Stanley vs. Rochdale match thread

[Preston Red]

Agree with Smudgie - Higginbottom was superb when he came on, he was really up for it & a hell of a goal. O'Grady was a handful all afternoon also - oh well Tues against Burton to look forward to!

[cmonstanley]

shows how far stanley have came being disappointed losing to the league leaders...

[Wynonie Harris]

Disappointed, but not too downheartened. Think Rochdale showed exactly why they're top of this division in the last 30 minutes. Don't reckon we'll make the play-offs, though - we just don't have the consistency; our quality seems to wax and wane from match to match and even from minute to minute. I'll be well happy with a top half finish!

[SamF]

We played bloody well. Rochdale just showed why they are top of the league we didn't self destruct we were just outplayed.

[cashman]

Originally Posted by SamF

We played bloody well. Rochdale just showed why they are top of the league we didn't self destruct we were just outplayed.

my sentiments entirely, as was the guys i was stood with.

[cashman]

not having seen much of the symes sending off, any mileage in n appeal?

[carpon]

Originally Posted by cashman

not having seen much of the symes sending off, any mileage in n appeal?

No. I was Sat in main stand and have to say they were both going hell for leather whilst on the deck,straight in front of the fourth official, who even if the ref hadn't seen it, would have told him it was a straight red apiece.

I'd disagree with a few comments on this thread. In my opinion, it seemed like once 2-0 up, a few in the team obviously thought they'd done enough to beat Dale. You can argue that their second was a little lucky, being a deflection and all that, but when their first went in I had the horrible feeling of Deja vu, a.l.a. Bradford and at that moment (of Dale's first goal) could see what eventually happened, happening.

Despite changes in personnel from last season, it's still obvious that we are lacking at times in the defensive department. It seems lessons have still not been learned.

It may be my opinion, but to me, once 2 zip up against a so called better side, we seemed to freeze. Once their first went in, panic set in and from being on the front foot, we went on the back foot and the inevitable pressure told.

Don't get me wrong, a top half finish beckons and given our recent problems that is an achievement in itself.

However, having seen today's defensive capitulation more than once recently, ( Dale today, Bury on Boxing Day, and Bradford last season) that convinces me that, despite improvements going forward, until we can sort out defensive frailties and being able to handle pressure such as was applied in those three examples, we're not good enough to go up.

I'm not sure where the problem lies, however, what I will say is that if Coley and Bell spent less time berating and arguing with officials and bemoaning their bad luck and a little more time addressing the defensive problems in general, then I for one would be happier. I appreciate that we seem to get more than our share of dodgy officials, however to me, that excuse is starting to wear a bit thin.

Yes, Rochdale were a good side once they got going, however at 2-0 up, it would have been nice to close up shop and get the three points. Up until that point we never gave them a chance to get going.

Oh yeah, and the all ticket policy was a great success. I was sat next to four Dale fans in the main stand ( Clayton End Side )and had a natter with another at half time ( sat elsewhere in the main stand,who I would hasten to add, stated at that point he would have been happy with a point) wearing full colours !!! Quality decision and policing by the local Plod.

[Reamer]

Well, what a spectacular fall. With 25 to go we were bouncing in the more sedantry section of the Clayton End and 30 minutes later we were staring into our pints in the Oak Leigh wondering what the hell had gone wrong with the Dale fans singing all around us '2 up and u f**ked it up'. Yeh well that's footy. Two brilliant goals and then it all went balls up. Couldn't understand subs today. Easy to say in retrospect but after sending off, felt that Mullin on for tyring Procter and Flynn for Miles might have salvaged a 2-2. Having said that , Dale looked a worthy side. Was impressed by Kennedy (the left back one) and O'Grady. Good luck in league 1.
Burton tuesday.... get into 'em
Re Symes sending off - 3 game ban for violent conduct..... anyone ?

[carpon]

Originally Posted by Reamer

Couldn't understand subs today. Easy to say in retrospect but after sending off, felt that Mullin on for tyring Procter and Flynn for Miles might have salvaged a 2-2.

Re Symes sending off - 3 game ban for violent conduct..... anyone ?

Violent conduct- automatic three game ban. Pointless appealing, he was fighting with the guy on the deck.

As for Proctor, I don't think he's fit. Seemed to pull out of every 50-50 and didn't look his normal combative self.

Waste of time throwing McConville on..... he's too lightweight and needs time to fill out, grow up a little, learn a bit more about the game and progress (loan him out to Radcliffe Boro or somebody !!)....What's happened to King???

[Nickelson]

Fair play to Rochdale. Good luck in league one its about time.
Symes needs a rest, at least Grant should be back fully. Still think we can sneak the play offs need to average around 2 points per game IMHO.

[chrismuller]

never seen so many police thare the officer on the hourse was well fit .

the result was bad and i do not think we can get to wembley but i will be puting bet that stanley go up as champs in 2010/2011 also can i say thank you to the fans that saved me from hurting my self when i fell over at ht in the clayton end

[Pendle Red]

The first of Dale's to be honest came so quick after Stanley's second there was a shell shock about it right from the terraces to the team, maybe in hindsight then was the time for change going five at the back but that is not our style.

Fair play to Dale they played some good stuff but defenders backing off around the area is not good to see, show them outside away from goal but not inside and a direct route to goal.

I am not sure on the killer third but I have it in my mind that our left back had pushed up field and was out of position as we lost possesion and they broke leaving us short at the back?

It was a thrilling game and no shame in losing to Dale, my only overall gripe is more towards in the manner we self imploded and being slightly disappointed that Dale were there for the taking.

[maccawozzagod]

we didn't lose the game, Rochdale won it - end of story.

Dagnall and O'Grady were fantastic and the full backs were brilliant, but to a man Rochdale were faster and stronger than us. Good side who got what they deserved yesterday.

[Willie Miller]

[Oldgobbin]

Totally agree with Macca – thought Rochdale deserved to win. However, I don’t see how we are going to benefit from Michael Symes’s enforced “rest”. Perhaps someone could tell me who’s going to lead the line. Grant has neither the ability nor the “bottle” to do it and the rest, apart from Billy, are just lightweight wingers. Billy is great, but needs someone to play off and, as things stand, I just can’t see who that might be for the next three games.

Someone also said that, after yesterday, Boozer should be replaced. Again, I can’t see where that comes from. One of their goals was a wicked deflection, the last one was punishment for the “muck or nettles” attempt to throw everything forward for the equaliser, and the other two seemed to me to be a result of defensive frailties against a strong attacking side.

Bring back Bavs, by all means, if you want to give up on the play-offs altogether, but I personally would be looking at ways to give the likes of Flynn and McCarten a run. They might just add a bit of tightness at the back. Having said all that, Rochdale were a very good side, and even an unchanged defence might get us back on track on Tuesday. Can’t say I’m as confident about the centre-forward situation though!