Torquay United v Rochdale - 25/8/12

[AustrianAndyGull]

why do the scottish games always finish about 5/10 mins before the rest of the games. The time in Scotland is the same as in England!!!

[NA Gull]

why do the scottish games always finish about 5/10 mins before the rest of the games. The time in Scotland is the same as in England!!!

They always used to have 10 mins at half time rather than 15. Not sure if it is still the case though.

[bixieupnorth]

five added mins, struggling to contain them a bit now, credit to dale they're having a really good go at saving something here

[GazTheGull]

Thompson was class today, Easton got better as the math went on, Bodin was brilliant, feel sorry for Downes. Looked like he just slipped on the grass.

Loan in a CB?

[bixieupnorth]

anyone catch the crowd today?

[luketufc]

anyone catch the crowd today?

2731, and 207 of them were away fans

[OllieGull]

Rene's finish for his 2nd goal was absolutely phenomenal...

[Jeff]

I won't go into full details of the match as I assume quite a few of us went anyway, but a summary of my thoughts.

The viewing from the bench is excellent, I'll definitely be plonking myself over there for any future trips to Plainmoor. The atmosphere was a little stale first half, but improved once we turned on the gas second half.

It was a really odd game. We were superb from their goal to Howe's second. Although Rochdale actually passed the ball better than we did, their front 3 of Donnelly, Adebola and Grimes were so utterly useless that they had no outlet and as such all their pretty passing and possession was wasted. Adebola was an embarrassing shadow of a player, utterly useless. Our passing was a little off-key at times, but once we got it going from half time for half an hour it was a question of how many we would score. Bodin and Howe both missed what I would call sitters off the rebound from Thompsons shot, and Bodin hitting the bar were our best chances. After those two, it looked like we would be forced to cling on for a 2-1 regretting all those missed chances, but thankfully Rene weighed in with a couple of goals - the second was a real beaut of a finish.

Then it all got silly. Rene got booked for needless handbags after an offside call. Straight up the other end, a couple of slips at the back and Donnelly was in and was pulled down by Downes. No compliants, red card but a magnificent save from Poke keeps them out. Straight up the other end again, Rene goes in high and gets a stern "final final" warning, so Ling does the right thing and takes him off. We then went to pieces. Jarvis looked dis-interested and was useless as an outlet. Morris then had 15mins of doing everything wrong, and we were subjected to wave after wave of Rochdale attack. We need more bodies in the squad, no question. Cruise playing right back and Oastler as a CB isn't a viable solution. Poke made 3 fine saves, Nico and Easton both had to clear off the line. Somehow, we only managed to concede one but it was an awful showing of how to close a game out.

You want to hear something positive from today? Two words - Niall Thompson. What a talent this boy is! A couple of little flashes first half, but second half he gave the full-backs a torrid time. Quick, direct, powerful. Manage his first team exposure properly and we have a gem on our hands. Other positives were another faultless performance from Poke, Easton did a passable job at replacing Lathrope and Downes/Saah looked a great partnership. The front 3 were unplayable once they got going.

There was plenty to be pleased with today up until the 74th minute. However today showed that we still don't have enough strength in depth. We need a decent back up Centre back, potentially a Centre forward who is a more viable option than Jarvis and I'm still unconvinced that the answer to replacing Eunan is in the squad. Morris was patchy at best, although not seen enough of Craig yet to determine whether he can fit the bill.

Priority is to get a centre half in for next weekend.

[Scott Brehaut]

Thompson was class today, Easton got better as the math went on, Bodin was brilliant, feel sorry for Downes. Looked like he just slipped on the grass.

Loan in a CB?

I heard that you could take nothing away from his performance

[Neal]

My first trip this season, sat in the Bench, what a fanastic stand and view. That was one heck of an entertaining game, and let me telll you Rochdale are a good side. Their passing was excellent. For us Thompson was vey very good, if he can keep that up the boy will go very far. Howe, Manse, Bodin all excellent. And Poke, some wonder saves, although the Rochdale keeper also made some superb saves as well. How we didnt score some of those goal moth scrambles i will never know. As posted previously the last 15mins we were hanging on big time, evidence that Rochdale are A VERY good side. Well done to the whole team and well done to the club for the Bench, I will be bagging my seat early in the future

[ferrarilover]

I've been saying about Niall for a few months now, and I hope now you are all beginning to see why.

Easton did ok. Jeff called it right, Morris managed to do absolutely everything wrong after Downer went off. Speaking of Downer, did he slip, causing him to trip the bloke, or is my memory playing tricks on me?

The only thing Craig did having come on was to whack a beautiful cross field pass to Jarvis. Jarvo was worse than useless when he came on, to the point that I'd rather have had Atieno on.

Thoroughly convincing win, for all their neat flicks and tricks and one touch football, they were most unthreatening.
We, on the other hand, are playing some beautiful football, long may it continue.

Matt.

[goodluckgull]

Geoff Harrop was so very very proud of Niall today. He stood up and clapped his heart out when Niall went off, just like a very proud Dad. It looks really good when all the supporters stand up on the bench for a substitution. Heck of a game today. It was like watching the whole season in just one game !

[miltonkeynesgull]

What a mad game that was! Hugely enjoyable though and, at times, an exceptional performance. 

