| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday 17:22 - Oct 31 with 34519 views | YouTubeDale |
Just noticed that York have recalled goalkeeper Rory Watson loaned out to Scunthorpe. He played in their last game beating Aldershot.
Interesting that Scunthorpe play in the FA Cup tomorrow away to Blackpool. We should be rested more perhaps giving us an edge.
Every little helps. [Post edited 31 Oct 17:23]
|  |
| |  |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 19:55 - Nov 4 with 3114 views | 442Dale |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 19:44 - Nov 4 by dingdangblue |
Another option would be playing Hartlepool away on 30th December and home on Mon 6th April (switching the fixtures), obviously we can't do that with Brackley. |
Good shout. What this illustrates is there are are obvious options if the inclination is to make a proper effort to remedy the problem.
If nothing else, it will show Dale fans and the footballing world we are just sitting back and praying it doesn’t rain. |  |
| |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 20:14 - Nov 4 with 3017 views | TVOS1907 |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 19:47 - Nov 4 by EllDale |
The NL have already allowed a precedent with this type of swap earlier in the season with Halifax and Wealdstone. |
Just waiting for NailsDale to come and tell us the same happened to Forest Green last season, although in each case, both clubs had new pitches after extensive summer work. |  |
| You mean you STILL haven't worked out why some posts get down-ticked? |
| |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 20:33 - Nov 4 with 2915 views | Clivert |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 19:08 - Nov 4 by 442Dale |
Looking at the current fixtures as they stand and ignoring the fact we have to rearrange Scunthorpe for a moment, there is an almost 8 week period where we only have two home league games scheduled at present.
After 29/11 v Eastleigh
30/12 Hartlepool
3/1 Brackley
24/1 Truro
So can any significant work be done on the pitch between 30/11 and 23/1 which will ensure we can complete the rest of the season with minimal issues? If the answer to that is yes, then we would only need to play two home games (Hartlepool and Brackley) at another ground.
That 55 day window could be increased to 66 days if we played Eastleigh elsewhere too. The Everton NL Cup tie would need switching as well and we’d have to ask for away ties in the Trophy if that’s allowed. [Post edited 4 Nov 19:09]
|
There's a decent time frame in there to try and do something about this massive problem that we have with the pitch, I'm pretty sure that The Ogdens and powers that be at the club will be trying to put some kind of plan together to get us through the season.
I'd even consider pulling out of the 'Tinpot Cup', the photo on the O/S showing the puddle was the area of the pitch that gradually got worse during the downpour at Man Utd game last week. |  | | |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 20:39 - Nov 4 with 2882 views | 442Dale |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 20:33 - Nov 4 by Clivert |
There's a decent time frame in there to try and do something about this massive problem that we have with the pitch, I'm pretty sure that The Ogdens and powers that be at the club will be trying to put some kind of plan together to get us through the season.
I'd even consider pulling out of the 'Tinpot Cup', the photo on the O/S showing the puddle was the area of the pitch that gradually got worse during the downpour at Man Utd game last week. |
What was worrying about that picture is that it’s outside the centre circle on the opposite side to where there were issues last season. Not sure which areas are deemed the most concerning now. | |
| |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 21:22 - Nov 4 with 2709 views | Clivert |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 20:39 - Nov 4 by 442Dale |
What was worrying about that picture is that it’s outside the centre circle on the opposite side to where there were issues last season. Not sure which areas are deemed the most concerning now. |
That was my concern when I noticed it last Tuesday. Historically The Main Stand side of the pitch has always been the problem. | | | |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 22:11 - Nov 4 with 2517 views | rafc1977 |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 20:33 - Nov 4 by Clivert |
There's a decent time frame in there to try and do something about this massive problem that we have with the pitch, I'm pretty sure that The Ogdens and powers that be at the club will be trying to put some kind of plan together to get us through the season.
I'd even consider pulling out of the 'Tinpot Cup', the photo on the O/S showing the puddle was the area of the pitch that gradually got worse during the downpour at Man Utd game last week. |
Im far from a pitch expert but, it would seem not many new pitches are laid and bedded in during winter, which if the club decides to go down that route means we are doing it at totally the wrong time of year. 55 days over the summer months is realistic, winter im not so sure. I know we laid a new surface pre Tottenham but this job feels bigger than that.
