The Opposition View - Rochdale

Following yesterday's 3-0 win over fellow strugglers Rochdale, here are some views on the game from Dale's caretaker manager Chris Beech and a few of their fans.

"We came here to win it, and the players we picked were capable of winning it," said Beech.

"The lads, they came, they've had a go. They've probably been a little bit better than Wycombe in terms of the first half but it was too soft and not penetrative enough, and not enough incisive passing in the attacking third, or runs off the ball."

"They scored with what? A long ball, a flick, an out-muscle and a lob. It's very avoidable, it's not good enough, but it's happened."

"I think with any team that's down the bottom end of the table, the first goal is crucial," he said. "If you score first the opposition will crumble, that's what happens."

"It's easier to give in than fight back because there's a crisis of confidence in teams that are down at the bottom but the players were capable of having a go and winning that football match."


The Rochdale fans were horrified at their team's performance.

The following extracts are taken from Rochdale AFC.com


R17ALE wrote:
"Abject. Absolutely awful. This was up there with any horror show I've witnessed in nearly 30 years of watching. The players look like they don't want to play for anyone (not even themselves) and the simple things are being done so badly it's painful to watch. Wycombe were also poor and also look doomed. Someone mentioned, whilst walking away before the final whistle, that we're going down with a whimper. We're not. It's much worse than that after what I saw today. I'd gladly take going down with a whimper now as that would be a distinct improvement on the absolute shambles we've witnessed today.'


leedsdale wrote:
"That was as bad as anything I have ever witnessed. No passion, leadership, care, pride or spirit. You name it, we haven't got it.'


Doris wrote:
"For only the second time in 25 years watching football I walked out and went back to the pub before the final whistle. This was not a football game, this was 22/24 football players running around a green field attempting to play football and most of them failed in the 77 minutes I watched. This was disgusting and an episode I will not repeat in the near future. I don't care what excuse they have for not playing well because I couldn't find one player who deserved his wages today and I'm being kind in my summation.'


electricblue wrote:
"Very sad now. End of an era for me. I've seen a promotion and some memorable scores, but hard to pick up after this.'


Doolan is God wrote:
"First time this season I've really felt resigned to the drop, but there are other clubs struggling as well and I think perhaps two new players (probably loan signings) and some inspiration in the dressing room and we could be set up for the Great Escape.'


Shun wrote:
"We're going down, I can't bear it anymore.'


D Alien wrote:
"I refuse to accept that man for man the Dale squad is among the worst four in the division, and If just a couple of battling spirits can be brought in - on contract - before the window shuts, we've got at least a fighting chance.'


Next Game: Brentford v Wycombe - Sat 28th Jan - 3.00pm

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