Brian Barry-Murphy is confident his players will react to defeat against Bristol Rovers, as Rochdale prepare to host promotion chasers Ipswich Town.
Paul Lambert’s men travel to the Crown Oil Arena for the first time ever on Bonfire night, looking to return to the top of Sky Bet League One.
However, Dale boss Barry-Murphy believes his side will use Saturday’s game as a learning curve heading into this fixture.
“We are coming up against one of the top teams in the league,” he said.
“It is a great chance for us to test ourselves and they will be coming here on a high.
“It is a test for our lads to come back from defeat against Bristol Rovers when we felt we should have won.
“The reaction will be there. Our group of lads and very difficult to keep down for long periods and they will bounce back.
“We will approach this game in the exact same manner as we have all season.
“The Bristol Rovers game is a learning curve and we will focus on honing in our defensive skills and limiting the opposition to as few chances as possible.
“Bristol had very little attempts on goal and we managed to lose the game.
“In previous weeks we have won games – against Bolton and MK dons – where they have had more chances and we have managed to defend them brilliantly and not give away goals.
“I am very wary of focusing on one defensive aspect – such as set plays, because there are lots of games where teams should score and don’t.
“You can’t always control the way that happens.”