I dont think the Ogdens are stupid, and no doubt if a total rebuild of the pitch is the route they take there will be cast iron assurances & warranty sort from whichever company/contractor is used.
I just wouldn't necessarily want this to be a rushed project and it not be right. Whatever is done has to solve this issue once and for all. I feel for the board, Jim & the players, this is the last thing they need after what has been an amazing start. How cruel would it be (if it turns out that way) that the home stadium is the opponent that beats us and costs us a crack at automatic.
Whether it's Bury (I hear the points made about the artificial, and I get that & accept it, the City shout is a good one, as is FC Utd, but I can't see any way in which we can stay at Spotland. |  | | |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 22:38 - Nov 4 with 2434 views | Dalenet |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 16:16 - Nov 4 by TVOS1907 |
They had also played a home game at Accrington, but I think the Oldham game went elsewhere due to the hordes of Latics that were expected. |
Accrington would be a decent shout. They invested heavily in their pitch just before their Chairman threw his toys out of the pram. Given he has slashed the money he is putting in, they'd be glad of the extra revenue perhaps. We'd have to lay on buses to get our fans there in any volume. |  | | |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 22:46 - Nov 4 with 2414 views | wozzrafc |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 22:11 - Nov 4 by rafc1977 |
Im far from a pitch expert but, it would seem not many new pitches are laid and bedded in during winter, which if the club decides to go down that route means we are doing it at totally the wrong time of year. 55 days over the summer months is realistic, winter im not so sure. I know we laid a new surface pre Tottenham but this job feels bigger than that.
I dont think the Ogdens are stupid, and no doubt if a total rebuild of the pitch is the route they take there will be cast iron assurances & warranty sort from whichever company/contractor is used.
I just wouldn't necessarily want this to be a rushed project and it not be right. Whatever is done has to solve this issue once and for all. I feel for the board, Jim & the players, this is the last thing they need after what has been an amazing start. How cruel would it be (if it turns out that way) that the home stadium is the opponent that beats us and costs us a crack at automatic.
Whether it's Bury (I hear the points made about the artificial, and I get that & accept it, the City shout is a good one, as is FC Utd, but I can't see any way in which we can stay at Spotland. |
If we were to try and move to another ground for home games, from December I think only one scheduled home league fixture would clash with an Oldham home game Tamworth in March).
Think in terms of fixtures that might be the easiest. Accy would clash quite a bit towards the end of the season.
That all said I think we are a long way off that yet. [Post edited 4 Nov 22:48]
| | | |
Login to get fewer ads
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 23:09 - Nov 4 with 2332 views | 442Dale |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 22:46 - Nov 4 by wozzrafc |
If we were to try and move to another ground for home games, from December I think only one scheduled home league fixture would clash with an Oldham home game Tamworth in March).
Think in terms of fixtures that might be the easiest. Accy would clash quite a bit towards the end of the season.
That all said I think we are a long way off that yet. [Post edited 4 Nov 22:48]
|
Until the club provides clear, detailed information about their plans which illustrate any proposed solutions have a high chance of working, talk of having to play somewhere else would remain the obvious alternative.
The measures taken so far, information about which was provided yesterday, have not so far worked. A postponed game is evidence of that.
So we most certainly shouldn’t be a long way off considering other venues, because this problem is right now and a route forward needs establishing and communicating way before the next scheduled home game in eleven days. [Post edited 4 Nov 23:10]
| |
| |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 03:12 - Nov 5 with 2155 views | TalkingSutty |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 23:09 - Nov 4 by 442Dale |
Until the club provides clear, detailed information about their plans which illustrate any proposed solutions have a high chance of working, talk of having to play somewhere else would remain the obvious alternative.
The measures taken so far, information about which was provided yesterday, have not so far worked. A postponed game is evidence of that.
So we most certainly shouldn’t be a long way off considering other venues, because this problem is right now and a route forward needs establishing and communicating way before the next scheduled home game in eleven days. [Post edited 4 Nov 23:10]
|
The chicken has been put before the egg. The Ogden family have funded a great squad of players but the club don't have a pitch that is fit for purpose. The result of uncertainty in relation to moving away from Spotland to another location in the Town.
We now have a good coaching set up with a manager who other clubs will be keeping a eye on and a striker who is one of the best in this league, a proven goalscorer. We also have other very good players who want to progress their careers. The current situation with the pitch jeopordises everything and certainly the harmony amongst the most important people at the club, the players and coaching staff. It also deflates the support base and stops any momentum in regards to project 5000.
