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Reply | Refwatch - Port Vale v Rochdale
at 20:15 2 Nov 2026
I expected Adeeko to be a bit more athletic than he is, especially based on the comments when we signed him. Technically he is no great shakes neither and by default we have ended up with two 'move' midfielders and no really quality passer. Francis is better technically but cannot cover the ground, especially in a two. If he sits as one of a three and does not get pressed he is okay, but that very rarely happens. If Bilongo ever stays fit he could be an option at left wing back. If Jim had stayed both wing backs were positions I would have been looking to strengthen.
It also goes to show how good a player Gordon became. It was no surprise that he has made a good start in League One. [Post edited 2 Nov 20:18]
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Reply | Refwatch - Port Vale v Rochdale
at 19:54 2 Nov 2026
I suppose it all comes down to good old 'football philosophies'. Currently we are trying to play with two high wide players which is leaving us wide open in midfield and the lack of an actual number ten also adds to the problems. In general play the space in between the players is too large, which makes passes more challenging and leaves up exposed in transition. We do not have the players with the athletic profile in midfield or at centre back to cover such distances.
Under McNulty ball when a player got the ball it always looked like they knew who was on for a pass and usually there was an easy option that moved the ball. It worked for the players we had and gave us much more control. We are just far too open. I would look at going back to a 343 formation. You could play the following:
Wilson, Flint, Beckwith
Tasker, GIlmour, Adeeko, Hannant
Heyes, Brown, Middleton
Heyes has had success in the wider forward position and Middleton could also play it. Another elephant in the room is Waller who has been poor. Do I think another manager could get a better tune out of the players available? I am not sure.
If Watson does get to January and the injuries clear up he could bring in another striker and look to change the profile of the centre of the park or play with Pettit, Gilmour and East? I am still unsure about the centre backs. Flint made a good initial impact but his limitations are starting to get found out.
Would the following be a decent team?
Ramming
Tasker
?
?
Beckwith
Hayes
Pettit
Gilmour
East
Middleton
Brown |
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Reply | Refwatch - Port Vale v Rochdale
at 15:24 31 Oct 2026
I would agree about Brown, but he needs some back up and a decent option to spell him, which we do not have at the moment.
We have to stop conceeding goals. The spaces between the zones are too great and currently we do not have the players to play the type of game Watson wants, which relies on athletic midfielders and mobile centre backs who can cover a lot of ground. We need to go back to basic and simplify the game. Flood the centre of the pitch and try and control the game a bit more rather than being so open. A move back to wing backs and three centre backs could help in this regard, but there is a rot and it needs to be stopped. |
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Reply | T' cricket - summer of 26
at 09:07 31 Oct 2026
Head's just gone. I cannont see anything other than a South African victory from here. It has been a really good series. We will be seriously challenged playing there later in the year, especially if they get another seamer fit to complement Rababa, Jansen and Mulder. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Port Vale v Rochdale
at 09:03 31 Oct 2026
Usually after a heavy defeat we would see a few changes. Not sure we have enough fit players to do this. Beckwith and Henderson in for Sherring and Francis. Hopefully both could do 60 minutes. |
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Reply | T' cricket - summer of 26
at 17:05 29 Oct 2026
With Farbrace coming in the decision was not made until after the end of the season so there was not the appropriate time to give him the send off he deserves.
It will be interesting who, if anyone, he signs for next year and what type of impact he makes. |
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Reply | T' cricket - summer of 26
at 09:38 26 Oct 2026
Devil's advocate time.
Eventually a call has to be made. They are looking to rebuild and as Fergie would always do, it is better to move on one year too early than one year too late. His injury record was not bad last year, but the season before he did not play as much. How much of the salary cap was he commanding and where is that money going to be used next season? An overseas seam bowling all rounder for the first part of the season could make a big difference. Luke Wood has lost his England contract and may not get another bench IPL deal so may have to actually play some red ball and more domestic white ball cricket to earn some money.
Conversely, he bowled well last season and will be good for the young seamers such as Stanley, Singh Dale, Aspinwall, Walkden, Hands and Brown to learn from. He may also have been prepared to take on a red ball only, extremely value for money contract just to keep playing.
There will be so much behind the scenes that we are not privy to and any contractual decision is a risk either way. A few years ago Mahmood was being chased by Warwickshire and Lancs paid him big money on a long term deal and he has hardly played.
