Sounded pretty ugly but a wins a win. Shrews beaten by bottom of the table Bury too. Maybe their bubble has burst.
Shrewsbury were never going to last the pace for automatic promotion. Play-offs the best they can hope for. The more important results were Wigan and Blackburn both winning impressively. If they keep up this kind of form then play-offs are also probably the best we can hope for
I'm looking at the rest of the season. Pretty sure they'll be right up there come the business end of things
Except that we are still ahead of Blackburn
I don’t disagree with you. Just saying that I think it is just as likely we will finish above them.
Sounded pretty ugly but a wins a win. Shrews beaten by bottom of the table Bury too. Maybe their bubble has burst.
Shrewsbury were never going to last the pace for automatic promotion. Play-offs the best they can hope for. The more important results were Wigan and Blackburn both winning impressively. If they keep up this kind of form then play-offs are also probably the best we can hope for
I really don't think Shrewsbury or Blackburn are noticeably better than us. Wigan maybe but win our game in hand and we are 2 points behind them, that's all. And only Shrewsbury have lost fewer games than us.
Frankly, automatic promotion is there for the taking for any side who put together a run of results. No reason why that shouldn't be us.
Sounded pretty ugly but a wins a win. Shrews beaten by bottom of the table Bury too. Maybe their bubble has burst.
Shrewsbury were never going to last the pace for automatic promotion. Play-offs the best they can hope for. The more important results were Wigan and Blackburn both winning impressively. If they keep up this kind of form then play-offs are also probably the best we can hope for
I really don't think Shrewsbury or Blackburn are noticeably better than us. Wigan maybe but win our game in hand and we are 2 points behind them, that's all. And only Shrewsbury have lost fewer games than us.
Frankly, automatic promotion is there for the taking for any side who put together a run of results. No reason why that shouldn't be us.
It should be if the old scrote holding the purse strings lets KR make the signings he needs in January otherwise it'll be touch and go. He might then get the price he's looking for to sell up but then again he's about as predictable as snow on the London Weather Centre roof at Christmas.
First time I've been since September. Pretty average, very boring, lucky to escape with a win. Can't say I found much to enjoy tbh. No way was there 8,800 in there tonight, doubt it was much over 6k. Hurry up and sell you senile old git
Although I have felt for a while that Blackburn are looking dangerous, take a look at the table, from the POV of fans of the other clubs. With our games in hand, and long unbeaten run, it's us who start to look dangerous.
That said, having seen Wigan in the flesh, I think they are nailed on champions.
- We didn't respond that well - initially - to going a goal down. When they hit the inside of the post I was pretty fearful. Thankfully our heads didn't drop much further. However, this has been a worrying trend throughout the season - conceding and we lose it a bit mentally. - However, all credit to the fans - we played our part in upping the tempo. There was a tangible response. - We looked pretty tired and lethargic in all honesty. There were clearly flashes of Good Football (capital G, capital F) but this was tempered by it being a second game in four days. - We need to get in a couple of more physical players. Not to say we should start them/replace any of our current players, but we do not have the players to adapt the system accordingly when teams target us physically/aerially. - The squad in general, therefore, remains way too thin.
Opposition
- Rochdale aren't actually that good. Keith Hill set them up to outmuscle us and they did so much of the time. The basic lack of height in this side is a relatively significant trade-off for the technique of, say, Dasilva/Marshall/Holmes, but one that is currently working. If possible we might need to have a couple of "big man" options come in, just for the particularly combative games, similar to how Sarr went to LB for the last few minutes today.