Now is the time for somebody at the club to show some real leadership and it needs to start today, not tomorrow or next week. A plan needs formulating to bring clarity to the manager and the players. It's no longer acceptable to just cross your fingers and hope that it won't rain, because it will and it will also snow...and soon!. That's the reality of a Rochdale winter. It's also looking for excuses to suggest we get worse weather than anywhere else in the Country, we don't.
The Club have known about the pitch for years, this is nothing new. Today should be spent ringing around and looking for another credible option to stage games..Halifax, Etihad, FC United, Accrington, Oldham, Bury. You would like to think these options have already been explored recently by the club. We aren't in a position to pick and choose. My preference would be bury, the plastic pitch would give us a psychological advantage and would suit our passing game in the winter months. It also more or less guarantees games going ahead and we will play when our rivals games are postponed and we wont end up with a fixture backlog. The players can also train on the pitch which would be very usefull. Offer them some decent money and get it sorted. It's also only down the road for the fans. Maybe forging some sort of relationship with the new Bury FC could be advantageous to both clubs..just a thought. I'd suggest both clubs are entering a new era. We have the players with the skill set to flourish on a artificial pitch, one they are used to, that's how Oldham became unbeatable at home and we could do the same.
Hopefully by Friday an announcement can be made and we will all have some clarity and confidence that our fixtures can go ahead, the players can train in the knowledge there will be a game at the end of the week. The alternative is to carry on as we are and let the seaaon implode and see our manager and players seek pastures new, destroying all the hard work over the laat eighteen months. Who at the club is going to stand up and lead this today because time has run out in respect of this excuse for a football pitch. The person doing the negotiating needs to have personality and communication skills, a likability factor that can open doors, break down barriers and forge new relationships. Is there anybody inside the club who ticks those boxes because none of the old regime could, they couldn't even get the local council on board. I'm hoping Cameron or one of his men can get a urgent grip of this situation today, it's their money and club after all. A six month groundshare is now the only feasable option open to the club. [Post edited 5 Nov 5:30]
|  | | |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 06:29 - Nov 5 with 1992 views | D_Alien |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 03:12 - Nov 5 by TalkingSutty |
The chicken has been put before the egg. The Ogden family have funded a great squad of players but the club don't have a pitch that is fit for purpose. The result of uncertainty in relation to moving away from Spotland to another location in the Town.
We now have a good coaching set up with a manager who other clubs will be keeping a eye on and a striker who is one of the best in this league, a proven goalscorer. We also have other very good players who want to progress their careers. The current situation with the pitch jeopordises everything and certainly the harmony amongst the most important people at the club, the players and coaching staff. It also deflates the support base and stops any momentum in regards to project 5000.
Now is the time for somebody at the club to show some real leadership and it needs to start today, not tomorrow or next week. A plan needs formulating to bring clarity to the manager and the players. It's no longer acceptable to just cross your fingers and hope that it won't rain, because it will and it will also snow...and soon!. That's the reality of a Rochdale winter. It's also looking for excuses to suggest we get worse weather than anywhere else in the Country, we don't.
The Club have known about the pitch for years, this is nothing new. Today should be spent ringing around and looking for another credible option to stage games..Halifax, Etihad, FC United, Accrington, Oldham, Bury. You would like to think these options have already been explored recently by the club. We aren't in a position to pick and choose. My preference would be bury, the plastic pitch would give us a psychological advantage and would suit our passing game in the winter months. It also more or less guarantees games going ahead and we will play when our rivals games are postponed and we wont end up with a fixture backlog. The players can also train on the pitch which would be very usefull. Offer them some decent money and get it sorted. It's also only down the road for the fans. Maybe forging some sort of relationship with the new Bury FC could be advantageous to both clubs..just a thought. I'd suggest both clubs are entering a new era. We have the players with the skill set to flourish on a artificial pitch, one they are used to, that's how Oldham became unbeatable at home and we could do the same.
