With Dale's first friendly game at home to Everton just nine days away, Head Groundsman Phil Collinson took time out from looking after the pitch to talk about the recent nematode problem, and the plans for the next week or so to get the pitch ready for the pre-season friendlies.

Having discovered the Spotland pitch was suffering from a nematode problem, Phil and his team were very concerned about where it could leave the pitch. But, as Phil tells us, things are starting to clear up.

"We got the soil tests back and found out it was a nematode problem which we suspected. With that being the case we're glad we anticipated what it was and treated the pitch last week. We're going to put some more garlic down tomorrow and hope it carries on treating the nematodes like it has been doing. We were also happy with the way Sunday's rugby match went on the pitch. It held up well and it went as well as you can expect a rugby match to go for the pitch really."

With the home friendly against Everton getting ever closer, Phil talks about the plan for the pitch in the build-up to the game.

"As I say we'll be putting garlic down on the pitch again to help with the nematode problem, but the main thing is just maintaining the pitch by cutting it, watering it, etc. We're also hoping to thicken the grass out over the next week to make it a little stronger and firmer. Everything is looking good in preparation for the game and hopefully our main concern over the nematodes will die out in that coming week."

Although Spotland is of main concern to Phil and his team, he also has to work on the training area at Bowlee. With the players returning from Spain at weekend, is everything still on course for them to start their training at the Bowlee site?

"Everything is going fine at Bowlee. We're going over there this afternoon to keep it neat and things, and hopefully when the players come back from Spain for their first training session they can use the Bowlee area for that."