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Rochdale Preview

By: Rob and Simon
Date: 11/09/2006

BUOYED by their win over Walsall and a much improved performance, the Mariners travel to Spotland to take on a Rochdale side who have struggled so far this season.

Home > 2006-2007 Season > Previews > Rochdale (a)


The Opposition

Town can only improve on their last three away performances, where they have lost every game and are yet to score. Rochdale in comparison also have a miserable recent record, having lost their last 4 games 0-1.

Overview
Management team Steve Parkin (left) and former Mariner Tony Ford transformed Rochdale from favourites for relegation into promotion contenders in the first half of last season. However the sale of Grant Holt to Forest in January saw Dale drop points in 2006, and they finished a disappointing 14th place, five places below their final 2004/2005 placing, but only 10 points off the play-offs.

The rot has continued this season as Steve Parkin's team are currently lying in 23rd place, and have only picked up 3 points from a possible 21.

Their Squad
Goalkeeper Matthew Gilks signed as a trainee in 2000. The 24-year-old is the number one 'keeper and has played every game this season for Dale. Former Grimsby Town defender Simon Ramsden signed for Dale in January 2006 on a free transfer, and the former Sunderland centre back has also started every game this season, playing at right back. Alongside Rambo at the back is Nathan Stanton (left), who signed from Scunthorpe during the summer. Left back Alan Goodall signed from Bagnor City in the summer of 2004 for on a free transfer and eventually replaced another ex-Town defender Tont Gallimore at Spotland.

In midfield John Doolan joined Rochdale from League One outfit Blackpool in January. The Liverpool-born player has played every game this season, getting on the score sheet in the 3-2 defeat at Doncaster Rovers in The Carling Cup. Gary Jones signed from Barnsley in 2004 on a free transfer and he has scored one goal this season against Hereford from the penalty spot.

French striker Morike Sako made the long trip from Torquay in the summer but has yet to find the net this season.

Key Player
Chris Dagnall (left). Chris signed from Tranmere Rovers in the summer on a free transfer, having spent four months on loan with Dale last season. This year he has only managed to scored one goal, away at Accrington. He poses a threat to Town's leaky defence.

Recent Form

TownRochdale
WWalsall(h)2-1
DMacclesfield(h)1-1
LBury(a)0-3
LCrewe(h)0-3 (CC)
DMansfield(h)1-1
Currently 15th in League Two.
LWalsall(h)0-1
LTorquay(a)0-1
LSwindon(a)0-1
LNotts Co(h)0-1
LDoncaster(a)2-3 (cup)
Currently 23rd in League Two.

Top Scorers

TownRochdale
Peter Bore4
Dagnall1
Doolan1
Jones1
Rundle1

Team News

TownRochdale

  • Veteran Peter Beagrie is expected to be passed fit after limping out of Saturday's win over Walsall. His replacement Peter Bore will be pressing for a starting place after coming on and scoring the winner.

  • John McDermott may get the nod over Gary Croftat right back, having fully recovered from an injury.

  • Michael Reddy and Gary Cohen are both long-term injuries.

  • On-loan centre back Martin McIntosh is expected to shake off a groin injury and continue in the team in his final week at Blundell Park.
  • Rochdale have doubts over Simon Ramsden and Nathan Stanton. The pair came off against Bristol Rovers at the weekend with tight hamstrings and will be assessed before Tuesday to see if they are fit enough to play.

    Probable Teams

    TownRochdale
    1Phil Barnes
    2John McDermott
    3Tom Newey
    5Nick Fenton
    17Martin McIntosh
    18Peter Bore
    12Ricky Ravenhill
    8Paul Bolland
    10Ciaran Toner
    19Gary Jones
    7Isaiah Rankin
    1Matthew Gilks
    2Simon Ramsden
    18Nathan Stanton
    21James Sharp
    12Alan Goodall
    5John Doolan
    12Gary Jones
    19Lee Crooks
    26Morike Sako
    16Keith Barker
    9Chris Dagnall

    Subs

    TownRochdale
    20Gary Croft
    6Justin Whittle
    26Andy Taylor
    11Peter Beagrie
    16Danny Boshell
    4Ernie Cooksey
    3Mark Jackson
    20Clive Moyo-Modise
    7Darrell Clarke
    11Adam Rundle

    Head to Head

    Grimsby have a good record against Rochdale both home and away and have only lost three times at Spotland in 30 matches.

    P 39 W 21 D 7 L 11 F 73 A 51

    Rochdale Head-to-Head (7th on The Opposition Ladder)

    Last Meeting

    Back in March Town threw away the chance to claim top spot in League 2 with a goal deep into injury time salvaging Rochdale a point in the re-rearranged (twice!) game at Spotland.

    Grimsby Team: Mildenhall, McDermott, Futcher, Whittle, Newey, Cohen (Mendes, 57), Kalala, Bolland, Toner, Reddy (Jones, 89), Jones
    Subs (not used): Croft,Goodfellow,Parkinson,

    Rochdale Team: Gilks, Jackson (Boardman, 75), Griffiths, McArdle, Gallimore, Ramsden (Cartwright, 68), Doolan (Dagnall, 87), Jones, Cooksey, Christie, Lambert
    Subs: (not used) Kitchen,Warner

    Attendance: 1,865  Report

    Prediction

    Town have yet to score away. Rochdale have lost their last five games and not won at all this season. Something has to give, but not much!

    A 1-1 draw

    Reader's POMs

    Directions

    Click on the link for directions to Spotland (left).

    Pubs and Grub

    Click on the link for pubs near Spotland.

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