Hopefully by Friday an announcement can be made and we will all have some clarity and confidence that our fixtures can go ahead, the players can train in the knowledge there will be a game at the end of the week. The alternative is to carry on as we are and let the seaaon implode and see our manager and players seek pastures new, destroying all the hard work over the laat eighteen months. Who at the club is going to stand up and lead this today because time has run out in respect of this excuse for a football pitch. The person doing the negotiating needs to have personality and communication skills, a likability factor that can open doors, break down barriers and forge new relationships. Is there anybody inside the club who ticks those boxes because none of the old regime could, they couldn't even get the local council on board. I'm hoping Cameron or one of his men can get a urgent grip of this situation today, it's their money and club after all. A six month groundshare is now the only feasable option open to the club. [Post edited 5 Nov 5:30]
|
On reflection, i think you're right about the Bury option
Much as i dislike plastic pitches, it probably would suit our game and it'd also have the advantage of not deteriorating through overuse during the winter months, a factor which could hinder other clubs from taking us up on using their grass surfaces [Post edited 5 Nov 6:31]
|  |
| |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 06:50 - Nov 5 with 1964 views | Dale_4_Life |
Beggars certainly cannot be choosers so we might be hamstrung. Lets hope positive moves and decisions are made quickly this week.
We all knew before.. We certainly all know now! we just cannot have home games called off on repeat because of rain.
The 3 men who need to act swiftly and decisively are Cameron Ogden, Simon Gauge and Andy Duff.
Other stakeholders obviously to be considered including our manager Jim McNulty.
Not having a solid plan B and C is no longer available as an option. | | | |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 09:30 - Nov 5 with 1693 views | 442Dale |
Some great points by TS, especially around the real risk we run in losing both players and staff unless something is visibly done in the next week.
If anyone believes that saying “oh but the forecast is dry for the coming period and Aldershot will be fine” is acceptable, they and indeed any public communication reflecting that, need calling out. It would be treating the coaching team, players and supporters with contempt.
We’ve reached another crucial fork in the road in the club’s history. | |
| |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 09:33 - Nov 5 with 1681 views | YouTubeDale |
How long would it take to lay a plastic pitch at the COA?
If there is a window of opportunity then this could be the answer. Obviously if we get promoted to the EFL we would have to lay a grass pitch again. It kicks the can down the road somewhat but at least it could provide a possible solution. | |
| |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 09:50 - Nov 5 with 1614 views | dingdangblue |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 06:29 - Nov 5 by D_Alien |
On reflection, i think you're right about the Bury option
Much as i dislike plastic pitches, it probably would suit our game and it'd also have the advantage of not deteriorating through overuse during the winter months, a factor which could hinder other clubs from taking us up on using their grass surfaces [Post edited 5 Nov 6:31]
|
I would still go for City. Mainly because I hate plastic pitches. And City's pitch is as good as being plastic without being - the new technology at Premier League level means their pitches are part synthetic anyhow with the added bonus of still being grass. It would easily cope with extra games without cutting up and its a modern stadium with all the facilities and infrastructure around it - I think the players would enjoy playing there. And Whatmuff would be very at home there. Bury obviously is an option and they would certainly welcome any extra money coming their way. |  |
| |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 10:22 - Nov 5 with 1539 views | BarryStrange |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 09:33 - Nov 5 by YouTubeDale |
How long would it take to lay a plastic pitch at the COA?
If there is a window of opportunity then this could be the answer. Obviously if we get promoted to the EFL we would have to lay a grass pitch again. It kicks the can down the road somewhat but at least it could provide a possible solution. |
Personally I don't think you have time - we started laying ours in May 2024 and still asked the League to play our first 3 games (admittedly the season started in July) away. Took 3 months to get it ready. Also it would be very expensive to lay it then dig it up - thick end of a million quid to do both processes - and I'd imagine you are all desperately hoping to need a grass pitch again in August 2026.
Doesn't sound like any amount of patching it up is going to help, so your options would seem to be trying to find an alternative venue, digging up chunks of Spotland and trying to play away for a couple of months (which I doubt the NL will sanction) or hoping it doesn't rain. We were in the same boat in 2024, Gigg was a complete swamp because the drains hadn't been looked at in years. We wound up playing home games all over the place.
Given the view that Dale are where you are in the table through crisp, passing football, you'd go well on our surface. Took us about 3 games to get used to it, and 16 months in our home record suggests our opponents still haven't. | | | |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 11:23 - Nov 5 with 1402 views | EllDale |
I’m more or reconciled to a temporary move but senior management at the club need to do some serious cost analysis as to the implications of a switch.