Personally I am a bit undecided. Should any player be able to dictate his own terms? Also where will his wage from last season be allocated? |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Accrington Stanley
at 18:10 24 Oct 2026
Unfortunately, or fortunately I could not make the game today. Francis either sits or does not play. He does not have the legs to operate in any other role. Listening to Watson's interview he mentions their 'athletic players' and how they, in effect worked harder with and without the ball. We are especially hamstrung in midfield with a lack of different options. Smith being out also limits the rotation wide.
There was on paper enough quality to not get hammered in that manner. A lot of the clamour for Waller to start should also die down. |
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Reply | New signing
at 11:27 24 Oct 2026
I would expect EEL to leave as well at the end of his contract. |
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Reply | New signing
at 09:10 24 Oct 2026
Flint has been absolutely brilliant and has filled a need but I am not sure Watson would be looking past this season. Flint has many attributes but with a season to identify targets would you want to go into next season with a 38 year old centre back who is probably not as good on the ball for the system we play?
Next season will see a big turnover of players unless we bring in a few in January or extensions are offered to some of 'Jim's players', none of which (some down to injury) look like they have earned one. I would definitely be looking to extend Middleton, although he might be of the thinking of I will take a bit less wage wise this year to earn a better, long term deal next season. [Post edited 24 Oct 9:16]
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Reply | New signing
at 20:03 23 Oct 2026
The likes of Dieseruvwe and Rodney might be targets for clubs in the National League. They are out of contract in the summer and look unlikely to be offered a new deal. If Flint extends his contract to the summer does EEL want to be potentially fourth choice? Might one of the midfielders be moved on if a different profile of player becomes available in that position? |
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Reply | New signing
at 18:53 23 Oct 2026
I suspect a few will leave as well as a few new signings. |
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Thread | New signing
at 17:16 23 Oct 2026
New signing until the end of the season. Experienced forward. Maybe the number 10 we have been looking for? |
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Reply | Hamstring Injuries
at 12:10 22 Oct 2026
You would always say that there is a difference between impact injuries and muscle injuries. There is a massive volume of work on prehab - training to prevent injury. With the use of GPS data etc there is also a clearer picture about loading during training and matches so that players can be substituted or training loads eased back. Pre-season can also be vital in building core fitness. Not only did we start late but a lot of players also joined later. You could also question the signing of players with histories of prior injury, although is that a risk versus reward gamble?
Let's look at the injury list:
Casey Pettit - Contact injury - Knee
Will Jenkins - Non contact injury - Knee
Ethan Ebanks-Landell - Unknown injury - suspected hamstring?
Nils Ramming - Torn thigh
Laurence Maguire - Torn calf
Tobi Adebayo-Rowling - Unknown
Ryan East - Contact injury - Broken toe
Kane Taylor - Unknown - looked to be a thigh injury
Jonny Smith - Unspecified 'leg' injury - suspected muscular
Mani D - Hamstring
Bryant Bilongo - Hamstring
Devante Rodney - Hip injury
Dan Moss - Contact injury - knee
Beckwith was also out with a hamstring injury and Maguire has already been out injured once with a muscle injury. Lots of muscle injuries, too many muscle injuries. Something needs to be looked at in the conditioning and training. |
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Reply | Fan services email
at 18:13 21 Oct 2026
On the whole the U block has been a great addition. A few obviously got a bit excited last night and rightly they need educating about how what they did could affect the club. To say rip up the safe standing area is an over reaction. [Post edited 21 Oct 19:48]
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Grimsby Town
at 22:13 20 Oct 2026
Taylor let the ball bounce and then they got in behind. Beckwith is obviously on a 30 minute timer like Heyes is now up to 70. The second goal came from over playing after we had won the ball and then conceded a corner. Poor punch by Waller.
The positive are Middleton and Tasker. Hayes is also looking sharper. It is almost the last fit player standing. Pettit and East cannot come back quick enough. I thought Gilmour had a decent game but Francis has no mobility. With Taylor pulling up lame and Tobi going off at half time we are really struggling for numbers. |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Grimsby Town
at 20:37 20 Oct 2026
Middleton and Hayes are causing problems when we get them the ball. Still a bit open in midfield at times even with three in there. |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Grimsby Town
at 19:29 20 Oct 2026
Someone posted on X he is going for a scan. Did something stretching for a ball on Saturday.
That makes it 11 injuries now.
Ramming
Moss
Ebanks-Landell
Maguire
Bilongo
Pettit
East
Jenkins
Smith
Rodney
Mani
How many of those would start?
[Post edited 20 Oct 19:33]
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Grimsby Town
at 18:35 20 Oct 2026
Francis in for Taylor and no Mani on the bench. I suspect Francis will sit and we will have Adeeko and Gilmour either side of him. A proper number 10 and a striker to challenge/back up Brown are a must in January. |
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