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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 13:50 31 Dec 2025
If it goes as forecast, then it is looking pretty doubtful. Accrington can’t do any more, they’ve been great but maybe it will be only one game that’s played there. Unless it’s rearranged for a midweek before the 24th.
Switch it to Spotland… |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 13:27 31 Dec 2025
A York fan on Twitter commented that Pearce may have picked up a knock last night, he was subbed straight after his winner. Could be something and nothing of course but other sides will have to get over obstacles at some stage. We can only do our best and hope that what happens elsewhere works in our favour.
Back to Dale, as well as the obvious need for an addition up top, I do think it’s time we shuffled the pack where we’ve yet to make real changes - midfield.
It was refreshing to see a different structure there late on last night and the presence of Pettit who looks to push forwards with the ball made a difference. East and Gilmour have been fantastic so far. East’s response to the one time he was left out at Tamworth showed his ability to respond to a challenge and he offers a lot with the way he links play on the right and being able to get into the box. However, we need to change it up a bit and give Pettit a run. If not, why is he here? We can’t have someone of that quality being a perennial late sub.
East and even Gilmour should appreciate that there will be some rotation. Now’s the time.
Or play all three and switch to a front two… |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 23:10 30 Dec 2025
McNulty’s interview was pretty much spot on about the first half. Admits they were disappointed with how we started the game.
Mentions all the crosses too, a definite air of frustration but also acknowledging these games will come along across a season. I just hope they’re as infrequent as they have been and other sides have one or two more than us. |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 22:54 30 Dec 2025
That last 20 was an enjoyable watch because if nothing else it proved that we can shift away from our usual structure mid game. The mistake was it came at least 10 mins too late.
We don’t know enough about how many games/minutes Henderson can play to ensure he’s at his most effective, but he should have been no later than the hour mark. Pettit too. |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 21:59 30 Dec 2025
Only consolation was the impact of the subs and a realisation that by changing up the formation it can give the opposition more to think about. Mancini and Henderson made a real difference in a two and the latter showed that apart from Mani, he’s the only one we have to play that central striker role.
Additions are indeed required. |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 20:49 30 Dec 2025
The Mani thing is the most noticeable. Smith really struggles as a focal point.
With Mani (or Henderson) they know how to shift defenders and be an out ball - see Henderson’s goal on Saturday. It’s why Broome is being hung out to dry and leading to some fans screaming at him. But what’s he supposed to do when there’s no option nearby and he has to go long? |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 20:45 30 Dec 2025
That’s been the worrying thing. They look completely unlike the side we are used to yet it was probably a team most would have been happy with.
They’re letting each other down. But trusting they know that and will respond. |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 20:41 30 Dec 2025
Our tactics are no different to when we have been winning. The performance has been shocking and the players have gone into their shells. Numerous times Broome has just ended up going long as the options aren’t there at the back.
Oh and they played a forward three on Friday. Just Charman has replaced Nathaniel George. [Post edited 30 Dec 20:43]
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
at 20:37 30 Dec 2025
Shocking performance. Defensively all at sea and passing is miles off. Pritchard having a nightmare so far and little threat with Smith at centre forward.
Some of the abuse being thrown at individual players is pretty sad though. But then again, wasn’t it said how it was crucial we didn’t overreact when there’s a bad display?
Some players need to take responsibility and step up that’s can’t be argued, Hartlepool are first to every ball. That’s nothing to do with formations or tactics, it’s wanting it more. The way Broome is being left with so few options says it all. This is a real test.
Changes needed at half time. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 20:03 29 Dec 2025
Actually I was wrong on that one. Definitely not as much snow as I thought, though probably was thinking of when people turned up to shovel it off! |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 18:52 29 Dec 2025
On the goal Haynes scored it was apparently the last he scored for Fulham although it was subsequently removed from the records. There’s info on the ‘Rate the Ref’ forum describing an interesting reaction from the crowd!:
“ One newspaper report from 1969 referred to him as "Ronnie" Barker and I'm sure that variation cropped up from time to time although it seems he preferred to be known as "Ron". The same report referred to him being applauded off by the crowd after abandoning a Rochdale-Fulham match - certainly a very rare event for spectators to take such a decision in that manner.”
“ i hadn't thought of that fairly obvious explanation but apparently it was 2-2 when ice brought the curtain down on proceedings. Maybe Rochdale though were under the cosh against a team which had been in the top division only eighteen months earlier. The renowned Johnny Haynes was one of the Fulham scorers although of course the abandonment meant his goal was ultimately erased from the records.” [Post edited 29 Dec 18:53]
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 18:08 29 Dec 2025
On the subject of frozen pitches, Saturday could be in doubt if the temperatures drop as low as forecast on Friday night with the following day not getting much above freezing. Not sure if Accrington have frost covers but they’d be useful. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 13:33 29 Dec 2025
The last game I can remember at Spotland impacted by fog was the televised game v Leyton Orient in 2001. You couldn’t really see the other end of the pitch but the game was finished, and it didn’t look as bad on tv.
There was one in January ‘94 v Scarborough when the fog was so bad it was postponed before kick off. This was a few weeks after playing on a snow covered pitch when beating Northampton. That was a great game and the snow made little difference, a Dave Lancaster hat trick and Jamie Taylor goal part of a 6-2 win. [Post edited 29 Dec 13:43]
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 19:44 28 Dec 2025
Yes, it’s all on the individual league to decide. The only recent example I’m aware of, though not weather related, is Scunthorpe at Eastleigh this season when there was a bad injury in added time. The game was replayed in full.
Scunthorpe were also given the win against Wealdstone when the visitors “made clear our view that the correct outcome was for Scunthorpe United to be awarded the three points".
Those listed were the only games that came up after a quick search looking at games abandoned due to weather. It was in reply to a previous post which mentioned a precedent should be followed at the “professional level” which indicated there were plenty where the result has stood. Was wondering where that particular precedent was illustrated, if it was specific to the NL, which games? - no National League matches came up (it wasn’t an extensive search). Not to say that there aren’t examples which others may know about.
Can’t be certain of course, but would think most of the decision centres around the reason I believe it should be replayed - that both sides should have the opportunity to complete a match that hasn’t been played to its conclusion. [Post edited 28 Dec 19:48]
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 16:47 28 Dec 2025
The most recent example would be Blackburn v Ipswich which was, ironically, abandoned the day we were due to play Southend in September. Called off after 79 mins, replayed in December.
Quick google search: There were games in 2006 at Watford and Sunderland where games were replayed after the original matches were abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch. Similar at Man City when they played Ipswich at Maine Road in 1994. Ipswich probably don’t like heading to the north west when it rains…
At Dale, there was the Grimsby around this time of year in 2005. That game was replayed the following March.
Having used the phrase “plenty of others where the result was allowed to stand”, it was presumed there may be information that backed that up - ie. Examples of games that were abandoned because of the weather where the result stood. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 16:06 28 Dec 2025
I’m not saying the referees obvious error should matter when it comes to a decision. It was stating an opinion that he quite obviously got it wrong by allowing the game to continue for as long as it did.
Have you a list of the games that were abandoned because of the weather where results stood? It’d be interesting to look at the dates of these and whether the current rules may have seen them replayed. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 15:44 28 Dec 2025
And he deemed it unplayable before the game could finish and before a multitude of other things could have happened, which is why it should be replayed.
That he didn’t beforehand was his error and the game was a farce.
Both teams in a football match deserve the opportunity to complete it. |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
at 14:29 28 Dec 2025
We shouldn’t be awarded the win anyway. We only took the lead due to the pitch being unplayable and not sure anyone can claim we deserve the three points. |
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