For example, would our ticketing system be compatible with that of an alternative venue? Or do we all have to queue to pay cash on arrival?
Are vehicles going to be needed to move ground boards? Are there adequate media facilities? Space for a pop up club shop?
Not insurmountable problems but need to be in the equation. | | | |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 11:24 - Nov 5 with 1399 views | dingdangblue |
I honestly wouldn't want the club to waste any more money on any sort of cover now. The pitch is gone - the drains can't remove any prolonged rainfall either because of blockages in the sub-surface or in the drains themselves. There shouldn't have been puddles on that pitch yesterday - its been covered since Sunday! The only option is playing at another venue this season until its sorted out. | |
| |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 11:53 - Nov 5 with 1321 views | James1980 |
Is there a precedent for a points deduction for repeated postponement of games? | |
| |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 12:29 - Nov 5 with 1188 views | 49thseason |
If we can afford one, a full pitch inflatable cover seems like the only certain way of securing a playable surface. There are costs no matter what we do, if we move to another ground, we lose money at home vis bars hospitality etc. and pay to be away in terms of a rental fees.
A full cover would also protect us from snow and frost...
Were it not for continuous bouts of rain, the pitch would require less work over summer months whereas the current situation seems to need major work every 3 or 4 years. A full cover might, over time, actually pay for itself.
We are between a rock and a very hard place with no easy solution. The current flat covers are apparently not working, and even an inflatable "tent" will need an assured route for the run off, which in the last week amounts to over 40,000 gallons of water given we have had something like 20mm of rain. |  | | |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 12:31 - Nov 5 with 1183 views | TVOS1907 |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 11:53 - Nov 5 by James1980 |
Is there a precedent for a points deduction for repeated postponement of games? |
No | |
| You mean you STILL haven't worked out why some posts get down-ticked? |
| |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 12:31 - Nov 5 with 1180 views | wozzrafc |
The problem is prolonged rain over a period of time saturating the pitch.
Covering the pitch only protects the surface but the water still has to drain away. You could see during the Man U game the pitch had reached saturation point and couldn’t drain away.
Although it wasn’t constantly raining, the rain fall over the period between the Man U game and Tuesday night meant the water level was still significantly high enough to prevent the pitch from drying out.
It doesn’t matter if there’s been no rain a day or two before a game if there has been substantial rain between games that’s not allowed a saturated pitch to drain.
Covers really can’t be used for anything other than protect the surface of the pitch from heavy rain when it’s had time to dry . If there is a large amount of rain over a sustained period with all the will in the world it will get on the pitch.
What we need is a run of a good few dry days or days without persistent rain that allows whatever water is being held in the pitch to drain, then try and protect pitch from any rain once it’s dry.
From the update Monday we know the club are doing other things to try and drain/dry the pitch so the question should be how effective will this be as a short term approach.
In the best case scenario we can get through the winter with two or three postponements then we may be ok. It’s far from ideal. But one we get November out of the way there are limited home games through December and January .
If we can’t do that, then spending more money on more covers is not a viable option. If there were covers that would guarantee protection to the surface, I think we would have taken them.
So in the worse case other venues may be a more viable if more distasteful option. [Post edited 5 Nov 12:38]
| | | |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 12:31 - Nov 5 with 1178 views | D_Alien |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 12:29 - Nov 5 by 49thseason |
If we can afford one, a full pitch inflatable cover seems like the only certain way of securing a playable surface. There are costs no matter what we do, if we move to another ground, we lose money at home vis bars hospitality etc. and pay to be away in terms of a rental fees.
A full cover would also protect us from snow and frost...
Were it not for continuous bouts of rain, the pitch would require less work over summer months whereas the current situation seems to need major work every 3 or 4 years. A full cover might, over time, actually pay for itself.
We are between a rock and a very hard place with no easy solution. The current flat covers are apparently not working, and even an inflatable "tent" will need an assured route for the run off, which in the last week amounts to over 40,000 gallons of water given we have had something like 20mm of rain. |
Where do you suggest it's stored when it's not being deployed? | |
| |
| Rochdale v Scunthorpe on Tuesday on 12:35 - Nov 5 with 1154 views | 49thseason |
We could put it in a container..on the car park maybe on pallets with an electric pallet truck to make it easier?
[Post edited 5 Nov 14:50]
| | | |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
