I do not associate much joy with playing Rochdale and records show that recently we have had to play them more often than seems fair. Meeting them in cup competitions is the problem. There is always hope of drawing an attractive team, but when we get Rochdale as we have quite often recently, the excitement and optimism wains if not dies.
So, the prospect of Rochdale (Away) is just about as depressing a fixture as there is for me. Somehow even beating them brings not joy, only relief. It is bad enough to have to play at Rochdale and even a draw is almost painful. I suppose it stems from the combination of grey -wet - industrial mill- town and ... Lancashire. It’s probably the same feeling as losing at most places west of the Pennines.
Anyway, on a more rational note, after 6 years Keith Hill was sacked last March and now they have a new manager who kept them up and has produced a winning start this season at Tranmere. And with those Rovers obviously fired up and confident from their play-off success it was not an easy assignment, but yet they seemingly out-played the home team. 60%+ possession, 17 fouls and 3 shots on target providing 3 goals suggests decisive application and determined defence in achieving their 3-2 win.
Since then they have signed a Blackburn defender on loan prompting a hail of Rovers’ fans objections similar to those when Downing came here; so, he is well thought of and no doubt will strengthen a squad which they have already made more powerful with summer signings.
With our Rovers still in development mode and without a Marquis replacement, predicting a win would be optimistic, so I am hoping that we might avoid defeat. Thus, I will say 1-1 and May with the first goal.
DPL vs Rochdale
posted on 13/8/19
Correct hound.....but quality
posted on 14/8/19
Don, don’t fall into the trap f believing the bbc stats.
24 shots is correct but three in target isn’t.
Shots that are blocked by defenders or hit the woodwork are not counted as being on target, even if a shot is blocked on the line as the Ennis one was late on in the game.
Only shots that are saved by the keeper count in the on target stats.
posted on 14/8/19
The emotional cycle of a Rovers supporter. Excitment, anticipation, impatience, frustration, anger , depression. This can be over a season or cycle several times a season. Im at the impatience stage.
posted on 14/8/19
Yes hound I remember the good old days of crowds of less than a thousand, King Kerry as manager but Richardson picking the team. Difference is everybody knew we were going down with a bent xxxxxxx in charge of our club. On this form we're looking more likely to be going out this league, unfortunately it's the wrong way.
This is a different type of board, we are in a different time, Gav the man is the board spokesperson, it's no good coming out spouting we want to go for promotion, we're not just going to get in the championship, we're going to have some fun when we get there.
It's no good trying to get promotion with a team full of loans, it won't work. The person I feel sorry for is Moore, he was promised all sorts yet has been left high n dry by the board. This striker is coming, that striker is on the radar, we've agreed terms with two clubs and just sorting out personal terms. Nothing. It looks like were going for a 17yr old striker from Rangers, according to the latest hype.
As for last night, should of had double figures against a team of reserves from Grimsby, Sadlier alone had 4 shots on target, so dont pay any attention to the BBC.
posted on 14/8/19
Funnily enough I do understand how the stats are compiled and that there is a degree of subjectivity to it all. I am not content with how things are looking and I have made my case. There are always other perspectives and interpretations but what I am seeing does not encourage me.
posted on 14/8/19
DM says Dont blame the strikers
We have players here to score goals for us.
Worrying?
posted on 16/8/19
Another loan player, at least this one is a striker. Big hopes for him, but, its another loan. Will we ever buy a striker or any player for that matter. All this is doing is making next season a copy of this, we will need to be looking at getting 6/7 players again come close season.
Dont get me wrong, once these players gell, I think we will storm this league, as these players will be worth millions to their clubs. Just seems like were a club that's developing players for their parent club and not promoting our own youngsters. Just another thing that Gav Baldwin said we were going to do, but doesn't now, look likely.
posted on 16/8/19
Its quite a sensible low risk , lowish cost strategy bringing in high potential loanees. We could burn all the Marquis money and not end up getting value. Most teams shuffle the pack at the end of the season anyway. If we did get promoted this year wed need to shuffle the pack anyway. Having said that its only through development of our own players that potentially gets us more money to spend. Theres got to be a Happy medium somewhere. Maybe he could tell us what our future is?😁
posted on 16/8/19
Weve had Kane now we ve got Sterling. What other current England players might we get? His scoring record over his short prefessional career is quite impressive albeit at junior level . He only ever came on as a sub for Sunderland. Im tipping him for 16-20 goals for us .
posted on 16/8/19
Well nookie, Donaldo posted three days ago that Harry Kane could be going out on loan and possibly to Portsmouth so there is still a chance we might get another England player.
On the subject of loans though, clubs like ours inevitably have to take advantage of the loan system to be able to survive and compete.
Sometimes it works heavily in our favour like with Herbie and Mallik last season.
Sometimes too the players we loaned became our contracted players, people like Mason and Whiteman recently and people like Sullivan and a Sharp in the past so it isn’t always a negative move.