Dodds

[The People's Hero]

I've just spent quarter of an hour or so doing some research on various Rochdale messageboards.

No one seems overly enamoured with him.

The general consensus is that he might turn in to a decent player but doesn't possess anywhere near the goal threat required right now. Comments suggest he looks lively but often loses the ball and his attitude is less than perfect.

I'm not slating the lad and I would personally reserve judgement to having seen him play. I suspect he might go on to get a contract at Rochdale and who knows? He's young enough to improve yet.

I just don't think the clamours for him to be playing up front for us are justified right at the moment. Needless to say, the time at Rochdale will be doing him good anyway.

Just thought I'd update you all as to what the Rochdale fans think, rather than what Thracian thinks having not seen the games in question and relying on notoriously poor BBC reports.

[Fez of Mahrez]

Any links mate?

[The People's Hero]

I can give you links to the messageboards themselves mate.

There is hardly a thread specifically about him, you need to kind of scan through all the topics.

I'll post some links to some messageboards for you.

I basically just found them by typing 'Rochdale' & 'Messageboard' in to google.

I'd say they're generally speaking impressed enough to want to keep him. Just that he's hardly setting the place alike, like other posters might have us believe.

[Manwell Pablo]

I can give you links to the messageboards themselves mate.

There is hardly a thread specifically about him, you need to kind of scan through all the topics.

I'll post some links to some messageboards for you.

I basically just found them by typing 'Rochdale' & 'Messageboard' in to google.

I'd say they're generally speaking impressed enough to want to keep him. Just that he's hardly setting the place alike, like other posters might have us believe.

What are you on about Louis Dodds is turning Rochdales season around.

They won again on Saturday, I say again even though they lost on Tuesday to emphasise my point. So Dodds must of made a contributiion, even though he was pulled off the field in the 82nd minutes and the both goals were scored shortley after he came off. I think he must of assisted both.

[Thracian]

I've just spent quarter of an hour or so doing some research on various Rochdale messageboards.

No one seems overly enamoured with him.

The general consensus is that he might turn in to a decent player but doesn't possess anywhere near the goal threat required right now. Comments suggest he looks lively but often loses the ball and his attitude is less than perfect.

I'm not slating the lad and I would personally reserve judgement to having seen him play. I suspect he might go on to get a contract at Rochdale and who knows? He's young enough to improve yet.

I just don't think the clamours for him to be playing up front for us are justified right at the moment. Needless to say, the time at Rochdale will be doing him good anyway.

Just thought I'd update you all as to what the Rochdale fans think, rather than what Thracian thinks having not seen the games in question and relying on notoriously poor BBC reports.

I don't need Rochdale fans to confirm or otherwise how good Dodds is. I've watched him for several seasons and have said on lots of occasions that he's an understated player anyway.

All Dodds needs is to get really sharp again. He's had three matches now (other than short cameos) and that's all he's had really for months. It takes time for players to be right after long periods out - Fryatt and Wesolowski and good examples.

I might have been rash enough to refer to a BBC report but that has nothing to do with my overall assessment of Dodds. At worst he could be an excellent back-up striker at Leicester and given people with belief in him instead of people like you he will score goals regularly at whatever level he plays.

So far, in reality he's got one goal and one assist in three games for a team who haven't lost since he's been there or when he's played. Nothing conclusive there whatsoever but hardly a disheartening record given that he's at least a month off full sharpness.

Dodds eternal problem will be that, even when sharp, he's not an eyecatcher so people like you will probably never appreciate him. But, to me having seen him lots of times, 65 goals in three seasons and the variety of those goals, make him a player I'd love to have in a squad of mine at almost any level.

And his attitude has always seemed fine to me as well as his general ball control.

His lack of matches might well have affected that control but that's hardly to the etriment ofa potential Leicester striker, is it.

Horsfield, Hammond and even Hume at times have the deft control of epileptic stick insects.

[The People's Hero]

I don't have any lack of belief in Dodds.

I'd like to make that perfectly clear.

I just wanted to give people a bit of balanced perspective. To a lot of people, all they hear about Dodds comes from you. I'm just giving another perspective.