Players
- JFC was excellent. Two very important goals - and that's six points (including Bradford) I would say he's earned the side, at least. Kashi alongside him got caught in possession a couple of times and nearly undercut several passes that scared the life out of me. - Reeves disappointed. He doesn't look fit. But there's a player in there. Conversely, KAG looked miles better, but still not really good enough. His energy and charging about, however, did lead to our goal in a contextual way. - Konsa and Sarr were by and large excellent. Sarr is either a fantastic or terrible passer. But overall, he had a good game, and Konsa was understated but still not bad at all. - Solly and Dasilva both had good games down the flanks. They looked like how we've seen them play in previous games, basically. Nothing insightful to add! - Amos with two magic saves played his part in winning the game, too, alongside JFC. Did well and communicated with his defence very well which was reassuring. I'd love to see us go in for him in the summer, but wages is the question. - Marshall looked better today, forcing the second goal and causing panic with both dribbles and a few crosses (more than he was on Saturday at least). Holmes is looking a bit too selfish at the moment, and he had a couple of slightly casual moments, but he's just so mercurial it seems churlish to criticise one of the few genuine game-winners I've seen play for us in recent years. - Magennis did a sterling job up front. Tried very hard and gave their defenders hell, but didn't really get much and wasn't able to force too much to go his way.
In summary
Pleased. We played average but won and that is the sign of a half-decent team. However, a few underlying issues don't seem to have yet been resolved, and we need to rectify the mental situation when we go a goal down.
So Rochdale are holding an early lead and then slam the inside of the post and everybody commented that it was a Jake Forster Caskey moment, luckily for us we then had two authentic Jake Forster Caskey moments which won us the very necessary points. Rochdale were well managed and organised, and typical of opposition in this division there is always a player or two in the opposition with enough finesse to catch you out, give you trouble. This was very much the case where the other team maximised what they had, gave us trouble, and towards the end gave us enough trouble to get us shifting uneasily from buttock to buttock. Indeed it needed a couple of very good Amos saves to secure the win, and for a player who we had doubts about it has to be said that Amos is gaining respect by the match and well done him. I think that is five for the season now from JFC, and he has a good habit of getting in the mix after an attack half breaks down and finding a goal, like Amos he is building a decent season for himself. Generally we had the edge all over the pitch, and Rochdale shared the fouling around constantly stopping us about 40 yards out, sometimes you wish there could be team yellow cards. We evened up the woodwork tally when Kash hit a low drive against the post, otherwise he is a really good player prone to the odd sometimes costly mistake. Ironically it is Marshall (better than Saturday) and Reeves (worse than Saturday) who one hopes will really influence games, but so far it has been a bit meh from those two. Everybody responded and made a bit of a contribution with the exception of Reeves, and the points on an awkward November Tuesday evening are very welcome.
Boy, we do try to make it hard for ourself - hanging on a bit at the end. Despite them hacking and clogging everything in sight in first half, i thought that RochDale weren't a bad team.The key word there is team whereas i think we play very much as 11 individuals. We looked very suspect at the back - is big Sam still advising? if so, then it hasnt worked.
Thought Marshall was excellent second half and I hope he stays fit. Solly played well and Amos made a few key saves. JFC showed he can finish and Big Josh worked his socks off.
We were terrible for the first half. Lucky to get a goal, couldn't string a pass together. half decent team would have punished us. Fortunately for us, Rochdale really are the worst side I've seen us play this season (including Northampton). We moan about our misplaced passes, theirs were truly terrible. They were set up well to intimidate us, and it worked up until the ref finally gave a yellow and we scored shortly after. KR must have delivered one hell of a bollocking at half time because we were so much better 2nd half. Still not great mind, but enough to win. THe first 15 minutes or so of the 2nd we were pressuring them and they made lots of mistakes, eventually Marshall's shot wasn't held by the goalie and JFC nipped in and put it away. Well done him for showing a bit of bottle.
Think we were lucky, draw would have been a fair result, but not complaining.
We so often this season just seem to miss that final piece of the jigsaw, that said still think we're just about good enough to make the play offs......... Reeves on the other hand....... whats happened to him, whenever I saw him play for MKD he was outstanding. On the flip side I thought at least for the 1st 20 minutes he was on KHG looked good, such a shame his header was straight at the keeper, I think a goal will boost him significantly, stuck in a couple of good crosses as well.
