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Reply | Rochdale must act on Ian Watson either way
at 11:56 2 Nov 2026
In wondering whether the board have the courage to make a decision, what you mean is... make the change
Fitz (fine analysis) makes the point that the board need to actively support Watson if they're not going to change
To both points, i'll add a potential weakness built into the helm of the club, and i've referred to it before: the joint-Chairmanship. You can see why the Ogdens, with next to no experience of the football world wanted to keep Gauge in a position where his shares and travails prior to their arrival counted for something. In effect, what it does is create a distance, yes: the kind of distance we see between players on the pitch, mirrored in the boardroom. The intentions are great, the actuality, not so
This isn't about those individuals either, since i have huge respect and admiration for the work Cameron Ogden, on behalf of his family, is doing both within the club and in the wider community. I've respect for Simon Gauge too; without his input, we almost certainly wouldn't be here now. He was subject to dog's (literally) abuse, whilst putting a considerable amount of his family's wealth into keeping us afloat until it became unsustainable
It was great to see them both share the plaudits at Wembley, in among the manager, players and with the fans. But Gauge, even though he says he's learnt a lot, remains relatively inexperienced; add that to the decision-making process and it's a recipe for having no solid process with split accountability, however much a show of togetherness might be put forward
Where does this leave us right now? I too suspect the board will stick rather than twist, and it's a good point about those names who're available maybe biding their time. Even if they've been approached, they'd be looking at an unbalanced, unfit squad with a crucial window looming. If the board do make the change, now would appear to be the most opportune time as Fitz argues. But... whose decision will it be? A single chairman making that decision would be far and away the better option. It's the Ogden's money at stake, but Gauge's decision, and is he setting the process? Not the best recipe for clarity. I think, in the aftermath of all this, another decision has to be made, by the Ogdens, about the chairmanship
[Post edited 2 Nov 12:03]
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Reply | Refwatch - Port Vale v Rochdale
at 00:05 1 Nov 2026
I can't imagine that anyone as intelligent as Cameron Ogden will have been "sitting on their hands" during the recent turmoil
The trouble is, his family asked Simon Gauge to retain his shareholding and accept the joint chair position on the basis of his work before the Camerons took over ownership
As with Keith Hill, i think Dale got very lucky indeed with Jim McNulty. You're right, therefore, to point out the "luck" element, but having got lucky once, the relative inexperience of Gauge remains a sticking point. The Camerons simply can't rely on his judgement, even though he's been on a steep learning curve
To "stick" could cost them a fortune, and might even question whether they wish to remain in position in the longer term (having made clear they weren't here to bankroll the club). To "twist" will also be costly, with no real process to guide them
I'd hope, with their business experience, they'll be looking for outside guidance, whatever that might be
[Post edited 1 Nov 0:08]
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Reply | Refwatch - Port Vale v Rochdale
at 23:41 31 Oct 2026
All of these details just point back to one thing (do i need to say it again?} - the recruitment process
Watson was recruited on the basis of meeting the criteria that the Dale board were working with; something along the lines of "Dale values" and a way pf playing football
If the process identified the wrong man, even with all the initial challenges and injury setbacks, where do the board turn to, to identify the "right" man?
