treated as fragile?
They are seasoned professional footballers playing at the height of their skills in a successful side. They both have had fitness issues but I feel sure they want to play every minute.
Hendo is 40 and Mani Dieseruvwe is 30 years old, and he is certainly playing his best ever football. Surely none of them need to be wrapped in cotton wool so early in the season.
I accept Jim sees them every day, but with the substitutes we now have in the squad, he can afford to ease them during a game if necessary. |
| Forum
Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town
at 14:55 2 Oct 2025
You are right to mention the pitch problem.
We should be fighting for every point before the weather worsens. We`re already 1 match behind. How will Jim go on if we end up with more postponents meaning he has to play even more midweek matches? How will that affect players who already need to be rested -apparently? |
| Forum
Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v FC Halifax Town
at 10:46 2 Oct 2025
If you follow Jim`s reasoning after the match, and accepting his judgement on the Rodney situation, surely the sensible thing would have been to start with his best 11 from the previous game and make any changes to that in the second half.
Manni and Dev complement each other so well. I can`t recall such a perfect pairing for quite some time. Handling both strikers with very different attributes will always be a problem for any defence.
By the second half hopefully we would be in front, particularly against a mid table team like Halifax . and then try the 2 number ten`s or whatever formation justified the scoreline.
As already reported here, we have now given away 6 points by not playing our strongest lineup. I think he is now suffering from the surplus of midfielders, as predicted by several of us, whereas what we needed was defenders or attackers. Amantchi has been very disappointing but at least is only on loan.
I have watched all the top title contenders now thanks to DAZN. I think we are the best team, though I still expect York to be the main threat. We must push on with points. Forget the long term, Jim. Take a match at a time. |
| Forum
Reply | Refwatch - Carlisle United v Rochdale
at 16:58 26 Sep 2025
There is no need for Jim to go for defence against Carlisle.
Gordon and Beckwith will need to keep a tight grip on Linney and Armstrong in the early stages but we are a good attacking side now and with Manni, Rodney and McBride and with the new Eastie pushing forward we should be able to score goals. It will be intimidating-they took 1500 to York and they will be smarting.
York frankly took them to the cleaners with measured skillful play, but they will be a different team at home with something to prove. |
| Forum
Reply | NL Cup v Blackburn u21s
at 14:53 18 Sep 2025
I meant Amanctchi`s attitude as he walked off the pitch. Must have been one of the slowest walks for a 6`3 athlete ever. Clearly wasn`t happy and quite prepared to show it. |
| Forum
Reply | NL Cup v Blackburn u21s
at 09:51 18 Sep 2025
I notice the Walsall manager has said he is not happy with Amantchi`s minutes. Unless he pulls off a sterling display on Saturday, maybe action is required along the lines you suggest. Jim is sensitive to his players` attitude and can`t be too impressed. |
| Forum
Reply | NL Cup v Blackburn u21s
at 11:12 17 Sep 2025
Of the 8 players fighting for a first team slot, excepting Myles and Hogan who have very specific support roles and the 2 injured players, this is how I see it from performances to date.
Good so far. McBride, Moss.
OK. Pettit, Burger, Humbles, Gomez-Mancini(may be injured), Griffiths
Not proven. Amantchi
I would say McBride with 3 goals from 2 starts may be pushing Barlow (1 goal in 6 starts) for his position as a backup striker.
From his body language last night when subbed by a 40 year-old Hendo he was not happy. However Hendo did more in his brief appearance than Amantchi in the rest of the match. He reminded me of Mitchell at the end of last season when he didn`t want to be here.
Berkoe looks an ample replacement, but maybe not a central defender. Could push Allarakia. |
| Forum
Reply | Henderson
at 09:50 16 Sep 2025
I think "attack is the best means of defence" is not in Jim`s playbook. |
| Forum
Reply | Refwatch - Truro City v Rochdale
at 16:52 15 Sep 2025
Watched the full match replay on Dazn, We were poor against a very poor team who had no real attack.
Mani and Rodney were well controlled throughout. Tobi and Allarackia produced nothing worthwhile, the defence held out well particularly against the wind in the last half hour.
Where was the passing game, esp in the first half?
The only players passing forward were EEL and Whatmuff. Ryan East ???
When the subs came on-too late- they showed some life.
Feel sorry for the travelling fans. But what the hell- 3 points I suppose. It did look a dubious goal from the angle I saw. |
| Forum
Thread | Goalkeeping
at 10:19 15 Sep 2025
Is it wise to have no second keeper in the matchday squad? Worked out so far during most of last season and every league match so far.
What would happen if Whatmuff was injured during a match? |
| Forum
Reply | Henderson
at 10:15 15 Sep 2025
Far too good to be a bit part player.
If he needs to be used as a sub due to his years, fair enough, though he looks as fit as anyone to me.
He will be needed for sure when Amantchi goes back at New Year, if he stays that long. |
| | samueloneils
|
Site Scores| Prediction League: | 0 | | TOTAL: | 0 |
|
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.