Dale v Posh (traditional opener)

[Fedora Dale]

Same fixture as the first one last season, but hopefully not the same result.

Dale have not been entirely convincing in pre-season, withhalf hour spells of brilliance mixed with mmediocrity and defensive errors.

Posh seem to have gone backwards over the last year, but that might just be a lengthy post-playoff hangover.

I reckon a draw - but could be either a turgid goalless affair or something ridiculous like 5-5.

Team - no Bennett, Lund (both injured) or Rafferty (suspended) for this one. Lillis in goal, Henderson up front and nine others in between.

 

[The Hand of Dom]

I'm more confident this year now that Ferguson isn't at the helm but I'm not entirely convinced by the squad yet.

We haven't got any 'stars' like we've had before. There is no Gayle or Assombalonga, no Bennett, no CMS or McLean, no Boyd or Tomlin.

Maddison is probably our biggest natural talent but he blows hot or extremely cold.

The signing of Collison will be the best in this division if we keep him fit. Even in pre-season, he has been a class above.

2-1 Posh.

 

[Posh Hammer]

I'm more confident this year now that Ferguson isn't at the helm but I'm not entirely convinced by the squad yet.

We haven't got any 'stars' like we've had before. There is no Gayle or Assombalonga, no Bennett, no CMS or McLean, no Boyd or Tomlin.

Maddison is probably our biggest natural talent but he blows hot or extremely cold.

The signing of Collison will be the best in this division if we keep him fit. Even in pre-season, he has been a class above.

2-1 Posh.

Apart from against Cambridge where he was complete dogshit.

 

[Jamie_Posh]

Well that went well. If we can't even trouble dale we are going to struggle this season. I don't think Robbo is right for the job he needs to go ply his trade in the non-league first before managing in the league, this all smells a bit Mark Cooper in the championship to me.

The worry for me is that if we don't go up this season I feel Dmac will get bored and cash out, then who would want to buy us?

 

[Dale4ever]

Well that went well. If we can't even trouble dale we are going to struggle this season. I don't think Robbo is right for the job he needs to go ply his trade in the non-league first before managing in the league, this all smells a bit Mark Cooper in the championship to me.

The worry for me is that if we don't go up this season I feel Dmac will get bored and cash out, then who would want to buy us?

We finished above you last season? No need to be disrespectful. I know you usually win against us but it was surely our turn. We've waited since 2006. Plus it's the opening game of the season. Judging your whole season on one game is pointless, plenty of twists and turns yet to follow.

Onto the game itself. I thought we played quite well but there's definitely room for some improvement. Still unsure about Lillis in goal, think we need someone more substantial, but I'm willing to let him prove me wrong. Was impressed in the main with the football we played, some great one touch stuff. McDermott was fantastic, lacking slightly with the final ball on occasion though, but he's an exciting one for sure. Nobody had a bad game, but just feel at the start of the second half we struggled to keep possession, the injuries to Lund & Bennett play a big part in that for me, and their returns can't come quick enough to add a more defensive side to our midfield and make sure we build from the back. Possibly that's more to Posh's credit than to our own discredit though. Really pleased to see RNL score, I'll be the first to admit I've never been a massive fan of his, but if he can play anywhere near how he did as a sub on Saturday, he won't go far wrong. Overall very pleased but won't read too much into an opening day win, but there's certainly reason to be optimistic.

 

[Jamie_Posh]

We finished above you last season? No need to be disrespectful. I know you usually win against us but it was surely our turn. We've waited since 2006. Plus it's the opening game of the season. Judging your whole season on one game is pointless, plenty of twists and turns yet to follow.
.

Calm down
Firstly how was that disrespectful? I said "trouble" not beat. And surely that's a fair assessment a team that finished close to the play-offs last season if we can't compete with you we will struggle to compete in the top half of the table.

If I had really gone at it I could have said yea we should be beating the likes of you, I know traditionally we are similar size clubs but in recent history we have had championship seasons and I'm fairly certain our budget is higher than yours so there's that too.

But its the current seasons that matter and you are better than us at the moment. There does that make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside?

Secondly I'm not judging purely on this game I'm doing it for the games he was in charge of at the end of last season plus all the games in pre season and this one. He makes a signing as good as Jack Collison and starts him on the bench ! If he's fit enough for the bench he's fit enough to start. A clued up experienced manager wouldn't make that mistake.

 

[4froale]

I said that Dale will do well last season and was laughed at by a fier few on here( or whatever the forum was called before we come on here). Play-offs this year I reckon, although hopefully somebody taps Keith Hill up.

 

[Dale4ever]

Calm down
Firstly how was that disrespectful? I said "trouble" not beat. And surely that's a fair assessment a team that finished close to the play-offs last season if we can't compete with you we will struggle to compete in the top half of the table.

If I had really gone at it I could have said yea we should be beating the likes of you, I know traditionally we are similar size clubs but in recent history we have had championship seasons and I'm fairly certain our budget is higher than yours so there's that too.

But its the current seasons that matter and you are better than us at the moment. There does that make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside?

Secondly I'm not judging purely on this game I'm doing it for the games he was in charge of at the end of last season plus all the games in pre season and this one. He makes a signing as good as Jack Collison and starts him on the bench ! If he's fit enough for the bench he's fit enough to start. A clued up experienced manager wouldn't make that mistake.

Apologies, thought you were being a bit rude, misinterpretation then. I wouldn't judge too much from the first game though I really wouldn't. Our record on the opening day is absolutely shocking usually. And our record against you is even worse.

In terms of size I wouldn't say we are similar sized really, we are one of the smallest teams in this league. I think myself and every other Dale fan are just enjoying the ride really, while quietly thinking we could have another play-off push if we stay injury free and keep certain players. No doubting your budget is a lot higher, there won't be many if any that are less than ours.

Sometimes being fit enough for the bench and being fit enough to start aren't the same though, I know they could start and then be subbed off though I suppose. I still think you'll be top half easily, you always are in this league. As for your manager, well only time will tell on that one, I can't say I know a great deal about him, other than he was in the marines, but I only heard that in an interview.