At this stage, the rest is just noise [Post edited 31 Oct 23:42]
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Reply | Refwatch - Port Vale v Rochdale
at 21:03 31 Oct 2026
That's the real issue
It's why i supported Watson early doors and it looked as if he might turn things around, with the board supporting him at the (heavily managed) fans forum
Looks to have been a mirage. Stockdale also had a spell early doors when it looked like we were pushing the playoffs, prior to collapse
So, if the "process" doesn't work, where do the board turn to? We all have our own ideas of what we need, and those with the responsibility of making that decision have less experience of the game. Still, it's their money on the line, so it can only be hoped they're reviewing not just Watson's position, but their own process |
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Reply | Conference 26/27
at 17:27 31 Oct 2026
Don't give up yet duk
We could've done with Camps |
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Reply | T' cricket - summer of 26
at 14:36 31 Oct 2026
Aussies put to the sword
How England fare out there is going to be something to behold over the Xmas / New Year period |
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Reply | Refwatch - Port Vale v Rochdale
at 14:32 31 Oct 2026
And Beckwith; no idea why his fitness isn't up to enabling a better base than we've been starting with, even if for 60-70 minutes
A place needs to be found for Paterson too, at least sharing the 90+ minutes with Hendo to begin with
I think the board are likely to hold fire for the time being, but every game that goes by without a minimum degree of solidity pushes Watson further to the brink |
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Reply | Refwatch - Port Vale v Rochdale
at 13:28 31 Oct 2026
Half injured, and recruited to suit Watson's way of playing
God knows what kind of outfit Paterson's now thinking he's joined
This time, changes required before the start of the second half
Beckwith, Hendo, Paterson as a minimum |
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Reply | Refwatch - Port Vale v Rochdale
at 13:02 31 Oct 2026
Sadly, and on the back of the board's own recruitment process being called into question, i now have to agree
How do the board proceed if confidence in their own process is shattered though? |
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Reply | T' cricket - summer of 26
at 16:15 30 Oct 2026
Meanwhile, a great final day in prospect out in South Africa
With the series level at 1-1 SA have clawed their way back to finish 387 all out, leaving the Aussies 288 on a wearing pitch |
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Thread | Award winners?
at 12:12 28 Oct 2026
https://www.rochdaletimes.co.u
Great to be included as finalists. The article is a little unclear about whether it's Dale's support that's being recognised, or the club's engagement with the fans and wider community.. Whichever (or both), it's still good to see
What the club need to do further is ensure they live up to their award-winning potential:
"...these initiatives demonstrate a genuine commitment to listening to supporters, empowering fan involvement, and creating a more vibrant, inclusive, and unified matchday experience for the entire Dale family."
Whilst i don't doubt this is the intention, and there's plenty of evidence to demonstrate it, responsiveness (or lack of it, as highlighted in other threads) is something which requires constant vigilance
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Reply | FACup draw
at 22:12 27 Oct 2026
Well done Fleetwood, beating Arsenal on pens in the League Cup
[Post edited 27 Oct 22:13]
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Reply | T' cricket - summer of 26
at 17:03 25 Oct 2026
Losing three on the trot, especially the last two from winning positions, really isn't a good look, either for Brook or the management
It's been speculated that Adil Rashid had "gone off the boil" but he was a specialist at seeing games out at the death. The decision to drop him looks to have backfired
In other news, Lancs are doing a "Hendo" with Jimmy Anderson. He wanted to play on, but isn't going to be offered a contract [Post edited 25 Oct 17:04]
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Accrington Stanley
at 11:21 25 Oct 2026
Growing gates during better than average times were a perennial of being a Dale fan though
Achieving the current levels of footfall is a significant step towards a stated ambition
This one still feels qualitatively different, given the intervening history of the club, whatever the finer details are to be picked at...
It's far from terminal for the season, but it's a real jolt and a mood change and the key is whether IW has the personal resources to turn it around... again |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Accrington Stanley
at 10:36 25 Oct 2026
Another 4000 gate yesterday, 3500+ home fans
As the light and weather starts to turn, yesterday couldn't have come at a worse time. How many of those will be turning out in mid-winter?
Fans with longer memories have referred to previous home thrashings (it happens to most teams every now and again) but the reason i suggested this one as the most morale-sapping of all is looking at our situation in the round, compared to other embarrassments (the 7 conceded against Shrewsbury another) which happened when we were trundling along on gates hovering barely above 2000
We desperately need a result against Port Vale. I'm looking no further than that |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Accrington Stanley
at 21:53 24 Oct 2026
Given the number of minutes Beckwith's had on the pitch now, plus the training and another full week under his belt, surely he should at least be starting games
If it means we get to half time with a more solid base (Tasker at right back) that's got to be better than bringing him on when either the game's gone, or we're chasing it and the opposition have brought their replacements into the mix
Then, see how long he can last in the second half until he's fully up to speed |
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