Most liked posts in thread: Rochdale (A) 29th December

Been tracking your results since DH took over - good to see things are picking up.

Have known Hoppy for years, and he has a very simple footballing philosophy (remember this from a chat with him years ago) - make sure the players you have are a fit as they can possibly be, that they know what their jobs are... and that they give absolutely everything they have during games.

Reading this thread, it sounds like he's doing exactly what he did with Livingston. He got a bunch of players that were treading water, and got them really fit and working harder than any other team in the league. It wasn't always pretty to watch, but they bullied teams off the park at times... and it got them back to back promotions.

 

Rochdale were no different to Walsall or Scunthorpe in that they just weren't equipped to deal with us today.

Our high-pressure, non-stop hard work approach combined with slick interplay between the front three was devastating. There really was no place to hide on the pitch, we covered every blade of grass and the opposition did not enjoy a single second of it.

Doyle led the line well in the absence of the harder working Miller, and his quality made up for his lack of yardage. When he was allowed to win headers, he used them well - if he were slightly more physical, he'd be a top player. But against two big centre backs, he was able to find time and space to do his own thing, and that's where his class showed.

Ball and Payne were exceptional - they must be a joy for any centre forward to play in front of, and how neither scored is beyond me. Ball could have pulled the trigger multiple times, but his ruthlessness isn't as apparent as his sheer determination, work-rate and teamwork. That's fine! I can deal with that. We should sign him up ASAP. Same goes for Payne, of course, I'm just not sure we'd bag him...

The defence was solid, and McGowan is proving a revelation after time out - something seems to have changed, and long may it continue - if he's got an on-switch, Hopkin might just have found it...

The importance of the role of Lewis O'Brien should not be underestimated. Just when you think Ball, Payne and Doyle (or Miller) are the key three, O'Brien is there buzzing around like an utter nuisance. You cannot take your eyes off any of them, and Jim came in and did a superb job.

This was a remarkably well balanced 5-3-2, and you literally wouldn't have known we'd just switched up formations in the absence of Miller and Akpan.

BUT, special mention to Hopkin again, this guy doesn't let the team take the foot off the accelerator for a second. Just because you're winning doesn't mean you have to consolidate or defend your lead - if you're the better team, keep being better for 90 minutes. Not a Parkinson trait, and not a Stuart trait - that's a Hopkin trait.

If we've got you on the rack early, you could be in for a long, long game........... we are relentless at our best.

 

What you seem to be conveniently forgettting is number 4 was wholly responsible for numbers two and three. Had number 4 got 3 and 2 right from the start we porbably wouldn’t have had such a problem with number 1.

Therefore Rahic is the number 1 reason for the mess we were in when he left. Thank f*ck he will never poison this club again with his over inflated ego.

 

Someone needs to be asking Town what it will take to sign Payne and explain to Stefan just what this lad could do for our team going forward.

 

Nostradamus strikes again....

Our best away performance in years. And not just when we had the ball. Our intensity and work ethic when we didn’t have the ball - which wasn’t often - was top class.

 

People saying it’s the only reason and not giving Hopkin any credit are equally bizzare

 

Firstly I want to say we were outstanding today, best performance of the season by far

on that performance we will finish mid table but I can’t help but feel come May I will feel like it was a season wasted rather than being relieved we’ve stayed up.

 

A joy to watch, I can not remember dominating a team like that in years. The high press, the constant threat, the effort from front to back... Even in recent seasons where we’ve finished top 6 we haven’t hammered teams as we have these last few weeks.

 

Hopkin got it bang on today. Best performance this season.

 

DH for Manager of the month would be well deserved in my book.

 

Anybody who thinks that Rahic going was not a large part of our improvement is living in cloud cuckoo land. That was the catalyst.

 

I'd put number 4 right at the top as that was the catalyst for everything else.

Hopkin was clearly struggling to get his ideas and philosophy implemented due to an egotistical control freak.

Attracting any top staff, such as a highly experienced fitness coach, is a challenge when you have a ruthless dictator at the helm.

As for the injuries, I think some are genuine - it happens - but many were players not motivated to work their way back in to the team due to a toxic atmosphere of fear.

Remove the cause of the problems and everything starts to fall into place, which is why your number 4 was really number 1 IMHO.

 

Hmm...

Both have played in recent 4-0 wins...

I'd say they are interchangeable, and it's pointless belittling either.

 

Taken from their forum......

Bradford match thread on 17:20 - Dec 29 with 1953 views Shun

Bradford at Valley Parade: the worst side we’ve seen this season
Bradford at Spotland: one of the best sides we’ve seen this season

I didn’t see the Barnsley game but that was the most one-sided game I’ve seen all season by far. Bradford were completely dominant from the first minute. Our play has become so slow under Hill lately that any side that presses us will have success, and that’s what Bradford did throughout. We didn’t have a second to think and they forced us into making so many mistakes.

The only time we had any calmness to our play was the final 10 minutes when Perkins came on. I would’ve had Perkins on much sooner when it became clear how tough a game it was going to be. Also, MJW should’ve been sent off in my opinion for that tackle.

Bradford were singing about staying up. If they play like that with any regularity they’ll do a Plymouth and be challenging for the play-offs soon. Well done to them on a very deserved result.
2

 

Didn’t go today, listened on the radio. It sounded like an absolutely fantastic game. Well done to DH, plus backroom staff who are working miracles with the squad. The players are now working and playing together as a team, they deserve our support and admiration. Long way to go, but we are looking good. Let’s pack VP on Tuesday and repay Accrington

 

Best chance in years to pick up a truly quality player for a modest outlay with a sell on value...

 

Just go back to this thread between 2-3 he was getting stick for team selection, now it's nothing to do with him when we hammer them.