.Rochdale v Barrow match thread

[Jim]

The only problem has been Zanzala never lived up to expectations and we've tried a few other forwards but none have been able to replace him. That has to be priority in the summer, not easy to find prolific 6ft+ strikers though there aren't many about and they don't come cheap. Hopefully by then we're still a football league club and able to get a good one in.

Just out of curiosity, I looked today at the leading scorers in National league and EFL league 2 in the 2020-21 season and then speculated about (a) could we possibly have signed them and (b) how have they done since last season.

In general, my findings were:
- a few who stuck with their clubs seem to have continued prolific goalscoring (eg Muldoon aand Jamille Matt)
- those who were signed by another club have had mixed success. You could say that Cook, for example, has done quite well at Bradford City. However, Orsi-Madamo who scored 19 goals for Maidenhead, signed for Harrogate and got 1 goal in 10 games, now apparently on loan at Boreham Wood.

My conclusion is that signing a 'prolific' striker is very hit and miss. One proven over many seasons will probably cost the earth, others that have had a good season with one club may not do the business at the next one. Our signing of Zanzala was probably the best we could do at the time (regarding cost, availability and willingness to sign) and it could have worked.

[Sea Dog Sam]

The effort was there, defensively sound and nice in midfield however up the top is once again where we are lacking, a mixture of Cooper's tactics and poor quality forwards is our undoing.

With Holloway back I was hoping to see him alongside Gordon which was disappointing, even more so when he didn't come off the bench!

Both him and Holloway are utter shi*e!
Both good players - just can't score goals
Holloway's missed header yesterday cost us the three points.
It's looking grim...

[Sea Dog Sam]

The only problem has been Zanzala never lived up to expectations and we've tried a few other forwards but none have been able to replace him. That has to be priority in the summer, not easy to find prolific 6ft+ strikers though there aren't many about and they don't come cheap. Hopefully by then we're still a football league club and able to get a good one in.

Just out of curiosity, I looked today at the leading scorers in National league and EFL league 2 in the 2020-21 season and then speculated about (a) could we possibly have signed them and (b) how have they done since last season.

In general, my findings were:
- a few who stuck with their clubs seem to have continued prolific goalscoring (eg Muldoon aand Jamille Matt)
- those who were signed by another club have had mixed success. You could say that Cook, for example, has done quite well at Bradford City. However, Orsi-Madamo who scored 19 goals for Maidenhead, signed for Harrogate and got 1 goal in 10 games, now apparently on loan at Boreham Wood.

My conclusion is that signing a 'prolific' striker is very hit and miss. One proven over many seasons will probably cost the earth, others that have had a good season with one club may not do the business at the next one. Our signing of Zanzala was probably the best we could do at the time (regarding cost, availability and willingness to sign) and it could have worked.

Andy Cook scored a breakaway goal yesterday for The Bantams - ran from the half way line. But I still call him Judas

Any of our ex strikers including: Andy Cook, Scott Quigley, Colin Cowperwaite, JImmy Mulvaney, Jimmy Mulholland, Tony field + a few whose names I've forgotten would have steered us to at least a mid table position this season. The current crop of shi*e we have will probably steer us back into Non League. Such a shame, because we're not that bad a side

[spirit of 1990]

Just out of curiosity, I looked today at the leading scorers in National league and EFL league 2 in the 2020-21 season and then speculated about (a) could we possibly have signed them and (b) how have they done since last season.

In general, my findings were:
- a few who stuck with their clubs seem to have continued prolific goalscoring (eg Muldoon aand Jamille Matt)
- those who were signed by another club have had mixed success. You could say that Cook, for example, has done quite well at Bradford City. However, Orsi-Madamo who scored 19 goals for Maidenhead, signed for Harrogate and got 1 goal in 10 games, now apparently on loan at Boreham Wood.

My conclusion is that signing a 'prolific' striker is very hit and miss. One proven over many seasons will probably cost the earth, others that have had a good season with one club may not do the business at the next one. Our signing of Zanzala was probably the best we could do at the time (regarding cost, availability and willingness to sign) and it could have worked.

Andy Cook scored a breakaway goal yesterday for The Bantams - ran from the half way line. But I still call him Judas

Any of our ex strikers including: Andy Cook, Scott Quigley, Colin Cowperwaite, JImmy Mulvaney, Jimmy Mulholland, Tony field + a few whose names I've forgotten would have steered us to at least a mid table position this season. The current crop of shi*e we have will probably steer us back into Non League. Such a shame, because we're not that bad a side

I’d agree, our “attacking” players aren’t good enough, the thing is they are doing their best but is it their fault they’re not a Quigley, Cook or Cowps? No, they’re performing to the best of their abilities, the manager brought them here. If they weren’t playing for him then there’s an excuse but I think we’d all agree they’re trying their hardest. The fact they aren’t good enough for this level of football stops with the manager.

[McMark]

Not much between either side but Rochdale carved out the better chances. Aamadi- Holloway holding the ball up well but not much options to feed off his hard work in the right areas.

[bluebird90]

Absolutely bored by yesterdays game along with other recent performances. If it keeps us up, then so be it, but unless there’s a change in the style, crowds will start to dwindle next season.

