We take a look ahead to Saturday
Rochdale play hosts at Spotland for the second time in week and after victory over Oxford United a similar result against promotion favourites Fleetwood Town would be very welcome indeed.
While the result over the U’s brought a welcome end to a two match defeated run in the League, the performance was something manager John Coleman wasn’t too pleased about.
“It wasn’t a particularly overly impressive performance against Oxford”, said Coleman. “ We told the players before they went out that the result was paramount, we want passion and commitment from the players and no one can have any complaints on that score.”
The introduction of George Donnelly in the second half certainly changed the game for Coleman’s side and will give the manager food for thought this weekend.
“He did really well when he came on, he scored, laid one on for Bobby Grant and supplied a good chance for Jason Kennedy and considering he was only on for 20 minutes it was a good return.”
Mickey Mellon’s Fleetwood Town arrive having just put Chesterfield to the sword on their travels on Tuesday night to push the Cod Army into third place in the league.
Fleetwood’s away form this season is excellent with just one defeat in the league all season. Bradford City blotted the form book in August and the Dale manager is hoping Dale can add their blot on Saturday.
“They are a good strong side and have just themselves into the automatic promotion places and we know they have a big budget. However, having a big budget and doing something with it are two totally different things and they have done well this season and have made the transition to the league quite well.
“We met in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy earlier in the season but that won’t have any bearing on the game as we will have two different sides out.”
Skipper Peter Cavanagh and George Donnelly will be looking forward to crossing swords with their former employers and Craig Curran has completed his three match suspension and will be available for selection.
Ray Putterill is still out with a groin problem along with longer term absentees Reece Gray and Matty Edwards.
Fleetwood have added to their ranks signing Swansea City full-back Curtis Obeng on loan until 23 December. The 23-year-old is yet to play for the Premiership side but is expected to go straight into Micky Mellon's squad to face Rochdale.
Mellon has a couple of injury worries added of the game with defenders Steve McNulty and Shaun Beeley classed as doubtful. Midfielder Damien Johnson is also struggling with a hamstring strain and he too is a doubt.
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