Sat in the Bristow and was very impressed. Great acoustics and view was terrific. Will probably switch back to the Pop now, though.

We started off well and it was end to end stuff. We had a few good chances and Manse drew a good save from Lillis. Then, Rochdale won a corner and Downes lost his marker, who dummied the corner as it came over, leaving it to Tutte to slot home a well worked move.

Dissapointing, but after Tuesday, there was evidence that we can get back into a game. And we were a short while later. A cross by Manse from the left came to Bodin, who turned and fired inside the near post for 1-1.

We were on top at this point, and Morris nearly made it 2-1 but for another great save from Lillis. 
Downes then did make it 2-1, heading in from a corner. Another turnaround!

The excellent Niall Thompson then played Rene through on goal and it looked certain to be 3-1, but a heavy touch from the big man allowed the keeper to smother it. 

HT came and went and you felt we had to start putting away our chances. Thompson had a great solo effort saved, before Billy had a shot cleared off the line and hit the bar in quick succession. 

Rene eventually made it 3-1, before lobbing the keeper for 4-1 after abysmal defending from Dale.  

Downes then gave away a penalty, after Rene gave away a free kick for some silly off the ball antics, and was sent off for a professional foul. Seemed a little needless with the score line as it was. Still, Pokey saved brilliantly, and went on to make a string of brilliant saves to see the game out. Rochdale made
it 4-2 with a slick move, but it was all too late.

A cracking result against a decent, attacking Rochdale side!

Poke: 8 - little to do, but the saves he made (including the pen) were awesome.
Oastler: 7 - very steady and assured. Again, little to do, but did it confidently.
Saah: 6 - shaky I thought and caught out a few times. Not his best game.
Downes: 8 - exceptional until the sending off. Nothing got past him and he was first to every ball.
Nicho: 7 - Quiet by his standards but did nothing wrong.
Thompson: 9 - we've got a hell of a player here. Like a young Kuffour. Gave Dale a torrid time and deserved a goal.
Easton: 7 - solid and broke up attacks very well. Impressed
Manse: 8 - captain fantastic. Just sublime once again. Was everywhere.
Morris: 6 - Hmm. Did some things right but equalled it out with some poor work as well. 
Bodin: 9 - Awesome. Constant threat, took his goal well and should've had a hat trick.
Howe: 9 - Sensational again. Won everything and took his chances brilliantly.

[Rach]

What a game!

So many chances, should've been about 6-3!

Thoroughly enjoyed it even if I was freezing cold, very impressed with Niall Thompson and Pokey had a great game too

I think the sending off was extremely harsh, but i'll see what it looks like on the football league show later

The atmosphere has improved so much with the new stand! Used to be dreadful apart from the few on the pop and now it's brilliant!

Still need to fix that tannoy system in the bench though!

[bengull]

Some of our football was a joy to watch today. As Jeff said, from their goal up until the penalty we were sublime and could have scored as many as we wanted if for slightly better finishing. Thompson didn't looked overawed by the occasion at all, looked right at home in league football and a constant threat. Billy ran them ragged on the otherside and the new streamline Rene was a menace and his second goal was beautifully taken.

After the penalty we looked clueless and had Pokey to thank for maintaining our lead, he looks back to the goalkeeper we were all over the moon about securing, and Nico's and Easton's clearances were important and worth noting too.

Downes got himself into a bit of a muddle and hauled down their lad when clean through, in my mind the ref had little option but to brandish the red card. Luckily Poke made a fantastic penalty save though because based on the way we imploded thereafter I don't think it would have ended 4-2.

With a very disconsolate Downes looking on from the tunnel we proceeded to defend way too deep and then lump the ball long and just hope Jarvis performed miracles by feeding off scraps. It was never going to worked. Don't think it was too clever taking all 3 of the front 3 off, between them they had reduced Rochdale to a quivering wreck at the back and we had nothing going forward without them. As Rochdale pushed forward in such a cavalier manner looking for more goals their pace on the counter was sorely missed.

Still an excellent 4-2 win, 5 points is a decent tally from 3 difficult games and an exciting afternoon's entertainment.

Poke 9- far more confident, excellent shot stopping.
Oastler 7- steady as ever at right back, less so in the centre, a no-go in the future.
Saah 8. Collossal, could play at a higher level
Downes 6. Stellar performance ruined by penalty abboration, a real threat at set pieces.
Nico 7 better dead ball delivery today, a constant forward outlet, important clearance off line.
Morris 7. Industrious for most of the match, lacked composure in last 10 when needed it the most.
Mansell 7. Better performances from all round makes the skipper less noticeable than last season, still nothing less than indefatigable and vital.
Easton 6. Struggled early on with simple passes going astray, broke up play well second half.
Thompson 9. Had the beating of the left fullback, bags of pace and confidence, deserved a goal. A real star in the making.
Howe 9. Could have had a hat-trick, 2 superbly taken goals, link up play superb, MOTM (must curb discipline, nearly a stupid red)
Bodin 8. A constant threat, slightly wasteful when in good positions, well taken goal and nearly shattered crossbar in the second half.

Officials 6. Some excellent examples of letting the play run for advantages, very nearly sensible officiating ruined by 2 incorrect off-side decisions and at least 2 blatant hand balls that weren't punished severely enough.

Atmosphere 8 a big well done to those involved.

Roll on Vale Park.