I haven't seen him play so I can't express an opinion on how good he is or isn't.

[Manwell Pablo]

I don't have any lack of belief in Dodds.

I'd like to make that perfectly clear.

I just wanted to give people a bit of balanced perspective. To a lot of people, all they hear about Dodds comes from you. I'm just giving another perspective.

I haven't seen him play so I can't express an opinion on how good he is or isn't.

I have

I can

He's not that good

He's found his level.

Oh look theres another perspective!

[Fez of Mahrez]

So far, in reality he's got one goal and one assist in three games for a team who haven't lost since he's been there or when he's played.

This is where you do yourself no favours. They lost 3-0 last Tuesday at Shrewsbury and he started and played nearly an hour.

As for the bit about people having no faith in Dodds, there's a difference between defending certain players to the hilt, bending the truth to the verge of propaganda (hello Levi and Elvis!) and relaying what the fans of a loanee's team have said about the player on recent form.

This is becoming exactly like Sheehan's loan at Mansfield. I wonder if you'll dump Louis too if he doesn't score again before the end of the season.

[Thracian]

I don't have any lack of belief in Dodds.

I'd like to make that perfectly clear.

I just wanted to give people a bit of balanced perspective. To a lot of people, all they hear about Dodds comes from you. I'm just giving another perspective.

I haven't seen him play so I can't express an opinion on how good he is or isn't.

I'm genuinely pleased to hear that and would emphasise that my "clamouring" on behalf of Dodds is more a reflection on the fact that I believe he is a better striker than Horsfield anyway, a more natural striker than Hammond and should be involved regularly from the bench at the very least in view of our lack of an effective second striker.

If, as might be argued with Stearman this season, he is found wanting and ineffective, I will be quite happy to join others in saying so.

But he needs to be judged on strike-rate/assist rate not on artistic appearance. I likened him to a fledgling Allen Clarke (in style not ability) because he has a languid look about him rather than the all-action style of Hume which is always so much appreciated but not necessarily more effective.

Another thing I like is players who seem to win. Dodds was always part of a successful Academy team, we won with him in pre-season friendlies, Northwich's result improved when he was there and Rochdale's have been excellent too.

My point here is that sometimes players have more effect than is always apparent. I don't know if that' the case with Dodds but would sure like him to be given proper opportunity to provide the answer.

That is all, nothing more. I don't think he's the greatest striker on earth. I just think he shows signs of being a natural finisher and see no reason why that ability would desert him at Championship level because he doesn't depend on speed or strength or dribbling skills. It's his eye for the goal that is his strength - and his accuracy when he sees a chance.

[The People's Hero]

I'm genuinely pleased to hear that and would emphasise that my "clamouring" on behalf of Dodds is more a reflection on the fact that I believe he is a better striker than Horsfield anyway, a more natural striker than Hammond and should be involved regularly from the bench at the very least in view of our lack of an effective second striker.

If, as might be argued with Stearman this season, he is found wanting and ineffective, I will be quite happy to join others in saying so.

But he needs to be judged on strike-rate/assist rate not on artistic appearance. I likened him to a fledgling Allen Clarke (in style not ability) because he has a languid look about him rather than the all-action style of Hume which is always so much appreciated but not necessarily more effective.

Another thing I like is players who seem to win. Dodds was always part of a successful Academy team, we won with him in pre-season friendlies, Northwich's result improved when he was there and Rochdale's have been excellent too.

My point here is that sometimes players have more effect than is always apparent. I don't know if that' the case with Dodds but would sure like him to be given proper opportunity to provide the answer.

That is all, nothing more. I don't think he's the greatest striker on earth. I just think he shows signs of being a natural finisher and see no reason why that ability would desert him at Championship level because he doesn't depend on speed or strength or dribbling skills. It's his eye for the goal that is his strength - and his accuracy when he sees a chance.

I don't doubt that Thracian...

But why are you SO defensive about Dodds?

I was just updating the FT users of the impression I came away with having read the comments of some Rochdale fans.

If you don't like their comments, I suggest you take it up with them and not I.