Frustrating but ground out the result in the end - think some of the comments on Rochdale are harsh given the age and cost of their team (they're hardly going to come and play around us).
Our last four wins have been by a single goal.... flattering to deceive or sign of a good side?
Funny night, with such a sparse crowd it felt like a League Cup 1st rnd game for much of it. Credit to the 100 or so in the North Upper who kept it going 2nd half.
We worryingly looked a team of strangers first half, not at the races at all. Picked up a little 2nd half and done enough. How clubs like Rochdale with their support and financial backing can be competitive in comparison to budgets like ours, Wigan etc I'll never know but hats off to them.
We are going to have to do something pretty bad to drop out the play off picture. Whether we have enough in the 2nd half of the season for the automatics, we have to wait and see.
Thought Sarr and Konsa showed their lack of game time and experience tonight by never getting to grips with their number 9. Thought JFC had very good first half. Second half a bit nullified, perhaps due to change in system or Dale countering him, but still got the winner. Looks like Bowyer's influencing him well. Thought Amos should've seen the shot for their goal coming and at least got a hand to it, but he won the game in the second half with 2 top class saves. Marshall is a tidy player.
Thought the players were patient in first half, even if a bit dull. Personally can't see the point in just playing forwards all the time when most of them are midgets and, apart from Magennis, don't stand much chance of winning a header.
Comments
Anyway happy for the 3 points tonight.
Frankly, automatic promotion is there for the taking for any side who put together a run of results. No reason why that shouldn't be us.
Onwards and upwards........
Must be close to a record post 1998. What do you reckon @ray traecy ?
We were outplayed at times by a very well organised Rochdale who could have been three up. Andrews won nearly every ball in the air.
But we got back in the game and when we went, amazingly, 442 we were fantastic and we saw a glimpse of the player that KAG could still be.
But Rochdale pushed us back and had chances too.
Did anyone notice that we were two nil down at one point?
JFC and Marshall were good, Reeves poor again, Holmes works so hard, Solly solid.
The BFG is missed, Sarr isn't as good as some think he is..
We played well in patches, changed formation and we won.
Good enough.
Rochdale deserved a point. Calvin Andrew was bloody excellent for them.
Played excellent on Saturday and deserved to win
Didnt play too well tonight and a draw wouldnt have been unfair
That said, having seen Wigan in the flesh, I think they are nailed on champions.
- We didn't respond that well - initially - to going a goal down. When they hit the inside of the post I was pretty fearful. Thankfully our heads didn't drop much further. However, this has been a worrying trend throughout the season - conceding and we lose it a bit mentally.
- However, all credit to the fans - we played our part in upping the tempo. There was a tangible response.
- We looked pretty tired and lethargic in all honesty. There were clearly flashes of Good Football (capital G, capital F) but this was tempered by it being a second game in four days.
- We need to get in a couple of more physical players. Not to say we should start them/replace any of our current players, but we do not have the players to adapt the system accordingly when teams target us physically/aerially.
- The squad in general, therefore, remains way too thin.
Opposition
- Rochdale aren't actually that good. Keith Hill set them up to outmuscle us and they did so much of the time. The basic lack of height in this side is a relatively significant trade-off for the technique of, say, Dasilva/Marshall/Holmes, but one that is currently working. If possible we might need to have a couple of "big man" options come in, just for the particularly combative games, similar to how Sarr went to LB for the last few minutes today.
Players
- JFC was excellent. Two very important goals - and that's six points (including Bradford) I would say he's earned the side, at least. Kashi alongside him got caught in possession a couple of times and nearly undercut several passes that scared the life out of me.
- Reeves disappointed. He doesn't look fit. But there's a player in there. Conversely, KAG looked miles better, but still not really good enough. His energy and charging about, however, did lead to our goal in a contextual way.
- Konsa and Sarr were by and large excellent. Sarr is either a fantastic or terrible passer. But overall, he had a good game, and Konsa was understated but still not bad at all.
