The first Fans Forum with Brian Barry-Murphy as first team manager was held on Monday evening, and we review the questions that were asked on the night.
The first question referred to training facilities. The club had pre-empted the question by revealing details of the facilities at Rochdale Cricket Club. Previously, the club have used the cricket club but it is now more of a base for the players. Rather than training at the complex whilst using Spotland as the base (that involved walking through the club car park, through holes in fences both at Spotland and Redbrook), the base is now purely at Redbrook. The club have brought in a Chef. This is having big improvements in the atmosphere in the playing staff. Further details of the training complex can be found here. The two pitches used are in an excellent condition and are maintained by the Football Club’s grounds staff. The club continue to have use of Platt Lane, the former Man City training complex and the Soccer Factory.
The defensive issues which saw us concede more goals than any other side in the League was brought up, reasons behind that and what has been done to improve matters defensively. BBM responded by saying that one of the big issues last season was not just conceding goals but conceding multiple goals in the same game. He said changes had been made to the defensive structure, with new goalkeeper Sanchez being a key signing and Eoghan O’Connell would prove to be a major signing for the club.
The goalkeeping situation was questioned as to where it left Josh Lillis. The response from BBM suggested that Sanchez would be starting the season as first choice keeper and that it was up to Josh Lillis what happened from here on in.
A lack of clock or electronic scoreboard was asked about, but the response was it was not currently in the club’s plans due to the costs involved. All money available goes into improving the first team or the infrastructure of the club. It was stated at this point that after a lot of work over the last few months, Spotland was back up to 100% capacity.
The next question saw the age of players discussed. BBM replied by saying the role of Wilbraham, McNulty and Henderson was as senior members of the squad invaluable. They added something that he as manager couldn’t replicate.
It was perhaps surprising that we reached this stage of the evening without the pitch being discussed. It was certainly something anticipated by the board who answered in length with regards to the pitch. In the past 2 or 3 years, the club have purchased two pitches from Premier Pitches. However, these have proved to be not good enough due to them being soil based pitches – the second of these pitches was not laid correctly.
PP decided not to continue their arrangement with the club, and the club had now gone with Idverde. Idverde are a big company who do pitches for Sheff Utd, Peterborough and Portsmouth in this country and have worked with Real Madrid and AC Milan abroad. The pitch is a Mixto pitch (details).
The drains were discussed. The issue was not the drains themselves, with 18 drains going the full length of the pitch. The issue was the water not getting through to the drains. The 2016 pitch was laid on ash not gravel which over time has took on a tarmac like feel not allowing the water to filter through. The mixto pitch involves grass laid on sand which is laid on carpet.
The pitch had been narrowed as a result of the pitch problems. It had been done with BBM’s blessing but the area in front of the main stand was notoriously a problem area and almost led to the Southend game being postponed last season due to being unsafe for the assistant referee and the players warming up.
The deal with kit suppliers Errea was asked about. The response was that we are one year into a new five year deal with them. The only items of kit currently unavailable from the club shop was shorts and socks of the junior pink kits but they were due in any day now.
Conversation returned to the defence and whether there would be any more recruits, temporary or permanent. BBM responded that any loan signing would have to be fully committed to the club, and he preferred permanent signings.
A possible return of Ethan Hamilton was discussed. Unfortunately, MUFC’s plans for the player’s progression made a return unlikely. He was sought after by many clubs following his spell with Dale last season, and United would prefer to see him at a Championship club or a top end League One side.
Calvin Andrew’s role within the first team was asked about and whether he was viewed as a defender or an attacker. BBM said that he was very much a striker but praised Calvin for the role that he did last season when asked to do a job defensively late on in games.
The progress of Ryan Delaney was questioned. BBM stated that he struggled last season due to an injury in preseason that left him behind the rest of the players. He was a player he thought was an excellent player but it was very much a stop start season for him. Unfortunately, he missed out when the team’s form improved last season.
Following the signing of Jimmy Ryan, would BBM be looking any more signings? He said that ideally he would be looking at more, saying the one thing he felt we were missing was a wide, fast player.
The PA system was questioned, stating that it was unlistenable in the Sandy Lane. The response was that it was serviced twice a year but this would be increased. Ideally the current system would be replaced but this would be very expensive to do.
Matters across the footballing world were questioned, given the problems with owners that clubs have at this moment in time. It was stated that at the EFL annual conference in Portugal that much to the disappointment of the Rochdale representatives it was taken off the agenda. There was concern for the other clubs but also for the impact it has on ourselves. The Bury fixture is worth £75,000 to ourselves, and with three home games against Bolton on the calendar, the situation will have an impact on ourselves.
The role of youth players was asked about, stating that some of the best performances came in the EFL trophy last season where many of the youth players were given an opportunity. BBM replied by saying that the smaller squad gave opportunities to them and they will be called upon. He said it was important that no pressure was put on them, hence their involvement in the EFL Trophy. They would be getting their chance and that age was certainly no barrier.
The Sunderland game was asked about and whether anyone would be moving seats within the Pearl Street to accommodate them this time. This would not be happening this time around and Sunderland’s allocation has gone on sale and is restricted simply to the Willbutts Lane stand.
The Chairman was asked a question about his role at the club. He said that his role was to ensure continuity, success and fun. Ambitions would always be to play at the highest level possible but at no stage would the future of the club be put in jeopardy to achieve that.
Finally and surprisingly, the final question of the night came from the top table and that was how we could achieve a better atmosphere at home games. The atmosphere at away games was praised highly but at home games was quoted as resembling a library. The lack of progressive football over the past two years was cited as one reason for that. Improvements to the home atmosphere was something the Board were very keen to improve.