[Thracian]

This is where you do yourself no favours. They lost 3-0 last Tuesday at Shrewsbury and he started and played nearly an hour.

As for the bit about people having no faith in Dodds, there's a difference between defending certain players to the hilt, bending the truth to the verge of propaganda (hello Levi and Elvis!) and relaying what the fans of a loanee's team have said about the player on recent form.

This is becoming exactly like Sheehan's loan at Mansfield. I wonder if you'll dump Louis too if he doesn't score again before the end of the season.

Sorry about missing the Shrewsbury match - it was not intended I simply wasn't aware of it.

But on your broader point I don't feel like "dumping" of the players you mentioned. I am quite happy that Hammonds goals/assists have played a significant part in us being where we are and not a damned sight worse off.

Levi has had an excellent season so far overall making a considerable contribution, SDheehan has virtually disappeared off the scene, quite possibly because of persistent niggling injuries and the substance of what I've said about Dodds stands up well enough.

All argument about Academy players relates to the level of people who are regularly being selected in our first team today not to whether they would be anywhere near the decent City sides of yesteryear.

Gradel is not the finished article by any means but would he have done better than Sylla, Low, Hughes, Newton? In 20-30 minute spells, probably yes.

Would King have done better in attacking midfield than Hughes or Jarrett?. It is hard to imagine him doing worse.

Would Sheehan (if fit) been a letter left back than Maybury or Kenton. No question in my mind.

Would Dodds have been a better striker than Horsfield and a suitable option for Elvis? No doubt at all.

Porter has had a fairly consistent and effective season all round although I still think we need his creativity in central midfield perhaps more than on the wing.

I'm not really a "dumper" of players. I wouldn't "dump" Maybury for Saturday's and other cock-ups. I would play him where he should be at right back and try and give him some focus back. He's underperofrming right now and there has to be a reason for it just like Stearman and one or two others.

[Manwell Pablo]

Sorry about missing the Shrewsbury match - it was not intended I simply wasn't aware of it.

But on your broader point I don't feel like "dumping" of the players you mentioned. I am quite happy that Hammonds goals/assists have played a significant part in us being where we are and not a damned sight worse off.

Levi has had an excellent season so far overall making a considerable contribution, SDheehan has virtually disappeared off the scene, quite possibly because of persistent niggling injuries and the substance of what I've said about Dodds stands up well enough.

All argument about Academy players relates to the level of people who are regularly being selected in our first team today not to whether they would be anywhere near the decent City sides of yesteryear.

Gradel is not the finished article by any means but would he have done better than Sylla, Low, Hughes, Newton? In 20-30 minute spells, probably yes.

Would King have done better in attacking midfield than Hughes or Jarrett?. It is hard to imagine him doing worse.

Would Sheehan (if fit) been a letter left back than Maybury or Kenton. No question in my mind.

Would Dodds have been a better striker than Horsfield and a suitable option for Elvis? No doubt at all.

Porter has had a fairly consistent and effective season all round although I still think we need his creativity in central midfield perhaps more than on the wing.

I'm not really a "dumper" of players. I wouldn't "dump" Maybury for Saturday's and other cock-ups. I would play him where he should be at right back and try and give him some focus back. He's underperofrming right now and there has to be a reason for it just like Stearman and one or two others.

Judgeing by the Crewe match you would have to saw off Mayburys right foot in order for him to be as bad as Sheehan.

[Thracian]

Judgeing by the Crewe match you would have to saw off Mayburys right foot in order for him to be as bad as Sheehan.

Yes, I was on pretty firm ground. :D

[Jonbluefox9]

I think Thrac comes in for a bit of unfair criticism at times. Basically all he's said about Dodds is give him a go and see how he does for us. It's hardly an unfair request seeing as though he's done well at every level at this club (and that is a fact). Instead of letting a successful youth product get 10 or15 minutes from the bench we've seen players who've been banned from football for months being drafted in to make brief appearances and a journeyman on loan make very little impression. And he's right about Dodds fitness. You can't expect someone to all of a sudden set Rochdale alight having sat on his backside for months. It's his first taste of league football too so all things considered it doesn't sound like he's doing too badly there.