- Solly and Dasilva both had good games down the flanks. They looked like how we've seen them play in previous games, basically. Nothing insightful to add!
- Amos with two magic saves played his part in winning the game, too, alongside JFC. Did well and communicated with his defence very well which was reassuring. I'd love to see us go in for him in the summer, but wages is the question.
- Marshall looked better today, forcing the second goal and causing panic with both dribbles and a few crosses (more than he was on Saturday at least). Holmes is looking a bit too selfish at the moment, and he had a couple of slightly casual moments, but he's just so mercurial it seems churlish to criticise one of the few genuine game-winners I've seen play for us in recent years.
- Magennis did a sterling job up front. Tried very hard and gave their defenders hell, but didn't really get much and wasn't able to force too much to go his way.
In summary
Pleased. We played average but won and that is the sign of a half-decent team. However, a few underlying issues don't seem to have yet been resolved, and we need to rectify the mental situation when we go a goal down.
Onwards and upwards!
So Rochdale are holding an early lead and then slam the inside of the post and everybody commented that it was a Jake Forster Caskey moment, luckily for us we then had two authentic Jake Forster Caskey moments which won us the very necessary points.
Rochdale were well managed and organised, and typical of opposition in this division there is always a player or two in the opposition with enough finesse to catch you out, give you trouble.
This was very much the case where the other team maximised what they had, gave us trouble, and towards the end gave us enough trouble to get us shifting uneasily from buttock to buttock. Indeed it needed a couple of very good Amos saves to secure the win, and for a player who we had doubts about it has to be said that Amos is gaining respect by the match and well done him.
I think that is five for the season now from JFC, and he has a good habit of getting in the mix after an attack half breaks down and finding a goal, like Amos he is building a decent season for himself. Generally we had the edge all over the pitch, and Rochdale shared the fouling around constantly stopping us about 40 yards out, sometimes you wish there could be team yellow cards. We evened up the woodwork tally when Kash hit a low drive against the post, otherwise he is a really good player prone to the odd sometimes costly mistake. Ironically it is Marshall (better than Saturday) and Reeves (worse than Saturday) who one hopes will really influence games, but so far it has been a bit meh from those two.
Everybody responded and made a bit of a contribution with the exception of Reeves, and the points on an awkward November Tuesday evening are very welcome.
Despite them hacking and clogging everything in sight in first half, i thought that RochDale weren't a bad team.The key word there is team whereas i think we play very much as 11 individuals.
We looked very suspect at the back - is big Sam still advising? if so, then it hasnt worked.
Happy we won...
They were set up well to intimidate us, and it worked up until the ref finally gave a yellow and we scored shortly after.
KR must have delivered one hell of a bollocking at half time because we were so much better 2nd half. Still not great mind, but enough to win. THe first 15 minutes or so of the 2nd we were pressuring them and they made lots of mistakes, eventually Marshall's shot wasn't held by the goalie and JFC nipped in and put it away. Well done him for showing a bit of bottle.
We so often this season just seem to miss that final piece of the jigsaw, that said still think we're just about good enough to make the play offs......... Reeves on the other hand....... whats happened to him, whenever I saw him play for MKD he was outstanding. On the flip side I thought at least for the 1st 20 minutes he was on KHG looked good, such a shame his header was straight at the keeper, I think a goal will boost him significantly, stuck in a couple of good crosses as well.
and no way was there 8,000 there,
Our last four wins have been by a single goal.... flattering to deceive or sign of a good side?
We worryingly looked a team of strangers first half, not at the races at all. Picked up a little 2nd half and done enough. How clubs like Rochdale with their support and financial backing can be competitive in comparison to budgets like ours, Wigan etc I'll never know but hats off to them.
We are going to have to do something pretty bad to drop out the play off picture. Whether we have enough in the 2nd half of the season for the automatics, we have to wait and see.
Thought the players were patient in first half, even if a bit dull. Personally can't see the point in just playing forwards all the time when most of them are midgets and, apart from Magennis, don't stand much chance of winning a header.