[Sea Dog Sam]

Andy Cook scored a breakaway goal yesterday for The Bantams - ran from the half way line. But I still call him Judas

Any of our ex strikers including: Andy Cook, Scott Quigley, Colin Cowperwaite, JImmy Mulvaney, Jimmy Mulholland, Tony field + a few whose names I've forgotten would have steered us to at least a mid table position this season. The current crop of shi*e we have will probably steer us back into Non League. Such a shame, because we're not that bad a side

I’d agree, our “attacking” players aren’t good enough, the thing is they are doing their best but is it their fault they’re not a Quigley, Cook or Cowps? No, they’re performing to the best of their abilities, the manager brought them here. If they weren’t playing for him then there’s an excuse but I think we’d all agree they’re trying their hardest. The fact they aren’t good enough for this level of football stops with the manager.

Hmmm maybe?

Could be related to finance - therefore BOD must take some of the blame.

I recently googled the goal scoring records of Zanzala, Gordon and Holloway with their past clubs. I honestly can't believe that any manager, including Mark Cooper, would have signed any of them!

Makes you wonder if lack of finance or our middle of nowhere geographical location had a bearing on the signing of those mentioned opposed to quality strikers?

[MisterPleasant]

I’d agree, our “attacking” players aren’t good enough, the thing is they are doing their best but is it their fault they’re not a Quigley, Cook or Cowps? No, they’re performing to the best of their abilities, the manager brought them here. If they weren’t playing for him then there’s an excuse but I think we’d all agree they’re trying their hardest. The fact they aren’t good enough for this level of football stops with the manager.

Hmmm maybe?

Could be related to finance - therefore BOD must take some of the blame.

I recently googled the goal scoring records of Zanzala, Gordon and Holloway with their past clubs. I honestly can't believe that any manager, including Mark Cooper, would have signed any of them!

Makes you wonder if lack of finance or our middle of nowhere geographical location had a bearing on the signing of those mentioned opposed to quality strikers?

The Chairman has consistently said that "the money is there" BUT it might be that we have to pay over the odds to attract an equivalent player. The real skill is in identifying a hidden gem.

[Steelman]

Somebody wiser than me as I am not a full-time regular at Holker Street can explain why a team that scored 20 goals in the first 15 L2 games and had us in the top half, has only managed to score 11 in the last 20 - since the end of October in fact - despite apparently adding recognised scorers to the squad. Surely that, as most people same to believe is down to the manager's tactics.

[Sea Dog Sam]

Somebody wiser than me as I am not a full-time regular at Holker Street can explain why a team that scored 20 goals in the first 15 L2 games and had us in the top half, has only managed to score 11 in the last 20 - since the end of October in fact - despite apparently adding recognised scorers to the squad. Surely that, as most people same to believe is down to the manager's tactics.

Adding recognised scorers to the squad? Do a search and look up the players you refer to as 'recognised scorers'? Look at their past goal scoring feats with other clubs. You'll get a shock!

[blue nige]

Somebody wiser than me as I am not a full-time regular at Holker Street can explain why a team that scored 20 goals in the first 15 L2 games and had us in the top half, has only managed to score 11 in the last 20 - since the end of October in fact - despite apparently adding recognised scorers to the squad. Surely that, as most people same to believe is down to the manager's tactics.

You're correct Cooper put Tom White in to cover our defence but should have gone to 4 at the back but hey it's really working well!

[spirit of 1990]

Somebody wiser than me as I am not a full-time regular at Holker Street can explain why a team that scored 20 goals in the first 15 L2 games and had us in the top half, has only managed to score 11 in the last 20 - since the end of October in fact - despite apparently adding recognised scorers to the squad. Surely that, as most people same to believe is down to the manager's tactics.

Adding recognised scorers to the squad? Do a search and look up the players you refer to as 'recognised scorers'? Look at their past goal scoring feats with other clubs. You'll get a shock!

And that’s my point in my other post, it’s not the players fault they don’t bang in twenty goals a season, the players records are there for all to see…Cooper brought them here.
Regarding finances, why spend wages on three or four strikers (some who he doesn’t even play) instead of putting them wages into signing one, perhaps two proven strikers.

[Steelman]

Sorry, folks, 'apparently' was meant to suggest that was the reason they were signed by the manager.

[Sea Dog Sam]

Adding recognised scorers to the squad? Do a search and look up the players you refer to as 'recognised scorers'? Look at their past goal scoring feats with other clubs. You'll get a shock!

And that’s my point in my other post, it’s not the players fault they don’t bang in twenty goals a season, the players records are there for all to see…Cooper brought them here.
Regarding finances, why spend wages on three or four strikers (some who he doesn’t even play) instead of putting them wages into signing one, perhaps two proven strikers.

Yeah, but my point was how do we know if it was Mark Cooper's decision to buy those players?
I honestly don't believe it was. I believe he would have bought 'quality' strikers with a past record of scoring goals. Finance could be the key to this - or to be more precise the lack of it.

You state that the Chairman is reputed to have said: "the money is there"
Hmmm...I don't think we'll ever know.

What I do know - as everybody does - is that we're stuck with a strike force that is possibly the worst I've ever seen - I've been a fan since 1968.

You say it's not the players fault that they don't bang in twenty goals a season? Well; who's is it?
Their agents advertise them as 'Strikers' in the footballing market place. The players class their selves as 'Stikers'.
Their past goal scoring records are abysmal!

I'm not doubting their abilities as footballers. Holloway, in particular, shows some nice touches. As does Gordon. Zanzala and Sea have also displayed certain skills whilst being with us. Harris is too young and inexperienced for anyone to evaluate his worth. But as strikers they all leave a lot to be desired.

To be honest, If they don't come up with the goods against Scunthorpe tonight I'd be shipping the f**kers out first thing Wednesday morning!

[Big_Bluebird]

https://www.rochdaleafc.co.uk/news/2022 ... _16.03.22/ Possible points deduction on the cards?