[The People's Hero]

I think Thrac comes in for a bit of unfair criticism at times. Basically all he's said about Dodds is give him a go and see how he does for us. It's hardly an unfair request seeing as though he's done well at every level at this club (and that is a fact). Instead of letting a successful youth product get 10 or15 minutes from the bench we've seen players who've been banned from football for months being drafted in to make brief appearances and a journeyman on loan make very little impression. And he's right about Dodds fitness. You can't expect someone to all of a sudden set Rochdale alight having sat on his backside for months. It's his first taste of league football too so all things considered it doesn't sound like he's doing too badly there.

That's not the issue JBF.

Thracian does himself no favours with his constant exaggeration of how good these players are.

He champions the cause of one for a little while, then gets bored with them and chooses another.

I'm not doubting Dodds ability nor am I confirming it, I don't know. I'd let his football do the talking though and Rochdale fans don't seem as impressed by it as I might expect if I had taken Thracian's adulative ramblings seriously.

[Thracian]

That's not the issue JBF.

Thracian does himself no favours with his constant exaggeration of how good these players are.

He champions the cause of one for a little while, then gets bored with them and chooses another.

I'm not doubting Dodds ability nor am I confirming it, I don't know. I'd let his football do the talking though and Rochdale fans don't seem as impressed by it as I might expect if I had taken Thracian's adulative ramblings seriously.

You are the one who exaggerates. Including the idea that I've somehow got bored with or gone off players. I've not changed my view on any of the young players I've mentioned.

The only thing that's really changed is that Sheehan seems rarely in the picture and I have to presume that's because of the niggling injuries mentioned by JBF and others on occasions.

As for adulation - it is simply not in my nature. I've met stacks of famous people - really famous people, not second/third grade footballers- and have never felt adulation for any of them.

Admiration and respect is another matter...

[Jonbluefox9]

That's not the issue JBF.

Thracian does himself no favours with his constant exaggeration of how good these players are.

He champions the cause of one for a little while, then gets bored with them and chooses another.

I'm not doubting Dodds ability nor am I confirming it, I don't know. I'd let his football do the talking though and Rochdale fans don't seem as impressed by it as I might expect if I had taken Thracian's adulative ramblings seriously.

Football supporters often exaggerate though. If you were an Arsenal supporter coming on here after Ryan Smith's first few games for us you would've thought he was absolutely amazing when in fact he's ended up going on loan to Millwall in League one now. And yes, Thrac exaggerates a bit too but what he says most of the time makes sense. Why should some of our first teamers get chance after chance despite under-performing when we've got some young players who have performed at every level internally who get over looked all the time? What more do you have to do to get a chance at a football club? Hope that a bug works its way through all the senior members of the squad leaving a door open? I think we'd still end up bringing in a striker on an emergency loan if that happened ahead of playing Dodds.

[The People's Hero]

Ok then Jon.

You and Thracian are right. Several consecutive Leicester managers and coaching teams are wrong.

It's a wonder you're not being paid a fortune within the beautiful game.

[Jonbluefox9]

Ok then Jon.

You and Thracian are right. Several consecutive Leicester managers and coaching teams are wrong.

It's a wonder you're not being paid a fortune within the beautiful game.

Hard to argue with that statement looking at where we've finished in the league for the last few seasons!

[moseeds]

Any idea what has happened to Sheehan? How can a player be cast aside like that?

[Hullfox]

I basically just found them by typing 'Louis Dodds & crap footballer' in to google.

Surely with that search TPH, you're only going to find the answers you want.................

[Jonbluefox9]

Any idea what has happened to Sheehan? How can a player be cast aside like that?

Injuries as far as I know. I'm sure he would've played some part this season if he was fit and I know Kelly went to at least one match to watch him play when he was on loan at Mansfield so he was keen to keep tabs on him.

[The People's Hero]

Surely with that search TPH, you're only going to find the answers you want.................

I'm not sure how you did it but........

Please don't share anything else about my 'search history'.... please....?

[Simi]

Great shout for a first post.

[The People's Hero]

JenAllen - author of 'how to make as much sense as JoeB using less words'.